A new website

[meydenhart]

The time has come for me to get a commercial website, since the free one no longer serves all my purposes. I am considering using 'bmtmicro' for pattern downloads and '2checkout' for the financials (Paypal does not support receipt of funds in SA).

Outsourcing the web design is an expensive exercise - eventhough I did the free geocities site myself, I have neither the time nor all the know-how required to handle the professional site that I envisage. I will be sure to pick a web design outfit that allows me input and control in the final result.

I'd like to hear from all who have gone this route about do's and don'ts, pitfalls and any advice you may have. I would also like to know if anyone has had dealings with the two internet companies mentioned above.

Thanks in advance

[meydenhart]

Anyone?

[CanadianScroller]

Hi Sue, I was checking with the webmasters here at work and they came up with a suggestion.
Perhaps you could find a site that is along the lines of what you like, or a design that at least stands out from the others and contact the webmasters for that site.
They usually have a link on the page. It may also be an advantage to get someone locally, at least within your own country.

Hope that helps.

[meydenhart]

Thanks Carl for the reply - I got quotes from a few local companies and if all goes well I should have my website in a few weeks.

[Back2Jake]

Sorry I missed this post Sue... but glad Carl was able to help you out.

I am excited about your new venture. And of course, look forward to your new site. I've recently found my way through one of the links you put here and found some of you recent work .... very nice.

I'm sure your new website will serve you well... afterall, it will be the content on the site that impresses, not the design of the site.

Take care
Toni

[meydenhart]

Thanks Toni - let me tell you it is quite a task to get it all together, web design and SEO, multi-currency billing and invoicing, processing and downloads, etc etc I've learnt a lot in the last few days and hopefully it will be worth it in the end

[CharlieDearing]

Sue, I may sound biased but my brother does mine. He easily competes with others and gets things done in a timely manner. He always asks versus assuming and doesn't stop until you're satisfied. His name is Cliff and his email is cliffhangertx@embarqmail.com Very affordable.

[P1d]

Hi Sue,

Sorry I missed your original post. If you ever need to ask any questions please do, I have a little experience in the IT field (don't want to say too much as I don't want to be seen as advertising even though I am in the uk).

[meydenhart]

Thanks for your replies, Charlie and Stu

[Pagan]

At the moment i have a free site from tripod and recently i bought a .co.uk domain name.
After loads of research i found out that it wasn't that easy just to put on a site of your own....The free site helps you a lot but after al you get more wishes and demands on how the site has to look.
Allthough the .co.uk domain is still linked to my free site i am learning on html and stuff to do my own site untill i find a close friend here nearby who wants to help me with it all.

And than there are all the fees that you have to pay to own your own site to sell stuff....so untill i know really everything i will create myself a top notch site.....
Anyway the list went on and on and the free site does well at the moment for now.

Danny