Need a DIY website building site

[aj-images]

I'm looking to create a website and hope to find one with templates, as I don't know HTML. A big plus would be one that video capable. Any help would be appreciated. - Jim

 

[Gary Holliday]

If you can get your hands on some of the web design programs, Dreamweaver, Adobe GoLive etc will write the html for you. A google will find you plenty of ready made templates.

 

[Steve Smith]

If you are also looking for free web hosting, try freewebs.com

My photo site and valve audio site (links below) are with them. I used to use geocities.com but they put a sidebar full of adverts on each page. All freewebs ask for is their own advert at the bottom of each page. Have a look at one of mine to see what I mean.

They also have templates.


Steve.

 

[aj-images]

Thank you for the info and the links, it's greatly appreciated! - Jim

 

[DBP]

My sister has been developing hers on Googlepages.

 

[Reinhold]

If you have a Mac, iWeb is a no-brainer for creating your own website. Some may argue that a professionally designed site is the only way to go, but iWeb suits me just fine. Judge for yourself...

www.classicBWphoto.com

Reinhold

 

[wilsonneal]

If you're PC only, and you let Yahoo host the site, you can use their free tool Yahoo Sitebuilder. It's not great, but it's easy. Try a search on Yahoo for "Sitebuilder".
N

 

[winger]

From iWeb, are you using .mac to host or something else? I ask because of the domain name.

 

[aj-images]

I'm using a PC. I did use Yahoo's sitebuilder for my last sight, which was great, but I also want to shoot video of the places I photograph and would like to incorporate it if possible. Thanks again - Jim

 

[sdivot]

Check out Visual Server

Jim,
Check out Visual Server. It's pretty simple to set up and photographer/artist friendly.
My Visual Server website is: www.scdowellphoto.com
Let me know what you think.
Steve

 

[Reinhold]

From iWeb, are you using .mac to host or something else? I ask because of the domain name.

I'm using my local ISP, Quik.com, and uploading the files using Transmit.

Here's where you can get Transmit: http://www.panic.com/transmit/

Reinhold

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I use bigblackbag.com. I have three sites with them.... www.thepicturedesk.ca, theweddingphotographers.ca and bigcameraworkshops.com

 

[Cheryl Jacobs]

My websites are all through homestead (www.homestead.com) which is basically a drag-and-drop sitebuilder. I've learned to plug in a few basics scripts and such, and have no trouble adding video and other media.

I'm working on updating my sites right now, so they're a little messy.

www.cheryljacobsportraits.com
www.cheryljacobsphotography.com

 

[catem]

I used googlepages for my website - it is extremely quick and easy. I wanted mine to be very simple, and a sampler rather than loads of images, but you can do quite a lot of different things with it. Not certain about videos...

Having said that, it was meant to be for a couple of months only whilst I built a site with Dreamweaver - over a year later I still haven't done it. I have, though, begun in earnest over the last month or so!

It suits me, but I would say you have to be prepared to put time in with Dreamweaver if you know little or nothing about constructing sites. It's been a steep learning curve, and does take a bit of time. Dreamweaver does make it easy for you, although I would add that you will inevitably wish or need to get to grips with HTML - or I have - the best way to use it I find is to use the split screen mode. Although Dreamweaver will do all commands for you, realistically it is helpful to be able to edit the code aswell - sometimes it gets top-heavy when changes are made. Having said that I'm sure it is possible to build a site with it without knowing any HTML - but learning the amount you would need is really not complicated at all. It's all very intuitive, the help facility is very clear, and that with possibly another reference book is all you would need. I decided I didn't want flash on my site, but using flash is straighforward also (you can import a commercially available set-up if you want).

Sometimes I think I should have just gone for a template, but... I am personally enjoying the process - it becomes a creative endeavour in itself, and you have absolute control over every and any change you may wish to make. I hope I'll get there before too much longer, but (for me) I think it will be worth it going through the process. A lot of the hard graft you put in, of course - sorting and sizing images, deciding on the flow etc., and deciding on the text you want to add - you have to do however you choose to construct your site.