Free Websites

[jitagon]

I need a small website for my online business. Only one product, so nothing too complicated. However, would like it to look a bit inviting

I have looked at a few free templates, and even tried, with not a little frustration and nil success, to set one up

Can anyone point me in the direction of something looks a bit professional (I know, get what you pay for, but some of those free templates look nice, if only I could figure out how to upload the photos and text without some box coming back at me telling me I haven't done it/have, but not right size etc. Reach for valium

Also, have made myself aware enough to learn that an html website better than the flashier flash, because of the web browsers being able to read text of course. How does all this work? In a nutshell Thankyou.

[Veazer]

You might take a look at Google Sites which Reimar recently posted about, it might suit your needs.

[Samuian]

as you already realised: "You only get what you've paid for!"

But try here:freehosting

The templates you may have to load in some software like Front page, Adobe or Dreamweaver, work them and then ftp the result to your host site... that is why people who know, ask for being paid for this service...

Edited May 30, 2008 by Samuian

[Veazer]

as you already realised: "You only get what you've paid for!"

But try here:freehosting

The templates you may have to load in some software like Front page, Adobe or Dreamweaver, work them and then ftp the result to your host site... that is why people who know, ask for being paid for this service...

I like zymic free hosting a lot, but they only allow certain file extensions and this can be a hassle. I tried to upload a zip file archive (ie xxxx.zip, xxxxx.z01, xxxxx.z02, etc.) but only the first zip file file was allowed because the other extensions are not whitelisted. They also don't allow your site to contact other sites, so if you try to use a content management system like Drupal it won't be able to check for updates, etc.

Still, as far as free hosts go their performance is very good.

[jitagon]

as you already realised: "You only get what you've paid for!"

But try here:freehosting

The templates you may have to load in some software like Front page, Adobe or Dreamweaver, work them and then ftp the result to your host site... that is why people who know, ask for being paid for this service...

Yes I knew I'd get the 'get what you pay for', but really, and I did actually train as an artist, fine and graphic, although unfortunately too far back for there to be web design and administration on the curriculum. And really, a lot of what I've seen 'for sale' here by way of design, I wouldn't pay for, even if it were within my budget. A lot of them, well, most of them, are bloody awful.

[wolf5370]

As far as the design goes, if you are skilled in graphic design, then why not story board it yourself and get someone at http://www.getacoder.com/ to bid on the work for you - a few static pages can be done real cheap in India etc from your own designs.

[sniffdog]

Anything business on a free website is a no-no .... web hosting /domain registration is so cheap nowadays, there is no need to give a cheap impression to your customers.

[Crushdepth]

Ok commercial hosting starts from US$1 a month. Don't send potential clients the wrong message.

[nikster]

As far as the design goes, if you are skilled in graphic design, then why not story board it yourself and get someone at http://www.getacoder.com/ to bid on the work for you - a few static pages can be done real cheap in India etc from your own designs.

Or iWeb....

[freitag1]

Seriously forget about free web hosting. Spend 5 bucks a month and get a real domain and webspace. This is not too much and everything else will look cheap and unprofessional.

[jitagon]

Thanks everyone! Invaluable advice as usual on this forum.

I agree that the free websites, although some of the templates look okay, do smack of cheapskate unprofessionalism. So will try out some of your suggestions. Thanks again

[Gary A]

I built a friend of mine a website. I think it was through a company called Homestead. They have a nice easy template and I must say the website looked good. The cost was a modest $10 a month after you paid the setup fee. Here's the catch. They really pushed buying a higher cost package that would promote your website. I refused to subscribe. I contacted all the most popular search engines and gave them the information required. In six months the site NEVER had a hit other than from the people who were given the link. It was a total waste of money and effort.

[klikster]

I have to echo what most of these folks have said and add 2 more points.

1 - For some of the "free" hosts, you don't have your own domain name. If your site is successful, you may not be able to move it intact (with search engine traffic) to a different server. If you start again with a new domain name, you lose a lot of your SE listings.

2 - Sometimes, people who have no investment will abandon a project pretty easily. If you own the domain name ($10/year) and have a paid hosting account (lots of cheap ones out there), you may well be motivated to spend more and better quality time generating a good user experience.

Learn basic HTML/CSS. Just search for "html tutorials" and you will find dozens of free tutorials. Don't dis other websites until you learn what is required to make a site look nice and function well. Learn how to do ftp uploads ..

.. and learn why a few 400kb images on your home page makes it load a bit slow ..

Although I don't build sites for other people, I have built 25+. It isn't as easy as it sometimes appears to be.

Edited May 31, 2008 by klikster

[Samuian]

Check them out: