Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: markspark on 08 November 2011, 19:29:05
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Hi guys and gals im looking to build a website for my electrical contracting company do you know of any free software out there that will help me as i dont have a clue where to start
TIA
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Windows notepad ;)
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Windows notepad ;)
somebody recommended that method to me also. they neglected to mention the 3" book from the library as well..
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ummmmmmmm
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I would just install a freebie content management system, tweak one of the default styles to suit your application and after that it's just a matter of logging in and typing.
The site content is then separated from the style and presentation so you can tweak it easily in future. It's stored in a database so it's easy to back up. Furthermore, you'll find plenty of plugins that you can attach should you require calendars, galleries, shops and forums later on.
I have done the above with both Drupal www.drupal.org (http://www.drupal.org) and Wordpress www.wordpress.org (http://www.wordpress.org). I would say Wordpress was the easiest to get up and running and the best suited for smaller menu-based or blog style sites. Drupal can cope with much more complex sites but is more of a pig to drive.
You will need hosting that can support a database and PHP.
Here's a Wordpress site that 2 of us put together in a couple of evenings for the local radio club. http://www.hogsback-arc.org.uk/ (http://www.hogsback-arc.org.uk/)
I should point out that I'm not a web developer although I'm pretty handy with a PC. Just couldn't believe we needed to get an "expert" in and, well.. we have a site that isn't spectacular but does the job IMHO.
One word of advice: Purchase and register your domain name separately and ensure you can manage it directly. Don't just get it lumped in with cheap web space. That way, if your hosting providers turn out to be a bunch of scrotes you can easily shift your site elsewhere and you won't find that it's actually registered to them and not you!
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I would just install a freebie content management system, tweak one of the default styles to suit your application and after that it's just a matter of logging in and typing.
The site content is then separated from the style and presentation so you can tweak it easily in future. It's stored in a database so it's easy to back up. Furthermore, you'll find plenty of plugins that you can attach should you require calendars, galleries, shops and forums later on.
I have done the above with both Drupal www.drupal.org (http://www.drupal.org) and Wordpress www.wordpress.org (http://www.wordpress.org). I would say Wordpress was the easiest to get up and running and the best suited for smaller menu-based or blog style sites. Drupal can cope with much more complex sites but is more of a pig to drive.
You will need hosting that can support a database and PHP.
Here's a Wordpress site that 2 of us put together in a couple of evenings for the local radio club. http://www.hogsback-arc.org.uk/ (http://www.hogsback-arc.org.uk/)
I should point out that I'm not a web developer although I'm pretty handy with a PC. Just couldn't believe we needed to get an "expert" in and, well.. we have a site that isn't spectacular but does the job IMHO.
One word of advice: Purchase and register your domain name separately and ensure you can manage it directly. Don't just get it lumped in with cheap web space. That way, if your hosting providers turn out to be a bunch of scrotes you can easily shift your site elsewhere and you won't find that it's actually registered to them and not you!
Can you give me a little more info on this please where would i buy a domain??
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One word of advice: Purchase and register your domain name separately and ensure you can manage it directly. Don't just get it lumped in with cheap web space. That way, if your hosting providers turn out to be a bunch of scrotes you can easily shift your site elsewhere and you won't find that it's actually registered to them and not you!
Top advice :y
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Can you give me a little more info on this please where would i buy a domain??
The only one I have direct experience of is EasyDNS https://web.easydns.com/ (https://web.easydns.com/) although there are plenty more that may or may not be a better bet for you. Here you can register a domain name and they will provide a DNS service only. In other words, you can register a domain name and point this domain name at a server anywhere on the internet, and can define servers for your email, web site and other services separately.
You can then go and get a web hosting account elsewhere, and point your domain name at it. I can't really recommend a web hosting provider, sadly, as the only one I have direct experience of have turned out to be scrotes. ::) Typically, £5 a month will get you something good enough to get you off the ground IME.
They will tell you that you want to get them to register the domain name, etc. to keep it under one roof. Believe me, you don't. Get them to configure a web hosting account for your domain name, but no DNS, then point your domain name at it.
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hi thanks for the help here will probably need more along the lines :y
but to be going on with am i on the correct track to register my name on a site like this http://www.ukreg.com/register-domains/available-extensions/
all i want is for someone to be able to type in search engine electricain bolton and it will come up with my web page somewhere on that search page then they can get my details
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UKReg are OK as are 1&1Internet - I use both of them for domain registration, domain parking and hosting. :y
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i have gone the ukreg route (fast-host) got the domain and basic host package not to build a site that will be started tomorrow night once i know where to start thanks for the help guys im a complete noob to all this stuff but willing to learn
thanks again where would i be without OOF :y :y
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If you are going to pay for a website host, troll around. :y
I have just cancelled my website host...bumped the price up to £70 odd per year, B*******s (Fasthosts)
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If you are going to pay for a website host, troll around. :y
I have just cancelled my website host...bumped the price up to £70 odd per year, B*******s (Fasthosts)
This is why you want control of your domain name and DNS. You can set up your site at another hosting provider and, once everything is tested, flick the switch and dump the previous provider with no downtime or arguments about whether they own your domain name or you do. ;)
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Spot on Kevin :y
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all i want is for someone to be able to type in search engine electricain bolton and it will come up with my web page somewhere on that search page then they can get my details
This doesn't have much to do with the domain name itself but requires ensuring that the search engines are able to find the appropriate keywords on your site, and encouraging them to rank it highly so it appears top of the list.
I'm really not an expert on that at all, but no doubt others will be able to advise. Failing that, search the web for some ideas on improving your site's ranking.
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I have hosted with uk reg also i get 15gig of space for £3 per month also website builder help program seems a good deal £36 for first year its half price atm but i will search around after that time i just put a few lines on last night as a start to get me up and running for now while i build the site up. the web design thing they give with the deal allows you to build a site and once your happy you make it live
have you any ideas what i can do on the site to make it look good
www.mabsecurityandelectrical.co.uk
This is what i got done last night just to get me up and running
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I too am moving loads of stuff away from Fasthosts due to pricing.
markspark, now submit that site to google, yahoo and bing. Do it manually, no need to pay someone for search optimisation, no matter how much they say it will help ;)
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being a noob to all this i thought it would go on to them sites when the site went live guess i was wrong have you any pointers on where to start jamie ??
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being a noob to all this i thought it would go on to them sites when the site went live guess i was wrong have you any pointers on where to start jamie ??
It may pick it up eventually, esp as its linked from here (Google, for example, scans about 6-10,000 of our pages a day). Baidu used to scan more pages than we actually have every week, stupid rather Chinese incompitent tossers.
Look on all search engines for how to submit a site - most require you to sign up to their (free) webmaster tools packages.
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I have hosted with uk reg also i get 15gig of space for £3 per month also website builder help program seems a good deal £36 for first year its half price atm but i will search around after that time i just put a few lines on last night as a start to get me up and running for now while i build the site up. the web design thing they give with the deal allows you to build a site and once your happy you make it live
have you any ideas what i can do on the site to make it look good
www.mabsecurityandelectrical.co.uk
This is what i got done last night just to get me up and running
Yep you need more than 1 page, your home page - use a menu system to navigate more pages, maybe an "About Us" page and a "Contact" page, and a "services" page. If you expand your site try to maintain your "corporate image" across all pages - maintain a theme (use CSS)
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hi guys im back with another question
when your putting keywords on a wesite ie areas in which you cover so that it comes up on the search engines
whats the best way to do this as i dont really want a bloomin big list of all areas that i cover inc there sub areas
thanks guys
sorry to keep bringing this one back up ::)
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Just off on a slight tangent what do you people in the know think about "get britain on line (GBOL)"? It is sponsord by Google and a few others. I registered with them a while back with the intention of building a website (which I haven't got round to yet) but intend to do shortly I got a free for two years domain name registered with them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I know diddley sh!t about stuff like this
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Hi guys im back with this again
can you please have a look at the web site and give your views or comments BAD or GOOD
Thanky you
http://www.mabsecurityandelectrical.co.uk/index.html
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UKReg are OK as are 1&1Internet - I use both of them for domain registration, domain parking and hosting. :y
And they certainly know how to charge while offering not a lot in return.
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Your site looks okay, you used "Trellix Site Builder" and your source code advertises this more than your own company.
I use 123 reg for domain registrations and for hosting there is Vidahost (https://www.vidahost.com/). Hosting is reasonably priced, basic package is £17 per year and there is a discount if you use a referrer so cheaper still. There is also plenty of advice on their forum regarding site building etc. Support is first class and they can be contacted by phone and numerous other methods.
As your a business I would register with the ukbusinessforums (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/) and ask for their input regarding your site and getting listed in the search engines. Add signatures in forums, get listed in web directories, put your web address on business cards etc. Use Google webmaster tools and analytics, there is adwords and adsense to play with, a steep learning curve, getting listed as a business is well worth the effort.
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Your site looks okay, you used "Trellix Site Builder" and your source code advertises this more than your own company.
I use 123 reg for domain registrations and for hosting there is Vidahost (https://www.vidahost.com/). Hosting is reasonably priced, basic package is £17 per year and there is a discount if you use a referrer so cheaper still. There is also plenty of advice on their forum regarding site building etc. Support is first class and they can be contacted by phone and numerous other methods.
As your a business I would register with the ukbusinessforums (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/) and ask for their input regarding your site and getting listed in the search engines. Add signatures in forums, get listed in web directories, put your web address on business cards etc. Use Google webmaster tools and analytics, there is adwords and adsense to play with, a steep learning curve, getting listed as a business is well worth the effort.
Thanks for the reply im sorry but the comment at the top has gone way over my head can you add further details please
im going to register with the advised site now thanks again :y :y
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One suggestion I would make is to make your e-mail address and phone number a little less machine readable (embed them in a GIF or add a "contact me" button that doesn't disclose your details). Otherwise, you will get spammed.
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One suggestion I would make is to make your e-mail address and phone number a little less machine readable (embed them in a GIF or add a "contact me" button that doesn't disclose your details). Otherwise, you will get spammed.
Good idea didn't think of that only problem is i dont have clue how to do it any advice ??
thanks
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just to add do you mean just the home page or the contact us page aswell ???
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Hi guys im back with this again
can you please have a look at the web site and give your views or comments BAD or GOOD
Thanky you
http://www.mabsecurityandelectrical.co.uk/index.html
Your web site takes ages load mate - that's not good for business. No problems with other web sites.
When using bullet points make sure all your tabs align - needs to look professional - look at your "Industrial Services" page. As others have said you could get spammed - suggest using cgi or formail scripting on your contact page.
On your Home page I wouldn't have used an image for the word "Welcome" - suggest using the same font/size/colour you use for headings on all your other pages.
As a Registered Member of The UK Web Design Association, I'm trying to be constructive - HTH
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Your site looks okay, you used "Trellix Site Builder" and your source code advertises this more than your own company.
I use 123 reg for domain registrations and for hosting there is Vidahost (https://www.vidahost.com/). Hosting is reasonably priced, basic package is £17 per year and there is a discount if you use a referrer so cheaper still. There is also plenty of advice on their forum regarding site building etc. Support is first class and they can be contacted by phone and numerous other methods.
As your a business I would register with the ukbusinessforums (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/) and ask for their input regarding your site and getting listed in the search engines. Add signatures in forums, get listed in web directories, put your web address on business cards etc. Use Google webmaster tools and analytics, there is adwords and adsense to play with, a steep learning curve, getting listed as a business is well worth the effort.
Thanks for the reply im sorry but the comment at the top has gone way over my head can you add further details please
im going to register with the advised site now thanks again :y :y
Kevins radio site is a good example what can be done with wordpress.
You have a few choices, learn from scratch (but that takes time). Pay a web designer to do the work, ask on forums for someone to setup or tweak your site in return for a link to their services.
The Vidahost forum has a few web designers who will likely help out with the cheaper option, anyway it costs nothing to ask ;D
Here is a handy tutorial site if you have a bit of spare time, it's very basic but hands on and will give you the general idea where to head.
http://www.pagetutor.com/index.html (http://www.pagetutor.com/index.html)
Follow the quick site guide on the left, just remember to concentrate on your business, web design as a hobby has a habit of eating up all your time.