Am probably after the impossible... but looking for Photography Web Templates

cambsno

cambsno

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Simon
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I quite like my site in iWeb. While it wont win awards for design, it takes me seconds to change things and I can easily add new galleries for clients. BUT, SEO is pants, and would like a better looking site with more functionality, maybe password galleries, news items, downloadable files, contact form, and random images on homepage that change every few seconds.

I love the way iWeb is so easy to use, and have just tested 3:

Photium - Quite liked the site but very limited on templates and hard work to look semi decent. Far too inflexible. Would have liked to have had large image on homepage for example, with news next to it.

PhotoShelter & Squarespace - not that easy to use, and couldnt see how I would get the right look.

I have no html, or other code knowledge, and no time/desire to learn. Dont want to run scripts here and there... Ideally less than £20 per month.

Am probably after the impossible... but maybe someone knows something thats suitable?
 
No, I have heard of it, is it easy to setup, use, etc... and is SEO good?
 
as far as i am aware you can add all these features to your site

not easy will take some time to get use to but worth it

seo - here you go LINKY

gallerys - this is in fact very easy go to your control panel on your web host and install something like coppermine or even install it yourself via a ftp - you can add your own cattegories and also make them private , set up diffrent users , groups

as for downloading a file im sure there will be something for that

there is a html widget use this to your advantage - Check this out

you tell it what to do and it creates a code add this code in the widgett on your site and done

they do forms , buttons , all sorts and its free

this is only a idea if you like it simple give me a shout if you need any help im not the best but can help with most basic stuff on websites
 
Have had a look at Wordpress, have to say some of the themes look good. BUT... put off with the fact that it does not look that easy to setup, and I could end up upgrading my hosting package, and buying themes and not getting on. Plus, looking at the instructions, think I could end up with no website while I work on it as it would replace my current one?
 
cambsno said:
Have had a look at Wordpress, have to say some of the themes look good. BUT... put off with the fact that it does not look that easy to setup, and I could end up upgrading my hosting package, and buying themes and not getting on. Plus, looking at the instructions, think I could end up with no website while I work on it as it would replace my current one?
Click to expand...

I've found this wordpress hosting company very good and it sets everything up for you. All you need to do then is choose a theme and upload it.

Although sounds like you dont really want to upgrade your current hosting.
 
I use Wordpress and JAlbum for mine and it is hosted on Streamlinenet which is a lot less than £20 month. I did have a steep learning curve when I first set it up but within a few days I had a working website that is very, very easy to update as it can all be done online. As AndrewC mentioned Google sends a report on new or changed pages usually within 10-15 minutes.
 
The problem you will have is the"Template" and "SEO" bits are really rather incompatible.

I have a template built website using bludomain and although it looks great, it's flash based and the SEO is pretty pants.

Got round the SEO by linking other pages off the landing page but that does need some HTML skills. To do a decent job of SEO you need to be able to update regularly and show unique content, something that is next to impossible using a template.
 
dangermoose said:
I've found this wordpress hosting company very good and it sets everything up for you. All you need to do then is choose a theme and upload it.

Although sounds like you dont really want to upgrade your current hosting.
Click to expand...

Who is the hosting co you recommend? Also there seem to be loads of themes out there. Again, any recommendations?

Guess I really am after the impossible so will have to compromise somewhere.
 
AliB said:
The problem you will have is the"Template" and "SEO" bits are really rather incompatible.

I have a template built website using bludomain and although it looks great, it's flash based and the SEO is pretty pants.

Got round the SEO by linking other pages off the landing page but that does need some HTML skills. To do a decent job of SEO you need to be able to update regularly and show unique content, something that is next to impossible using a template.
Click to expand...

No they're not.

I use a template on my site, and it's rather well SEO'd... I'm currently #1 for a small set of targeted keywords, and I'm now targeting my 2nd set of keywords to exand further out :)

The trick is to use the correct template. Anything flash is generally a no-no, as you say.

Templates + a CMS (Content Management System) takes care of the regular updates and unique content, and with Wordpress, also the themes and SEO
 
Hi Simon. I am going to throw a curveball into the mix and say have you looked at more iWeb templates that you can buy online? My website is built in iWeb - can do downloading files etc etc. Agree with SEO but mine is pretty good because of the original name.
 
cambsno said:
Who is the hosting co you recommend? Also there seem to be loads of themes out there. Again, any recommendations?

Guess I really am after the impossible so will have to compromise somewhere.
Click to expand...

Ooops! Apologies, the hosting company I was thinking about is http://page.ly
Also worth checking out http://www.tsohost.co.uk/hosting.php

Good prices and good service on both counts. There are a lot of themes out there and it can be confusing. Have a look here.

I don't know why people say template based sites are not SEO friendly. This is simply not the case and SEO can be just as effective using most non flash template based sites as a bespoke site. At the end of the day they are built using the same or similar code as a bespoke site. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty & doing some research then it can be worthwhile although many SEO specialists offer good deals at the moment so its worth shopping around.
 
smoothedit said:
Hi Simon. I am going to throw a curveball into the mix and say have you looked at more iWeb templates that you can buy online? My website is built in iWeb - can do downloading files etc etc. Agree with SEO but mine is pretty good because of the original name.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but SEO is arguably the most important part of the site so am looking away from iWeb, although I have to say, for what I need, iWeb is ideal aside from that.
 
Have you tried ifp3.com? they offer a 30 day trial.
 
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