Building A Website?

[Passion - Photography]

Hi, I am considering building a website, since some copies of my photographs have been sold. I was wondering what site I should buy a domain through? I would like to be able to possibly design my own website, not pick from some crappy designs a host has available to a site creator. Hopefully something with a fee that is not too high, but effective, and of course, easy to upload photos to?

Any suggestions? Thanks so much!

Okay, I should have asked this in the first place. This is probably a really stupid question, but again....I have no idea what I'm doing with this. Do all site hosts allow you to copy and past an html code? Is that how website layouts are built? Or how exactly does this work? These are probably such stupid questions. But..I don't think I understand this well enough. And I know how to operate html codes...so I guess that's the real reason I'm asking. Any hosts that will run my html codes? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance.

[Nature_Photo_Girl]

i know you can get domains through godaddy.com I used them once, but then let the site go. It was for programming and i no longer do that

[mshockley]

I just purchased my domain name through netfirms.com. Cost me $4.95.(says 7.99 I believe but when you check out they apply a promo they are running right now) You can then decide on what Hosting Package you want: FREE is just a simple 3 page deal I think it said and does have a SiteBuilder, which they all provide really, but the thing is, once you buy the Domain Name you want, and decide on how much you want to pay for Hosting each month, you can build your site using whatever software you choose and then upload.

Netfirms had emailed me the FTP Access info (what you need to upload your site) before I could click over to my mailbox.

Also, where my site resides right now is through webs.com, and once you figure out the SiteBuilder you really can make it do just about anything you want, and it is free. When I first decided to build a site I didn't feel as though the webs.com at the end of my name was that big of a turn-off for my clients. It's a way for you to try your hand at building a decent site without cost. Just something to think about.

[BuddhaPi]

watch out for FREE stuff, nothing is free! lot's of times free mean strict limits, advertising, and most likely on a shared server with thousands of other domains some of which will be spammers, which could in turn affect you and your business.. Not saying there aren't any goods, but be sure to read ALL of the fine print and the hosting policy..

[mshockley]

Originally Posted by BuddhaPi

watch out for FREE stuff, nothing is free! lot's of times free mean strict limits, advertising, and most likely on a shared server with thousands of other domains some of which will be spammers, which could in turn affect you and your business.. Not saying there aren't any goods, but be sure to read ALL of the fine print and the hosting policy..

True, there is always advertising on a free hosting service. I can only speak for Webs in saying the service has been pretty good, site is always up and running when I check on it. I haven't had any weird issues.

[Biomech]

I generally use GoDaddy.com for my domains and HostGator.com as my host, but you can get the whole package from GoDaddy if you want. I'll move my business stuff to UK servers soon though I think.

[BuddhaPi]

Originally Posted by mshockley

True, there is always advertising on a free hosting service. I can only speak for Webs in saying the service has been pretty good, site is always up and running when I check on it. I haven't had any weird issues.

Not to open a can of worms or anything but with Webs there's also this:

"By displaying or publishing ("posting") any Content on or through the Services, you hereby grant to Webs a limited license to use, modify, publicly perform, publicly display, publish, reproduce, distribute, list information regarding, edit, translate, and make derivative works of such Content, in whole or in part, and in any form, media or technology, whether now known or hereafter developed for use solely in connection with the Services. "

and this:

Specifically, we may use third parties to facilitate our business, such as to host the Services at a co-location facility for servers, to register your domain name, to send out email updates about Webs, to provide you with email functionality for your domain, to remove repetitive information from our user lists, to process payments for products or services, or to provide search results or links (including sponsored links). In connection with these offerings and business operations, our service providers may have access to your personal information for use for a limited time.

limited time is good, it's what they do with that information within that time frame... ie sell it to other "service providers"

[mshockley]

It's okay Buddha, I knew the terms over at Webs, and am glad your making it very clear to the OP.

I will be perfectly honest and frank. I needed somewhere to put some pic's and due to some very hefty medical bills I had the pleasure of acquiring over the last year, it HAD to be free as I could not inquire another monthly expense.

I would have just used flickr except that I don't like that every single page is the same there, with no options to personalize it a bit. Now with that said, it's been about 8 months since I put up that free site, and am now ready to figure out a Hosting Plan that will suit me and is within my budget. (maybe Web Design of Palm Beach)

I happened to have just purchased my domain name when I saw the question here, so thought I would answer as to what I just paid and where.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Biomech

I generally use GoDaddy.com for my domains and HostGator.com as my host, but you can get the whole package from GoDaddy if you want. I'll move my business stuff to UK servers soon though I think.

I'm through-and-through GoDaddy, and have to renew sometime before May. I dont see why I shouldnt at this point.

[funcrunch]

I use and recommend pairNIC. They are more expensive than GoDaddy, but I have found all of pair Networks' services to be highly professional and reliable. I've been hosting with them for over seven years with virtually no problems.

If you're looking for a site to host and sell your images, I use and recommend Zenfolio. You can set your domain name to their site for transparent integration. They have a free trial, and you can save a few bucks with my referral code, DUQ-C5J-MB8.