Post: #26

Thanks for all the advice it's appreciated. Currently I've signed up for a free word press blog and messed around with layouts and stuff, added some text but not really any solid content yet. I'm probably better forgetting all about this and getting signed up with hostgator now.

Looking at hostgator now and seems as though can use wordpress or even wiki software to create site. How difficult is it for someone like myself, with next to no webdesign knowledge, to set up a wiki style site? The interactive factor of wiki appeals as it means anyone can edit and add information but not sure if it'd be too tricky for me to work with. Opinions?

Post: #27

You can probably ask them to install it for you. I'm not sure if it is there as an option on the CPanel. Just open up a Live Chat and ask, they are quick and helpful.

Post: #28

(01-03-2012 05:13 PM)Ribbed Wrote:  KoS, I'd reallysuggest, if you haven't, getting some content pinned down on a good domain, with solid hosting sorted, and then workout a theme. Content is king really stands true. The themes on any of my sites have been work in progress for over a year and they just keep looking better.

Plus, the fact that A theme on a blank new site will definitely look completely different to a theme with content coming from all sides, and it will change the way users interact with it.

Don't say the theme is holding you up, the fact is, as lonG as it looks half decent for now and the content is good, people will keep coming, work on the theme, don't let it dominate.

I was going to make a long post about premium and custom themes, but Ribbed pretty much nailed it. Don't worry about the theme right now, worry about the content.

Between now and the time when your premium/custom them is ready, you could be writing content, getting viewers interested, and becoming more visible to the search engine. Just make sure that your site isn't too distracting/annoying (e.g. loud sounds, flashing images) and it is easy to read (no colors that hurt your eyes when you try to read the content) and you will be set.

This really isn't the old model of web design, where you are spending a lot of money up front for a design and it will be difficult to change later, so it has to be PERFECT the first time. Once loaded, it takes 5 seconds to switch between different themes. People change wordpress themes the way women change shoes.

Post: #29

Yeah I'm going to focus on content firstly then worry about design later when the content is more solid.

What do you think on using a wiki style of website? The option is there with hostgator and an interactive website that anyone can add info to suits the type of site I'm trying to create. Does anyone have any experience with this type of website, is it difficult to maintain or a newbie like myself? going to go chat to hostgator now but would like an unbiased opinion or two also.

Post: #30

(01-04-2012 11:22 AM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Yeah I'm going to focus on content firstly then worry about design later when the content is more solid.

What do you think on using a wiki style of website? The option is there with hostgator and an interactive website that anyone can add info to suits the type of site I'm trying to create. Does anyone have any experience with this type of website, is it difficult to maintain or a newbie like myself? going to go chat to hostgator now but would like an unbiased opinion or two also.

In my experience, HostGator are fantastic at giving impartial advice on the whole. Tell them your needs & abilities and they match a solution pretty well.

IIRC, the wiki they use is media wiki, give it a google. It is relatively easy to use, harder to customise though in the way of choosing themes. I used it as a practice a while back and was disappointed with the customisability. However, it is a very good wiki, if you have ever edited a wikipedia article, it is the same.

Post: #31

Yeah they use mediawiki. So it probably isn't going to look very good but it would be easy for others to add content. Need to think about that and work out what would be best.

If I went for the wiki route and decided it wasn't working out could I easily switch over to wordpress and move the content or too difficult?

Post: #32

Not easy to move the content; best way is Copy and Pasta really. Mediawiki and Wordpress serve different purposes, but on top of that, content isn't really transferable in such a way between platforms. By way of example, moving (say) this forum to another forum software is more accomplishable since they both fulfil the same sort of task(s). Both have users, both have post counts, both have forums sections, etc.

E.g if you had a wiki page on say Text Game, then the only thing you could really do would be to Copy all that content and just paste it to a new Wordpress post, if that makes sense. There is no simple (if at all?) database swap for all content because of the differences between the two.

Post: #33

Yeah the live chat at Host Gator just confirmed that too. From what I've gathered from them it will be difficult to modify or customise a wiki at all, basically just upload a logo and make a few slight changes if anything so I need to work out if I want a custom theme that only I can add information to or a wiki which looks a bit bland but anyone can add information to.

Decisions, decisions.

Post: #34

As long as there a few experts on this thread now, do you guys have any recommedations for my site ? have a look.

I changed quite a lot last night.

I appreciate all answers and criticism

Post: #35

Doesn't look like much has changed, design wise, Neil. Possibly a few extra social media widgets for FB, Twitter, Google + etc but aside from that don't seem much else different from last time I looked/

Post: #36

(01-04-2012 11:10 AM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Thanks for all the advice it's appreciated. Currently I've signed up for a free word press blog and messed around with layouts and stuff, added some text but not really any solid content yet. I'm probably better forgetting all about this and getting signed up with hostgator now.

Looking at hostgator now and seems as though can use wordpress or even wiki software to create site. How difficult is it for someone like myself, with next to no webdesign knowledge, to set up a wiki style site? The interactive factor of wiki appeals as it means anyone can edit and add information but not sure if it'd be too tricky for me to work with. Opinions?

If you got a free wordpress site then you should know it is against tos to use if for commercial endeavors. I am assuming you mean wordpress.org free blogs. They can close it down.

Cool idea to use it to view layouts but I would host your own blog for complete control once you start posting.

Post: #37

(01-04-2012 12:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  As long as there a few experts on this thread now, do you guys have any recommedations for my site ? have a look.

I changed quite a lot last night.

I appreciate all answers and criticism

It looks fine Neil. I would worry more about posting then taking up a day messing around with the layout.

Post: #38

(01-04-2012 12:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  As long as there a few experts on this thread now, do you guys have any recommedations for my site ? have a look.

I changed quite a lot last night.

I appreciate all answers and criticism

My honest opinion:

-Looks outdated, the pale colours on each other & the simplicity remind me of something from the late web 90's!
I'm no replacement for your own tastes but i'd suggest adding some life to the pages, and making it a bit clearer between posts (possibly with a theme that has headers for each post title). Updating your subscribe button on the right would be nice.

-Reduce your sharing icons to 4 or 5 popular ones; your site looks quite popular so you should know which ones are used.

-Dislike your banner, could be a bit smarter. TBH, maybe just changing this would change my opinion on all the above mentioned points.

Post: #39

I got a shit load of themes that I purchased with resell rights. If anyone needs one let me know what type of blog you want to run and I will see if I got any that may fit. Shoot me a pm, no costs of course.

Post: #40

(01-04-2012 02:01 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  If you got a free wordpress site then you should know it is against tos to use if for commercial endeavors. I am assuming you mean wordpress.org free blogs. They can close it down.

Cool idea to use it to view layouts but I would host your own blog for complete control once you start posting.

OK, it definitely makes sense to forget about a free wordpress blog and opt for my own website on hostgator and just use the wordpress software if need be. Cheers for the heads up.

Post: #41

(01-04-2012 12:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  As long as there a few experts on this thread now, do you guys have any recommedations for my site ? have a look.

I changed quite a lot last night.

I appreciate all answers and criticism

Neil,

The money is in the list, as they say. Especially if you plan on selling a book, promoting products, coaching services, whatever. Check out my site, FightStyle.net, even though it is a bit fucked as of last night because I upgraded to WP 3.3 and gotta get someone to fix a couple small things. But look at my email signup form to the right, and also at the end of each post like here: http://fightstyle.net/submission-light-gi-giveaway/

That is one thing I would change on your site. Because as of now, your email signup form gets lost in the mix. There are some plugins out there you could use, or hire someone on Odesk.com create you one for pretty cheap.

Good resource to check out: http://socialtriggers.com/email-signup-f...uild-list/


Another small change I would make is to add an image to each post on your homepage. Right now without any images everything is kind of meshed together, and there is nothing to really grab your attention to each post. Adding an image, kind of like they do here: http://www.lifestylebusinesspodcast.com/, I think would make your posts stand out more and look more "alive".

Look into your color scheme as well. Most sites will use 3 colors that work well together. I'm a fan of white/blue/black, with white being my main color, blue being that color to make things "pop" and black as my text and borders. Your site is basically all in blue, making it look kind of mundane and again, meshes together.

I think you have good content, and it is an interesting site. You could do something with it in the future for sure.

Post: #42

Cost of setting up a website?

7 bucks for the domain name, get free hosting, install wordpress.

Post: #43

(01-04-2012 01:56 PM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Doesn't look like much has changed, design wise, Neil. Possibly a few extra social media widgets for FB, Twitter, Google + etc but aside from that don't seem much else different from last time I looked/

Well its a lot of small stuff.

- i added the social media widgets
- got rid of the girl counter on the right and put it in the header
- added a youtube vid box
- added email sign up, the last one didnt work properly
- edited the catagory list a bit
- spam blocked sign ( dont know if i keep it, it has no use)
- captured flag page has minor changes

still have to update the travel page and add more pictures in the pictures page.
Today im gonna look into more plug inns and thats the last of it for now. On to a lot of writing.

Post: #44

(01-04-2012 02:03 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(01-04-2012 12:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  As long as there a few experts on this thread now, do you guys have any recommedations for my site ? have a look.

I changed quite a lot last night.

I appreciate all answers and criticism

It looks fine Neil. I would worry more about posting then taking up a day messing around with the layout.

You are absolutely right, i've been home for 12 days now and haven't written a thing. busy with getting my life back together,unpacking boxes, hanging out with friends and quite frankly being lazy on the writing.
Today i will work on the website some more and then start with the writing again.

Post: #45

(01-04-2012 02:06 PM)Ribbed Wrote:  

(01-04-2012 12:56 PM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  As long as there a few experts on this thread now, do you guys have any recommedations for my site ? have a look.

I changed quite a lot last night.

I appreciate all answers and criticism

My honest opinion:

-Looks outdated, the pale colours on each other & the simplicity remind me of something from the late web 90's!
I'm no replacement for your own tastes but i'd suggest adding some life to the pages, and making it a bit clearer between posts (possibly with a theme that has headers for each post title). Updating your subscribe button on the right would be nice.

-Reduce your sharing icons to 4 or 5 popular ones; your site looks quite popular so you should know which ones are used.

-Dislike your banner, could be a bit smarter. TBH, maybe just changing this would change my opinion on all the above mentioned points.

A 90's site is a bit harsh i think but thats your opinion. i will add some life to the posts that's a good idea.

Im gonna change the banner someday but need my buddy for that. He is not the fastest guy in the world to do something for me. but its free.

I dont have much knowledge of website buildingbut try to learn a bit each time i updat the website.

Thanks for your opinion.


@ RIONOMAD

Thanks for the info. I just added a new email sign up but i will surely look the options provided in your link http://socialtriggers.com/email-signup-f...uild-list/

Also the idea of making the post morely lively with a picture is good. i will look into this also in the future. its a lot of work to change all the stories but i will do it. first i want to finish most things today and start writing again, i still have 70 or 80 stories coming.

Post: #46

(01-04-2012 04:57 PM)germanico Wrote:  Cost of setting up a website?

7 bucks for the domain name, get free hosting, install wordpress.

Where do you get free hosting?

Question about using wordpress software on your own domain / website. Is it still blog style or more designed to website style? A blog really doesn't suit the type of website I'm trying to create.

Post: #47

(01-05-2012 07:54 AM)KingofScotland Wrote:  

(01-04-2012 04:57 PM)germanico Wrote:  Cost of setting up a website?

7 bucks for the domain name, get free hosting, install wordpress.

Where do you get free hosting?

Question about using wordpress software on your own domain / website. Is it still blog style or more designed to website style? A blog really doesn't suit the type of website I'm trying to create.

Don't get free hosting, full stop!

Post: #48

(01-05-2012 09:46 AM)Ribbed Wrote:  

(01-05-2012 07:54 AM)KingofScotland Wrote:  

(01-04-2012 04:57 PM)germanico Wrote:  Cost of setting up a website?

7 bucks for the domain name, get free hosting, install wordpress.

Where do you get free hosting?

Question about using wordpress software on your own domain / website. Is it still blog style or more designed to website style? A blog really doesn't suit the type of website I'm trying to create.

Don't get free hosting, full stop!

Thats right. Pay up for hosting, even cheap hosting is safer and more reliable than the best free hosting.

But if you are on a dime, try 000webhost.com, or byethost.com, they both run free hosting without ads. If you are setting up a blog or simple site to drive traffic, its worth a shot. But keep in mind that its free, so their customer service is "if something breaks,fuck you, you should have paid"

000webhost is better, and works great until it breaks, then its useless as you wont have a chance to fix it and customer assistance wont even loook your way if you try to ask what is going on. Byethost is crappier and has a shittier interface, but is safer in my opinion. However, they have more restrictions on "free" accounts (to try to get you to get paid hosting) so, if you are trying to set up a commercial website, its not a good option.

But if you are seriously trying to make money online, you should go all the way. You can get good hosting from 4 dollars a month, that shouldnt break your bank, and if you cant even make enough to cover your costs, you shouldnt bother anyway.

Post: #49

(01-05-2012 07:54 AM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Question about using wordpress software on your own domain / website. Is it still blog style or more designed to website style? A blog really doesn't suit the type of website I'm trying to create.

I prefer wordpress because its easy to install (takes 5 minutes!) and you can make it look like anything with a few tweaks.

What type of site do you want to set up? Can you give an example?

Post: #50

Wordpress can be used for damn near any type of website. The blog looking sites are just your basic Wordpress setup. TONS of sites you read are probably running on Wordpress you just never knew it. Wordpress is without a doubt the way to go for most sites, IMO.