I fully accept all flaming/trolling that will come with this topic, but I feel like I can get my questions answered as well. So here we go:

I feel that I am computer/internet proficient...but far from an expert. Other than any computer/tech classes that I took as a business major at State and having to use my laptop every day for classes in law school, I have no formal or informal training in regards to constructing or designing websites. I'm just on the computer/internet a lot...but I haven't done much technical work with it.

My current girlfriend is an idiot with most things dealing with computers and the internet. She's a chef and a bartender. Went to culinary school and has used a Point of Sale system at a restaurant more than a regular computer. She just recently purchased her first computer at the age of 26 (a laptop...not desktop).

She designs jewelry on the side...and makes great stuff. When she brings her stuff out in front of people, she never fails to sell at least a couple pieces, but usually sells more. She wants to make business cards and put up booths at our local farmers market, but I advised her that she needs to get a website to put on her business card first.

I've got some tech/internt savy friends that make websites. I've seen their stuff and it's great. Most of it is a little more than she would need, but I know they wouldn't charge me too much to do something small. However, I'd like to try and make the website myself for two reasons: (1) to save money...even if it is a couple hundred bucks, I'd like to not spend it if I don't have to, and (2) I'd like to see if I could do it.

What's the feasibility of me making a good website for her to promote her jewelry and possible using it to sell on later (like setting up paypal and shit like that)? If you guys think I am capable of putting together a decent site...what are the steps I should use?? Is there cheap/free software I can use?? Etc...

Help me out guys!

5/3/2010 3:35:14 PM

I am a fan of http://www.squarespace.com

5/3/2010 3:37:47 PM

Learning to do this on your on, you're going to invest a lot of time and energy into something that you'll probably never use again.

Just pay someone to do it right.

--

And I'm not trying to douche up your thread, but there's nothing worse than a professional client who doesn't want to spend any money at all. You spend money to make money. Your 10 minute geocities site is going to look like shit and scare off business.

[Edited on May 3, 2010 at 3:40 PM. Reason : ]

5/3/2010 3:38:05 PM

Quote :

"And I'm not trying to douche up your thread, but there's nothing worse than a professional client who doesn't want to spend any money at all. You spend money to make money. Your 10 minute geocities site is going to look like shit and scare off business."

QFT


especially since you can write that shit off come tax time

5/3/2010 3:42:27 PM

PS Hire me

5/3/2010 3:44:07 PM

What about a site like Etsy.com?

5/3/2010 3:45:47 PM

I came in here to post etsy as well.

5/3/2010 3:49:23 PM

Quote :

"I feel that I am computer/internet proficient...but far from an expert. Other than any computer/tech classes that I took as a business major at State and having to use my laptop every day for classes in law school, I have no formal or informal training in regards to constructing or designing websites. I'm just on the computer/internet a lot...but I haven't done much technical work with it."

+

Quote :

"What's the feasibility of me making a good website for her to promote her jewelry and possible using it to sell on later (like setting up paypal and shit like that)? If you guys think I am capable of putting together a decent site...what are the steps I should use?? Is there cheap/free software I can use?? Etc..."

= I would strongly recommend AGAINST doing it yourself. Putting together a good/decent web site is not equivalent to putting together a word document or powerpoint presentation.

You are going to have to spend money regardless...hosting, domain registration, etc.

If you insist on doing the 'do it yourself' route I would suggest setting up a wordpress site. http://www.wordpress.org and getting yourself a nice clean theme. http://www.woothemes.com <- some are free but the good ones are worth the money.

[Edited on May 3, 2010 at 3:56 PM. Reason : but allow shaggy to come in here and say otherwise ]

5/3/2010 3:52:08 PM

I would try to find some site that handles all that stuff for you, kind of like an ebay store or something. But if you still want to do you're own site, i agree just do like woordpress or something and steal a design u like from somewhere.

5/3/2010 4:12:45 PM

I would also recommend that she just make a site on http://www.etsy.com

5/3/2010 4:58:52 PM

oh ya. ^ just do that.

5/3/2010 4:59:32 PM

google sites isn't bad if you don't need anything real complex

5/3/2010 5:02:59 PM

also


+1 for etsy.

5/3/2010 5:35:43 PM

etsy or pay someone to do it.

[Edited on May 3, 2010 at 5:42 PM. Reason : .]

5/3/2010 5:42:08 PM