Question about websites

[sawman101]

Being technically, intellectually, and gravity challenged, I'd like to ask anyone who has a website what are your recommendations as to where to start? I'd like to have the ability to post pics of items I have to sell, such as scroll saw work, woodwork, lumber, etc. What could I expect to have to pay per month, and what web hosts would you recommend? Or would I be further ahead to take up competition drinking?

[rogerjenkins]

Here in Australia I have three websites,- and all are FREE to use,- The one below is my main site, then there's a second on the same parent site that I use to promote my Wooden Signs and Designs, then there's a third on the, " This Is Australia com.au," website which I use to sell some of my Wooden Toys, etc., on.
Can honestly say that ALL three work for me, as some people only want to buy a Wooden Toy, or two, while others go looking for Toy Plans, and other wish to order a Custom Made Wooden Sign.
There is another site called, " Free Webs," but I never had much luck trying to set-up a page on that site, although others say, " it's easy. " ( must be me, as I don't get on real well with computers at any time, let alone some websites !!!! )
Typing in editorial content is relatively easy,- it's getting the, " @%$&*^ Photos," to up-load, and go where one wants them is, and always has been my problem !!!!

[Ron Standley]

I post (and occasionally sell) photographs on a site called Zenfolio. I also use Etsy and Zibbet for wooden things.

All have good shopping carts and capability to post pictures. Zibbet handles pictures better than Etsy. Etsy has more exposure. There are plenty of others available as well for hand made items.

All of these sites cost, but are easier and more convenient than rolling your own these days. By the time you set up a site, worry about getting hacked, set up a shopping cart, payment, backup, etc., it's hard to beat using a commercial site.

[corymike]

Another thought is to check out the blog sites like blogspot and WordPress they usually have easy to use templates as well as the ability to post photos, and market your product.

[Don R]

I use both Weebly.com and Webs.com Both have worked well for me and they are both free and easy to use.
Don R

[Harmony]

I have had very good luck with my Etsy shop.

Dave

www.harmonycraft.etsy.com

[JimSawyer]

I use Homestead...
You can look at some idea of what you can do by clicking on my website below...

It costs me $21/month.
The site builder they give you is really easy to use. It's not much more than a typical word-processor.Drag and drop and such. It really is easy to use..
You can do way more than what I have as far as making it a store...Mine's more of a gallery with some sales here and there...
They have different templates to work from...tons in fact...
They give you a free month to play with the software on one page, then they'll hook you up with more disc space and bandwidth for $5/month for , I think, 6 months. You can back out anytime, no strings. Great PR people there.....

Just so I say it, I'm not an employee, or an affiliate, (except a happy customer)...

[Mike_Fehring]

I use DreamHost cost me $119.00 per year including my domain name registration to host my site and have been using word prees to publish it. There are a lot of different pluggins that are available to use with word press. It is pretty easy to use and I learned as I added each pluggin to my site. Next step is taking a little time to add a shopping cart to it.

here is the link for Dreamhost
DreamHost Web Hosting, Shared Web Hosting, Virtual Private Server, Dedicated Servers, WordPress Optimized, Unlimited Bandwidth, 24/7 Tech Support

[Forester]

Have a look at Mr Site its a very good package easy to use and you can download it.That's what I use and have for the last 10years.

[DigBaddy]

I have used GoDaddy.com in the past. Another resource would be to start a public Facebook page. I use one for my miniatures at Parvusmachina | Facebook

[Berone]

I am not a professional web developer, but I have been tinkering with web development for 20 years. I've developed a number of sites for myself and friends and I would say that one of the biggest mistakes that one can make when starting out is to use a dumbed down system that does not allow you to export to another format when you outgrow its simplicity. It might be easy to set up, but when you want to do something else you are basically starting from scratch. This can be because of the program that you chose or the provider. Simple is good, but flexible is better.
Personally I don't like the free sites because you are always advertising for them whenever you publish your website's address. Also, with a paid hosting service and a registered domain you will get a mail server. So you go from being "[email protected]" to having a range of email addresses that make your company look bigger than it is and more professional. "[email protected]", "[email protected]", etc.
I've been with a number of hosts over the years that I have outgrown in one way or another. Since I'm currently working on some shopping carts I needed a host that provided what I needed for that. My previous host, IXWeb, while updating my site tanked all of my databases and blamed me for it. They are now my former host. I'm currently with InMotionHosting.com. I pay $7.95 per month and can host multiple sites there. They were one of the services recommended for hosting OpenCart shopping carts. So far I've been very pleased, but it's only been a few months. Their servers and 24/7 tech support is in the States, which is a big deal for me. BigBaddy mentioned GoDaddy. They are a big and popular site, but they aren't any cheaper than other options; just better known. If you do a search you will find a lot of disgruntled customers. Of course that's true of most businesses, but they are particularly problematic with e-commerce sites.
On the other hand, setting up your own e-commerce site is not for the fainthearted. You can set up a very nice, simple site that showcases your work, then drive sales to etsy or ebay. By having a registered domain name you can build a brand and, if sales do well, you can work to develop an e-commerce site on your own domain.
It's late and I'm babbling. I'll post a link to the OpenCart site I'm working on when I get it up and running and you can see what I mean about that.\

Anthony

Edit to add: I just read over what I wrote last night and realized that I failed to make my point that a dumbed down site can cost just as much as a site capable of more sophisticated work, but the more sophisticated site will usually have simple tools as well. So you can use their simple tools to get started, and then have the overhead to develop more down the road.