Website Help

[Traestar]

Hey guys

I'm in the process of creating a website for my business and have been having trouble finding an appealing look for my business.

I'm still working out ideas, but attached is my layout example.
Its just to show what I plan to put on my page.

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I also wanted to know if its better to create the layout on Photoshop and host it on a site or use a program like NVU or Kompozer to create the site?

Thanks in advance for all your help

 

[Traestar]

Hello,

My honest opinion? The site looks very old, circa 1995. The images and fonts are too big, the outlines on your logo are too wide, the drop shadows on your text is too dark, or I should say not right for that kind of font.

You may be better off using one of the programs you mentioned. Photoshop can be a pain in the neck to learn. I would recommend that you read some tutorials on making sites. Use the programs untill you get better, and sharpen your skills. It wouldn't hurt to keep practicing, but do not practice on a site that is going live, a site that is representing you and your business.

I hope you don't take my opinions the wrong way, as it was not meant for that. I believe that honestly is the best policy.

Yea I kinda gave up on it

I've been looking at tutorials and everything
its just that I can't find a theme or color coordinate to work with

I may just use a template so I can get used to it.

BTW thanks for the honest opinion

 

[Traestar]

I've been looking at different templates, trying to get an idea across.

I go here to check
http://www.styleshout.com/free-templates.php?PHPSESSID=258e8330e93a62a2a3413af8cf558252

In the meantime, I'll still practice.

 

[chronage]

If you're short on time, learn by customizing a template or a popular css framework. CSS galleries are great for examples too. It will take you a while to be able to build a properly coded and visually pleasing site from scratch. Keep at it though!

 

[BioSpark]

Heya,

I started making sites back in 98 with my brother (back when AOL was king). It can be rough coming up with a good design, and even when you find one, you're never happy with it.

I think in order to start a good site, or even try to design one, you need to start with your logo. I was in between making logos (and having a writers block) when I came upon your post. So, I made a quick logo up if you chose to use it. If not, hey, it was fun doing it. If there's any advice I can give you on text, is try to never use a bold color behind another bold color. It looks very 1990's (as everyone put). Look in to Wordpress (http://wordpress.org/). I use it for all my websites, mainly because it gives the user the ability to edit content on the fly, so you don't have to know a lot of HTML to edit it all, plus theres like thousands of templates you can use and switch on the fly.

I came to the site to get help creating a repair business, and I'm finding out people want my services in web design. I've never really liked web design, but for it, it's helping me pay the bills.

Good luck, and if you need any advice on anything, feel free to PM me or reply here. I usually check the form once a day or so.

Keep on truckin!

EDIT: The image upload looks horrible on here, go to: http://www.cheerfultech.com/multi2.png to see the logo. If you want the psd I'll send it to you.

 

[Traestar]

Heya,

I started making sites back in 98 with my brother (back when AOL was king). It can be rough coming up with a good design, and even when you find one, you're never happy with it.

I think in order to start a good site, or even try to design one, you need to start with your logo. I was in between making logos (and having a writers block) when I came upon your post. So, I made a quick logo up if you chose to use it. If not, hey, it was fun doing it. If there's any advice I can give you on text, is try to never use a bold color behind another bold color. It looks very 1990's (as everyone put). Look in to Wordpress (http://wordpress.org/). I use it for all my websites, mainly because it gives the user the ability to edit content on the fly, so you don't have to know a lot of HTML to edit it all, plus theres like thousands of templates you can use and switch on the fly.

I came to the site to get help creating a repair business, and I'm finding out people want my services in web design. I've never really liked web design, but for it, it's helping me pay the bills.

Good luck, and if you need any advice on anything, feel free to PM me or reply here. I usually check the form once a day or so.

Keep on truckin!

EDIT: The image upload looks horrible on here, go to: http://www.cheerfultech.com/multi2.png to see the logo. If you want the psd I'll send it to you.

You're the second person to disagree with the Logo

Here's my other logo, you think I should stick with this??



or this ??



or this??





Your logo is good too, it's very simple

 

[Traestar]

BioSpark thanks for the advice

Yeah man, recently I have been looking at Wordpress.

I may just give it a try, I'm also planning on getting XMAPP (I think its called)
and start using servers. I'm going to need the experience anyway, because I'm going to be setting up networks, websites, databases, and multiple systems for businesses in the near future. Plus add depth to my procedure manual!

Thanks again!!

 

[BioSpark]

Sorry about the late reply, I like the first design you made better then the others. It is easy to read. As far as the size, I would reduce it a little, mainly because you want your logo to stand out but not stand out all over the page.

Looks good though, if you need any help with wordpress send me a PM, I've been working with it for the last couple years and I'm slowly starting to reread my PHP and MySQL books (fun). Same thing with photoshop, I've used it since I was a junior in high school in graphic design class. Though, theres something new to learn every time I start the program.

Oh! Before I forget, look at http://psdtuts.com/ it has step by step tutorials on how to create some pretty cool looking logo's. You do em enough times, just to fool around, and you'll eventually start picking up ideas for yourself.

 

[Traestar]

Sorry about the late reply, I like the first design you made better then the others. It is easy to read. As far as the size, I would reduce it a little, mainly because you want your logo to stand out but not stand out all over the page.

Looks good though, if you need any help with wordpress send me a PM, I've been working with it for the last couple years and I'm slowly starting to reread my PHP and MySQL books (fun). Same thing with photoshop, I've used it since I was a junior in high school in graphic design class. Though, theres something new to learn every time I start the program.

Oh! Before I forget, look at http://psdtuts.com/ it has step by step tutorials on how to create some pretty cool looking logo's. You do em enough times, just to fool around, and you'll eventually start picking up ideas for yourself.

Will do, thanks!!

that Photoshop tutorial I may need for making flyers, designs for my business cards, and other things!!

Again, thanks!

 

[Traestar]

Hey guys, sorry I haven't posted on this forum in a while

I've actually been buzy working on the website.

All I have to do is confirm which domain/web hosting site I will use and then I'm going to post my new business website.

Now I haven't created any themes yet and I did find a wordpress theme editor but I'm going to wait and see about the things I've added at this point.

As soon as I'm done, I'll send you guys the link!

 

[ProTech Support]

Honestly I would use HostGator as your host, there support and prices are great.

I think you are definitley on a better track using WordPress, but if you don't like that I would recommend "Joomla"...for an avg. of 65$ you can get some really prof. looking templates, and with some HTML + PHP knowledge you can customize the hell out of them

 

[K007]

Honestly I would use HostGator as your host, there support and prices are great.

I think you are definitley on a better track using WordPress, but if you don't like that I would recommend "Joomla"...for an avg. of 65$ you can get some really prof. looking templates, and with some HTML + PHP knowledge you can customize the hell out of them

I second that.
For around 60 + dollars, you get a template and cusomize it the way you like.

 

[Traestar]

Honestly I would use HostGator as your host, there support and prices are great.

I think you are definitley on a better track using WordPress, but if you don't like that I would recommend "Joomla"...for an avg. of 65$ you can get some really prof. looking templates, and with some HTML + PHP knowledge you can customize the hell out of them

I was deciding on whether to use HostGator or 1 and 1!
I may just end up using HostGator, I really like their deals plus they have a nice reseller option that I'm really thinking about right now.

I've heard about Joomla and will keep it in mind.

Another thing is Adsense that I've been thinking about adding
I'm considering using that for my business and my personal website from Wordpress.com/org

 

[layoric]

I use Drupal

Lots of stuff you can do with that for web hosting.

 

[thecoldone06]

I have heard horror stories about 1and1. From what I've heard their tech support is horrible as well as their uptime. I'd look more at HostGator.

 

[jaydude23]

HostGator

I am currently in the process of switching my website over to HostGator from from previous web host. I have read their customer forums on their website, and have read nothing but good things about them. Plus I like the fact that they are a local Houston based company.

 

[ProTech Support]

Yea they are an awesome company, I have been with them for about 3 years and have not one complaint...website never goes down , prices are great , and support is 24/7 - can't beat that.

If they were local for me I would even work for them , they are awesome, and apparently short on system admins lol

 

[Traestar]

That's interesting about the 1and1 story.

I'm going to go for that Hostgator reseller account and host my page on there as well as have my own hosting service.

Again I'll let you guys know how it goes

 

[Traestar]

Actually let me add that I'm also trying to get a remote support link on my page as well. I've been testing Ultra VNC Single Click with some of my friends and was unsuccessful at connecting. Any ideas??

I've already tried Tight, Real, and Ultra VNC at my home computers and they are successful, but its just connecting to a computer miles away that I have problems with despite all the instructions I followed.

 

[Flyingbull]

Actually let me add that I'm also trying to get a remote support link on my page as well. I've been testing Ultra VNC Single Click with some of my friends and was unsuccessful at connecting. Any ideas??

I've already tried Tight, Real, and Ultra VNC at my home computers and they are successful, but its just connecting to a computer miles away that I have problems with despite all the instructions I followed.

Probably trying to connect two natted routers. In that case you need to set up in intermediary point where they can connect, a server that is open to both side. There is a tutorial on the UVNC on how to set that up -- you will need a server that is wide open that can accept connections from both sides, if I remember correctly -- I would walk you through it but it was 2 years ago when I did , and I’m under a deadline (just saw it come through) so Have a good day everyone <waves hand>