[tuscani451]

If so i could us some advice about reserving a website name, website hosting, and general design/templates. I know these are very broad questions but i'm not all that great with tech stuff and really don't know were to begin so if anyone could point me in the right direction so i dont waste time or get ripped off i'd really appreciate it :notworthy:

 

[pcdlab]

Getting a domain name is cheap and easy. I use directnic.com and you can check to see if the name is taken before purchasing it for $15/yr. You can also pay for anonymity in the domain registry for an additional $5.

You'll then have to upgrade your web hosting to a plan that allows the installation of a database and support php with Apache or the like. This is usually around $40/yr. Note that this is where you'll have to define a database to install your site to which is covered in their help section.

You should then get an FTP program to d'load/upload your files to the host like Filezilla. Also grab Notepad++ to do file editing... typically for changing the way things look, say or behave on the site... which isn't to bad if you have even basic skills in HTML.

There's lots of free sites with a CMS (content management system) and most have lots of templates to choose from. A popular one for business is Zen Cart which is simple (as simple as it gets) to install at the host where you have your domain. Drupal and Joomla are popular general purpose sites. Wordpress is a favorite of bloggers. Once you make it through the install, setting up the site is mainly done online through the CMS which is basically an online user control panel.

If you've never done it before then it might take a little time to figure out some things to do the installation and where to find things for editing but it gets easier once you make it through the first time. Getting started with this info should at least get you far enough to know what keywords to look for in Googling the rest. :thumbup:

 

[RIDER]

^^ Probably going with a simple "what you see is what you get" editor is best (CMS would be included),so you don't need HTML coding skills.This is a great place to learn HTML and such if you really want to get into it: http://www.w3schools.com/
Wix.com is good for fast and free sites,but you get a small watermark in the corner of your page.Another thing to think about is how you will receive payment.Depends on what your selling,but paypal can be set up the easiest.
The most important thing I learned in my website venturing,is "search engine optimization".Getting your site high up on search results will be key.Choose your URL and plan the site with SEO in mind.

 

[pcdlab]

^^^ The reason I mentioned editing is because he may want to change some fonts or colors in the style sheets for instance (that's the .css files in your template folder tuscani) which isn't always covered in the CMS.

With Zen Cart, you can set up PayPal right in the CMS so no coding is needed. You can also set up products and shipping, create and edit pages, define page tags, manage customers and their orders, produce reports, etc. There's also a few free SEO URL plugins (it basically changes your page URL to include key words that you want search engines to find tuscani) and authors will typically install their stuff for you for a few bucks if you don't know how to do it yourself. ZC has a ton of features but are there in a thrown together kind of way which can be a bit overwhelming to new users at first... but you get used to it.

Oh and speaking of search engines finding you... you can start by telling them where you are...

http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl

http://www.bing.com/webmaster/SubmitSitePage.aspx

It would also be well worth flipping a few bucks to the place below to do a full security sweep, update the site with the latest security patches and do some folder/file work to protect your site from people/bots who prey on ZC sites.

http://www.zencart-ecommerce-website-design.com

Hope this helps...

 

[tuscani451]

^^^ The reason I mentioned editing is because he may want to change some fonts or colors in the style sheets for instance (that's the .css files in your template folder tuscani) which isn't always covered in the CMS.

With Zen Cart, you can set up PayPal right in the CMS so no coding is needed. You can also set up products and shipping, create and edit pages, define page tags, manage customers and their orders, produce reports, etc. There's also a few free SEO URL plugins (it basically changes your page URL to include key words that you want search engines to find tuscani) and authors will typically install their stuff for you for a few bucks if you don't know how to do it yourself. ZC has a ton of features but are there in a thrown together kind of way which can be a bit overwhelming to new users at first... but you get used to it.

Oh and speaking of search engines finding you... you can start by telling them where you are...

http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl

http://www.bing.com/webmaster/SubmitSitePage.aspx

It would also be well worth flipping a few bucks to the place below to do a full security sweep, update the site with the latest security patches and do some folder/file work to protect your site from people/bots who prey on ZC sites.

http://www.zencart-ecommerce-website-design.com

Hope this helps...

:notworthy: thanks guys I'm off the conquer the world!!

 

[tuscani451]

I have my web domain :coolgleamA:

 

[Hokie]

Good luck. What are you selling?

In the next year I'm hoping to shoot semi-pro auto/motorcycle pictures on the side so I'm starting to research all the website/SEO/business card thing myself.