First steps in setting up a web-site - help needed please !

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stevewestern

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I am about to set up a web-site, with help from LeeP, and having never done anything like this, need some ideas and input as to what to do, what not to do,and how to do it !
If anyone here wants to offer and assistance to an idiot (not just any idiot, this one !) then please do !
Thanks,
Steve
 
Hi Steve

Unforunately you have not given us a lot of information to work on. What' the website about? what sort of content do you want to include. will it be static html pages or a database driven site, are you selling something? so do you need a shopping cart.

With the limited info you have given I guess the first job is to get some Web Hosting. If you can answer the above question I should be able to point you in the right direction

Mark
 
Hi Mark (and Starrider !)
OK, I want to show and sell (if anyone wants to buy) my pictures. I have no idea what static html pages are, or database driven etc means. All I know is that LeeP, a member here, runs a company that prints and sells pictures, so I guess he will be hosting them via his Web Hosting sites. I have asked him to help me build the site, but am really after suggesions as to what sort of thing to put in, and what not to..!
Grendel, another member here has a site for showing his pictures that I like the look of, and the way it 'seems right' to me is the kind of thing I after.
I know I am not being very clear - mainly as I am not very clear myself.
Doesn't help much, does it !!
 
I'm not sure how it would tie in with LeeP's setup by JAlbum is about the simplest way to setup a gallery with online sales through paypal. When someone orders you simply get an email from paypal showing the gallery path and filename along with the size ordered. In the paypal options you can also specify p&p based on total cost, etc.

Best of all JAlbum is free :thumbs:
 
OK right it seems you have hosting in the bag.

A database driven site (or dynamic site) is better if your content changes regualrly as is easier to cange and add content with many pre written scripts

See heare for a better explanation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Website

I think a dynamic site is what you need, and if selling your photos from the site is going to be the main focus a shopping cart program would be simpler. These can be downloaded from the net for free as they are usually Open Source
Do a Google search for Shopping Carts.

HTH
Mark
 
For simplicity you might want to have a look at Clikpic or Photium

Both are easy to use and all you have to do is pick a template and a colour then upload your images, also both have a Paypal checkout. I started with Clikpic and now use Photium as I found them easier to work with.

Hope this helps and good luck!
 
I'll be managing the album creation - all Steve has to do is drop the files onto my server and my machines build the Galleries as required. It's all flash and xml.

Steve's in need of ideas for content on his site - not the gallery side :)
 
Content as is type of photos or what to write?
 
I believe what content as in text / information about the services Steve offers. General design ideas, what to have, what not to have etc

Colour schemes ...
Graphics ...

etc
 
Keep it simple, no real need for fancy backgrounds or music.
I'd even question if flash is really the best way to go.

Navigation MUST be easy, and it would be nice if the back button would work, specially where pages involve scrolling, eg in a gallery of 100 images, the thumbnails would be more than could be displayed on screen, I don't want to scroll to image 80, click it, decide its not quite what i'm looking for, and then have to scroll all the way back down to 80 to continue looking.

If you want the site to earn you commissions, then I would suggest a brief bio, and some examples of work of types that you aren't selling, and location (and travelling range/rate) and your work rates.

Hope I've been of some help, and not just stated the obvious
 
pxl8 - I am in need of ideas for everything - how to take decent pictures included !!
No, really needing help with what to write - I want it to sound professional and without too much waffle, friendly, but not overly so - my big thing is that I am soon taking some pictures of a rather upmarket party, and assuming my clients agree, will be setting up a private gallery for the pictures to be viewed and purchased. As several of the people going are amazingly wealthy and fairly famous, it could be a chance for me, so want to create the right impression - given time and a load of mistakes, I am sure I might be able to come up with the right sort of stuff, but I have not got much time.
AS LeeP says, he is (as I now understand) doing all the hosting, I just got to fill in the blanks !
So, anyone clever with words, or can show me a homepage or an 'about me' sort of thing that I can use as a starting point to sell myself to these folks..?
By tha way, many thanks to all the help so many of you have given me so far, both here and via PM and email..If I join the rich and famous, I'll not forget those who helped (just don't hold your breath..)
 
nutter426 said:
Keep it simple, no real need for fancy backgrounds or music.
I'd even question if flash is really the best way to go.

Navigation MUST be easy, and it would be nice if the back button would work, specially where pages involve scrolling, eg in a gallery of 100 images, the thumbnails would be more than could be displayed on screen, I don't want to scroll to image 80, click it, decide its not quite what i'm looking for, and then have to scroll all the way back down to 80 to continue looking.

If you want the site to earn you commissions, then I would suggest a brief bio, and some examples of work of types that you aren't selling, and location (and travelling range/rate) and your work rates.

Hope I've been of some help, and not just stated the obvious
Click to expand...


Great response!
:)
 
nutter426 - You have helped - simple, and a back button, plain background, no music - fast to load..
As for getting commissions, I think that can wait for now, but yes, another good idea.
Thanks !
 
mattyh - thanks to you too - has Lee seen it ?
I like the look, and Toothie mentioned you in a PM - it is simple and easy to use, and welcoming. Hope mine will achieve the same sort of thing !
 
Yes Steve, i've been chatting with Matt over MSN :)
 
mattyh said:
my camera :razz:

You've got a link, what more do you want! :lol:
Click to expand...

I believe the copyright lasts with the photographer (unless working on behalf of a photography company).

:thinking:
 
steveinspain said:
mattyh - thanks to you too - has Lee seen it ?
I like the look, and Toothie mentioned you in a PM - it is simple and easy to use, and welcoming. Hope mine will achieve the same sort of thing !
Click to expand...

Steve

I've dropped you a couple of emails.

Cheers

Lee :)
 
Steve,

Just saw this post of yours, and thought I'd throw in my two cents.

I know you've seen at least one of my websites. I have one for commissioned (primarily portrait) work, and one for my personal work ( http://www.cheryljacobsportraits.com and http://www.cheryljacobsphotography.com ). IMO the very best thing your website can do is showcase who you are as a photographer. That includes not just images, but also words. I recommend keeping both as personal and true to your personality as you can.

Select the images that you feel represent your style the best, rather than selecting what you think people will like best. Don't be afraid to show images that not everyone will "get". Show the kind of work you want to continue to do, and think twice about showing those one-off shots that, although you may like them, definitely don't fit in with the rest of your work.

In terms of writing, I always recommend starting by just throwing everything that crosses your mind down on paper without any self-editing, as a starting point. Just a pure brainstorm, no second-guessing. From there, you can start sorting out what's important and how to word things effectively. The hardest part is getting started. I always find it easiest to do this stuff in a bubble bath with a glass (or two) of wine.

The more personal and unique your site, the more people will remember it and share it with friends. I STRONGLY recommend resisting the temptation to visit tons of other photographer's sites, as it can make it extremely difficult to be unique with yours. Don't be afraid to do things totally differently than anyone else. There are no rules.

- CJ
 
CJ - PM sent
By the way, what style do I have (you have met me, so you know the answer to that is none at all..) but in a photographic sense..?
That sort of question is so hard, for me, to answer.
I have jsut read your blog, and looked at your other web site.
Better go away and think a bit.
PM all the more relevant.
 
Good to know I am not the only one to get passwords wrong - within 20 minutes of setting it up I had to ask Lee to reset it for me.
Praise time - Lee has been so good dealing with the fool that I am. He deserves more clients, and hopefully easier ones to deal with than me...
 
steveinspain,

I'm not much better at websites than I am at photography, but I would only suggest to keep the layout simple and more importantly, consistant across pages.

I struggle to keep my monthly diary links operating properly, and I have (deliberately) left the navigation to basic "click through" links. Obviously I'm not trying to attract customers, just have somewhere to post my pictures and exercise the odd creative cells in my brain, so I'm prepared to accept a bit of a compromise in the look of the finished site. (Also I'm posting everything over a 3G modem with a download limit :thumbsdown: )

Having re-read this post I'm not sure it helps, but what the heck. PB
 
Hi,

I am new here but read this post and thought i would just maybe put out my point of view which hopefully will be of help. :)

Firstly with a photography website you need to have a clean and simple design as others have already said basically the user needs to get around your site as easily as possible otherwise they wont stay long enough for you to showcase your photos. that means have your navigation at the top and make sure the page doesnt stretch to far.

i totally agree with a couple of other posts about the fact that your content is as important as your photos as the aim is to try and build your reputation as a photographer as well as the reputation of your images. therefore maybe try and create a blog or an area where you can express yourself a bit and explain about your photos.

One thing that i would recommend is to stay away from flash sites. Although they are sometimes nice looking they will seriously hinder you in the search engines meaning not many people will find you organically.

With regards to what you need to run a website heres a list:

1) web hosting - this is where you place the code for a website so that it can be placed on the internet (sorry if this is obvious just noticed that there were a few people asking about it). You want to get reliable hosting ie dont get free hosting otherwise it can mean your site might be down alot

2) a web designer or alternatively a software package to create your own website. the problem with a web designer is that it is costly to get a good site but you will get a good site. the problem with buying software to create it is time and the difficulites of creating it properly without knowing alot of code yourself.

3) buy a website built specifically for photographers online. this has its bonuses in the fact you can create it straight away and it will work plus its cheap. the only problem is you have to be careful as you may be limited by what functionality you can have. Without being seen to plug this myself. we have just (today) launched our own wizard tool to help photographers create your own website. you can have unlimited galleries, blog, contact us, guestbook, ecommerce to sell your photos and alot more. If you go to http://www.onlinephotographers.net/mysite.aspx

Anyway sorry about the long post went of on a rant :). If anyone has any questions about this dont hesitate to PM me and i would be happy to help or just post here.

All the best

Andrew
 
steveinspain said:
CJ - PM sent
By the way, what style do I have (you have met me, so you know the answer to that is none at all..) but in a photographic sense..?
That sort of question is so hard, for me, to answer.
Click to expand...


Steve,

I've met you and yes, I could probably make some educated guesses as to your prefered style -- but that would really do you no good at all. You need to dig around in that question on your own until you can begin to put it into words.

Here's what I would recommend. Choose a dozen or so of the images you've made that are the most meaningful to you. (DO NOT make this selection based on what you think other people would like / understand / buy.) Then look for the common thread between them. Try thinking not in terms of appearances (color vs B&W, etc) but rather in terms of your photographic voice. What do your images say about you? What do you value? How do you see the world?

It will be very good for you to figure that out for yourself.

And I'll also say this: You really MUST stop apologizing for your work. Putting yourself down is just a defense mechanism. I've already told you your work is very strong. Don't you believe me? ;)

- CJ
 
CJ - I am reading this and thinking.
Might take me a few days, but I am on it..
Rather an alien idea, actually having a talent, or being good at something - a trait that was beaten into me at a young age was that I was good for nothing, so it might take time..
Thanks as always..
Steve
 
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