Eenuh Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 So yes, I think it's time I start up my own website. Even though I don't have any new art to put on it, someday I might. Plus it would be good to show publishers etc. Thing is that I know absolutely nothing about website building and all the technical stuff that comes with it. I recently tried to design my own site, but basically gave up because it wasn't going anywhere and it just looked shit. =P So now I've been looking into WordPress templates and noticed lots of people use them. So I was wondering if something like that is any good? Would someone with no coding knowledge like me be able to adjust a theme like that? Or are there better options around? Also, I would need a webhost and domain name, right? Anyone know what a good one would be? The WordPress theme page I'm looking at are suggesting Dreamhost because I could get a discount or something, I think. But I have no clue what I even need and how much it'll set me back. Basically I want whatever is cheap but still decent. =P Basically I'm looking to make a site where I can post my art, some information about myself and maybe a shop, if that's even possible. So yes, tips for me please? =) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pookiablo Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 We use Wordpress for our site http://bnbgaming.com. We've made it look flashy but you can still make a nice looking blog with little to no prior knowledge http://thegamingenigma.wordpress.com is my own attempt at making a blog and it was very easy to do. You're a lot more artistic than me so your would be even prettier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cube Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Wordpress is easy to use without coding knowledge, but editing the theme may require a bit. I would recommend finding a free theme similar to what you want, and then you'll be able to edit the pictures and hopefully avoid coding. You can use extensions to add features you want without needing any coding, too. I made my (barely used) site - http://www.djcube.co.uk - by using a wordpress theme and changing a couple of small parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eenuh Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 Yeah I think I found a theme I could use. It seems to be mainly for posting art etc, so should suit me fine. Here's examples of how people use it: http://wpfolio.visitsteve.com/wiki/screenshots/wpfolio-user-showcase But yeah I hope it doesn't take too much fiddling around with to get to work, I really do suck at anything related to computers and technology. =P It's figuring out a host now that is kinda bugging me, as I have no clue what all of the terms mean which they keep throwing at me. D: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostOverThere Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 (edited) If you don't mind making a few posts to keep your account open, Frihost are very good. They offer 250mb space, 10GB monthly bandwidth, unlimited subdomains, unlimited email accounts for free and are just in general a really reliable host. So if you're interested in just trying something, I'd highly recommend them. If your site is successful, you can always move to a paid host in the future. Edited October 14, 2010 by LostOverThere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Wordpress + WPFolio looks good, I think that would suit what you're looking for really well. I'd personally steer clear of "FriHost"...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 At the moment I'm using http://www.tsohost.co.uk who seem to be quite popular at the moment. Decent prices for what you get. I used to use http://www.dataflame.co.uk and swear by them but they are slightly more expensive. Their customer support is fantastic - you get email responses within minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten10 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 At the moment I'm using www.tsohost.co.uk who seem to be quite popular at the moment. Decent prices for what you get. I used to use www.dataflame.co.uk and swear by them but they are slightly more expensive. Their customer support is fantastic - you get email responses within minutes. I've recommended tsohost here many times. I don't know if it still applies but adding the promo code TENPERCENT used to get you ten percent off for life. If you don't want to spend any money you could try using http://www.freehostia.com but I don't know how reliable they are. In addition to Wordpress perhaps consider: Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/ Posterous: https://posterous.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Dataflame are quite good, although my email tends to f up every few months. No idea how they compare though but been using them for 7-8 years and am quite happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Not to put a damper on the Wordpress buzz but I've found (at least with animation) artists tend to use blogspot (more for a blog with some stuff than portfolio but it can be used as that). Whether this makes a difference to your decision I don't know but I think they network themselves through blogspot. Or you could have both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eenuh Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 I already have a blog on Blogspot, but that is just to update on things. I'd also like to have an actual "site" as my portfolio, something I can link people to and say "Hey, you can check out my work here!". At the moment I don't really have anything I can point people to, so yeah. =) As for hosts, would it be okay for me as a Belgian to go with a UK host or does it really not matter at all where you're from? I mean, seeing as it's all online stuff anyway. =P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Our current server host is in America... :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eenuh Posted October 14, 2010 Author Share Posted October 14, 2010 So yeah, it doesn't matter then. =P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten10 Posted October 14, 2010 Share Posted October 14, 2010 Eenuh if you're dead set on using wordpress this resource will probably come in handy: http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2010/09/75-awesome-free-and-premium-portfolio-themes-for-wordpress.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 angelfire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReZourceman Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Freewebs is excellent IMO. Or consider paying someone to build one. Cos...you'll be a millionaire someday so it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eenuh Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 I'd love to have a professional design/program me something nice, but I'm as broke as broke can be sadly. And I don't think people accept "future money" I might make. =P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReZourceman Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 This site has a lot of talented folk.....if I could build a website, I'd love to accept a piece of artwork from you as payment. You could suggest that (if you were willing of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Actually that's a really nice idea, payment in pictures. If I could web author for shit I'd do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorty Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I'd love to have a professional design/program me something nice The designer should definitely be yourself. If you get some free time, why not throw together a design? Ignore basic standards/frameworks (except for a few things like... make the bulk of the text in a web-friendly font) and make something creative and artistic. There are people out there who might turn your design into a site just to boost their portfolio, or for very small fees (people make crazy offers on template forums). Look for inspiration on http://www.cssdrive.com/ http://browse.deviantart.com/designs/web/?order=9 http://www.csselite.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eenuh Posted October 23, 2010 Author Share Posted October 23, 2010 Oooh some lovely examples in there Shorty. If I ever have free time again (can't see any in the near future), I might give it another shot. You'll know when it happens when another "please help me!" thread pops up in here. =P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostOverThere Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I'd personally steer clear of "FriHost"...! Odd, I've used it for five years and have yet to have the slightest problem. What did you think was wrong with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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