Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Many small business owners cannot afford custom web design (especially when starting out), want to maintain control over their site, or enjoy learning new skills.  Whatever the reason among small business owners, self-published websites are popular. If you are going to tackle this monsterous task, I highly recommend purchasing a template.
Templates are web designs in a box.  You just edit for content (logos, pictures, text) and publish to the net.  This can be the fastest way to a quality web design.

There are essentially 4 steps.

1. Buy a template.  I recommend TemplateMonster.com.  I`ve used their products in the past, and continue to purchase from them for quick starts to projects.
2. Edit the template using Dreamweaver or any free web site editors.  I use Dreamweaver from time to time, but actually do most of my coding by hand.  However, a great free editor (I`ve used in the past) is CoffeeCup.
3. You`ll need to host your website online.  The host I use (and have used for years) is Dreamhost.com.  Use the promo code redfish to save $25.  They`ve got all the options you can think of!  If you just want space, and you want someone else to manage all the details for you I recommend my hosting service. You can message me and we can set it up (as little as $5/month-to-month and no setup fees - and you`ll still be getting Dreamhost for less!).  With hosting you`ll also need to buy a domain (www.yourbusiness.com).  I recommend purchasing your domain when you purchase your hosting - it is much easier, otherwise you have to use some advanced DNS services.
4. Upload your website using an FTP program.  There are tutorials about how to do this or if you use my hosting I will help you set it all up.  CuteFTP is a great piece of software and has a trial.  The software I use is no longer available.  You can also use online versions.
   

It`s a simple process, but can be overwhelming.  If you run into trouble there is a lot of help on the internet (you can Google it or ask in forums like this one!).



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A spin-off from my company, now undergoing funding. A real-time, live-event polling program. Engage your audience at your next conference, seminar, talk or retreat! http://www.indiegogo.com/ballotboxes

Thank you for the useful information. My boyfriend has been looking for a website template for a little while now. I`m going to pass this information on.

Maria
My link



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Maria      
http://www.wowzzy.com

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

I usually stick to purchased templates myself.  I find the code is written better, and for sure the designs are better.  You often get access to image/picture databases which can help with customizing the design.  I also find that free templates all follow the same design, just slight modifications, where as professional design sites offer designs by many authors.  But if you search hard enough you can sometimes find high quality, good looking web templates.  I myself prefer to save the hours of searching and purchase a template.  In the past I have spent days searching for free ones - now I exclusively purchase my templates.  It runs me about $60 each.  I purchase about 6 a year.


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A spin-off from my company, now undergoing funding. A real-time, live-event polling program. Engage your audience at your next conference, seminar, talk or retreat! http://www.indiegogo.com/ballotboxes

I`ve used a couple of these templates for my websites.  They are simple and free.

http://www.omnistaretools.com/free-templates

redfish,

I agree that templates are quite handy and very useful who doesnt have much technical knowledge.I designed a website for a church and so was looking for a professional as well as a low cost service.Luckily I came upon 9cubehosting.com wherein they provided the domain services at low cost with a free website builder(Site Studio) which helped me to build the website in a professional and in my desired way.They have many attractive templates for the customer.Having used their service I find them reliable and very supportive.The site that I developed has a good up-time and everyone is highly satisfied with it.

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Template is really best for designing the website who don't know the programming knowledge then it is best idea to use the template for creating a website. I have also huge collection of templates from the templatemonster.com. This is really best sites that allows you good ready made templates for you website.

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