[MA0458]

I'm thinking of setting up my own marketing/consulting business and I've got to have a web page.

I know Quark and Photoshop. When I had a REAL job I had been lusting after Creative Suite, but as a, er-hem, person, don't know if I want to spend the bucks.

So: how hard is it to set up a decent, simple site, and what should I use? I think I started learning Dreamweaver, but ya know, they all look alike to me after a while...

 

[tba-golfer]

You should PM Ridge and whisper sweetly into his ear.
:wink:

 

[Tbirdnz]

Exactly my thoughts TBA when I read Mare's post. He's probably the best on this forum. (Mare will have to tidy up her garage for any partnership there though !)

----------------
Ride on !

 

[Strontje]

If you want to do it yourself, I'd say use Dreamweaver. Otherwise, use Ridge.

 

[brolane]

All these programs are good, but if you want to learn about a web page, buy "HTML For Dummies." Then you will understand what you're doing.

 

[Ridge]

Aw shucks, you guys. :blush:

Mare, Dreamweaver is the ONLY way to go. I highly recommend it. You might still want photoshop to create or tweak graphics for the site.

I do most of my site design work in Photoshop to get the general look & feel first. Some like Illustrator for this but I find it too limiting for my design style.

Like any program worth a darn, Dreamweaver has a learning curve. But as you already know, you don't have to know everything about a program to get things done.

I'd be happy to help ya if you have any questions or concerns.

Good Luck on your new biz! :upthumb:

 

[MA0458]

Wow! thanks Ridge!

and Oh, yeah, right, I forgot to write this in my first post: should I get a web guy to do it?

Somebody here quoted me approx $350 for a simple site. Is that about right?

How much does Dreamweaver cost? I'm thinking I should learn it, bcs my business will be marketing, and bcs my "fine art" site would be constantly changing.

 

[Ridge]

I charge around $7000 for a very basic site!

Naw, don't get a web guy (that only charges $350). Unless he's really good but doesn't know it yet! Have you seen any of his work?

Since you're not afraid of programs like photoshop and others, I think you can definitely learn Dreamweaver.

The upside is that you will always be able to maintain your site yourself without having to pay others for it. The "HTML for Dummies" recommendation by Brolane is a good one. Even with Dreamweaver or any site development tool, you will want to play with the code a bit and it helps to know what you're looking at.

Dreamweaver 8 sells for $399.

[ This message was edited by: Ridge on 2007-01-31 18:00 ]

 

[HiDesert]

Just GREAT. THANKS, folks. Now I have that b!oody song (Dreamweaver) stuck in my head. I'm off to find a nice, hard wall to beat my cranium against.

 

[Shawn]

Mare,

If you're willing to learn things on your own, Dreamweaver is an excellent way to start.

If you want to spend a little less, and are not afraid to do some coding on your own, go to CoffeeCup Software. Their HTML Editor is very close (and in some respects better) than the tool I primarily use; called HomeSite.

 

[CYNCRZR]

Mare -

How ya doin ? been awhile. If your site is gonna be "static". That means the content is "display" only , and doesn't need any "programming" to capture and store data from your customers... then in the long run your better off doing it yourself, that way you don't have to rely on others & your wallet when you need to change things.

If however you need an "Interactive" site with a shopping cart, or other forms of data collection, you migh save yourself a ton of headaches, and have a "Professional" do it for you.

As "Ridge" says, be wary of the guy who'll do it for chump change. It's way too easy for amatuers with a little knowledge to sell themselves off as "Professionals" when there just not up to the task, and make a mess of things that in the end you'll have to give the boot to.

The old adage "Ya gets what ya pays for" is pretty much true in this industry.

Best 'o Luck to ya on your newest endevour ? How's the B&B comin along ?

 

[SCCTrim]

coffeecup is capable to say the least, I used it while managing a site for a former hobby of mine.

Good program, easy to use.

 

[MA0458]

Hi all. I just went to Adobe's site to order. Just a quick question: Will Dreamweaver (without the extra flash etc upgrades) let me get emails directly from my site?

Cyncrzr, will write more later on Trumpet Cabin!

 

[ravnhaus]

No problem. Just put a MailTo link on your site. You will love Dreamweaver, after a little learning curve.

 

[themaster]

Setting up a site is easy, making it look good isn't. You can do it yourself and I'd recommend you give it a good ol' try, but seriously think about what the result looks like, and do it objectively. Remember, you're trying to sell yourself - your website needs to reflect who you are or what you're selling.

If you go down the self route, do yourself a favour and draw out what you want it to look like first. The difficult part is coding the site layout and making it consistent. You've then got a plan to build to (and/or give to a web designer if you give up, saving you some money).

Happy to help in anyway I can.

 

[Ridge]

MA0458 wrote:
..Will Dreamweaver (without the extra flash etc upgrades) let me get emails directly from my site?

YES