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[Tony Hadley Contribution Level: 2]

Can anyone help me with web hosting? I want to start using my own web sites and need a little help with how hosting works. I have numerous domain names with GoDaddy so, I'll probably use that service, unless someone knows an easier/more functional/etc. service.
Will I also need to get an HTML editor such as Dream Weaver, or some WYSIWYG software? Or, since I'm new at this, should I outsource it to someone or some service to do it? Thanks for any help.

Tony

[Bruce Reid Contribution Level: 2]

Hi Tony,

In regards to web hosting, you may want to checkout, hostgator.com
There are a lot of top marketing experts who use and recommend this
service above all else.

I have used them in the past and am seriously considering moving back
with them, once my current hosting contract expires. I think these days
most host providors have built in website editor's, that gets the basic
Job done.

I would recommend that you at least get to know know basic html. A good
editor I can point you to http://www.cdearth.com/web-page-design-studio.htm

Hope this helps you out
Bruce

[susan coils Contribution Level: 4]

Hi Tony

There are lots of good hosting providers and don't think there's too much difference in price between most of the bigger ones. If you're not very techie, then you might want to consider a smaller, more personal service. First provider I used (and still do,) was Low-cost Webspace. Not as many bells and whistles but one on one service and the owner talks me through when I get stuck. If you do decide to get in touch, just tell them I sent you.

As for creating your website, again this depends on how techie you are. With a WYSWYG you can download free templates to use and then change them to your own preferences, but if there's any problems with formatting or such like, then you can find yourself taking ages to get it right. I like 'fiddling' with mine and it's something I want to master so I wouldn't go for outsourcing, but if this isn't your cup of tea, then I'd check it out. Weebly is really simple to use and once you've completed your site, you can download it, and then upload to your own server.

Good luck.

[Nathaniel Johnson Contribution Level: 6]

I would consider checking out wordpress.com and getting a goof file transfer program like filezilla. If you already have the hosting service get wordpress and you'll have everything you need to get started on a great website

[Boel Stoddard Company: Enagic USA, Inc. Contribution Level: 2]

If you intend to host multiple sites I also highly recommend hostgator. You can host an unlimited number of sites for one low price.

Dreamweaver is a great program. As to outsourcing, you would have to make the decision on whether that is the right choice for you. I prefer being in charge of designing my sites, and I want to be able to update and create new pages whenever I want to, without having to wait.

[Tony Hadley Contribution Level: 2]

Thanks for all the responses. Hostgator sounds like a popular site for hosting. Does that come with an editor? From San's post, I could just download what I created in Weebly and put it in my own site? That sounds pretty simple. I've used Weebly and it seemed somewhat easy, even for a newbie.
Any recommendations on a WYSIWYG editor?

Tony

[Josh Thomas Contribution Level: 3]

Hey There Tony,

Hostgator is the way to go if you ask me.

As for editors, a good WYSIWYG/HTML editor to start with
is KompoZer. It is open source (free) software.

You can do many of the things that DreamWeaver does
without the cost. The only drawback is sometimes you run
into a bug here and there, which is usually fixed by saving
the page, closing down and restarting. This doesn't happen
too often.

Getting your KompoZer pages from your desktop to the internet
is a snap with FTP clients which are also open source.

I noticed that it has been a little while since this post, so if you are
still looking around, I have attached a video on how to navigate
HostGator effectively when starting out...



There's A LOT of good stuff on there, but you really only need a couple
of things to get your site up and running.

I also have some resources on FTP and KompoZer. If you are still needing
a little guidance, get in touch with me and I'll share what I have.

Good Luck to you.

[Tony Hadley Contribution Level: 2]

Thanks for the info Josh. I went with HostGator and am still working on the websites. Still trying to figure it all out. I'll check out Kompozer. Any ideas on a capture page theme? Thanks.

Tony

[Josh Thomas Contribution Level: 3]

Theme?

As in color scheme, etc.?

If that's what you're asking, I would stick with 2 or 3
basic colors. Nothing too fancy. In my experience a
good LCP laser targets the visitor's focus on the message
and not on how pretty the site is.

Sorry if this isn't what you're asking. Can you elaborate?

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

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Smart choice with Host Gator Tony, my personal preference as well.
Sounds like you may be using Wordpress, hence looking for a theme.
If so, here a couple of my favorite sites to find sweet themes:

http://www.blogohblog.com/
http://www.themestudio.us/
http://www.freethemelayouts.com/

Try Searching For: Free Premium WordPress Themes

For a paid solution check out: http://www.studiopress.com/
Brian's themes are sweet.
I own them all and frequently use them as "starters" for my client projects.


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