Suggestions for Web setup & hosting please

HopefulM

HopefulM

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Name
Maria
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I've never bothered with a website except putting a few pics on Flickr, but I'd now like to have something - just to showcase some work, however there seems to be a lot of options and I don't have the experience to judge what's ok or to be avoided.

Firstly, I need to buy a domain name - are there any companies to avoid? 1and1 and godaddy seem to pop up regularly and I've seen the TV adverts - does buying the name mean I own it forever?

Secondly, a website - I've looked around and clickpic would be sufficient for what I'm after - or are they to be avoided? I don't have any web building experience and I'm looking for simple options that I can change when I feel like it.

Thanks in advance for suggestions (and hopefully they won't be too complicated!) :)
 
Tso host or Vidahost for hosting & Domains

Wordpress & £60+ responsive theme and diy!

Squarespace for portfolio but seo is apparently poor compared to Wordpress
 
I use Zenfolio but this isn't suitable for many people. One I looked at recently was Photoshelter and was quite impressed.
 
Zenfolio and PhotoShelter and easy to use :)
 
I like Vidahost. Lots of other people like TSO. Apparently they are actually the same company.

Use one of those ;)
 
Thanks Folks - off to investigate TSO, Zenfolio (I know they're fab) will probably be a bit of overkill for me!

Any other suggestions gratefully received ;)
thank you!
 
I have tried Webhost.UK.Net server and support has been good , they are cheap even so worth a try.
 
Try bigwetfish for domain name and hosting. I've been with them for years and their support is excellent. Install wordpress and get a nice theme (have a look at Photocrati).

I'd be happy to help with specifics, I've created a few websites including photography and have used zenfolio, photocrati etc.

Cheers,

Kenny
 
My tips to add to the useful info here.
- Keep your domain name and hosting separate (companies). I use 123-reg for domains then just point the domain to whichever host I'm messing with. If you get a hosting+domain deal you can end up feeling "tied" into them because they have your "online name". If you buy the domain separately, it's yours until you choose to stop paying - and .co.uk domains are pretty reasonably priced.
- I've learnt that I'm a photographer, not a web developer. Things like keeping up to date with Wordpress (regular updates to be applied), fixing widgets and themes when they break due to WP updates or not being supported, and general security hassles are something I *can* resolve, but not something I *want* to spend time resolving. I no longer want to dabble in websites, and prefer to spend the time with the camera. For that reason I've ended up using Wix (has a free option) and letting them deal with all that hassle.
- Most of the site builders allow a free trial. I've tried Format, Clickpic, Photium, IMCreator, Weebly and Squarespace. There was also a Kickstarted one that was really responsive with customer care but just didn't tick all the boxes - can't remember its name now (Edit - Checked my email - it was Format). Each one requires quite a bit of time to get your head around the interface, so consider setting aside a couple of hours a night per trial. For me - Wix just did everything I wanted, but everyone has different needs.
 
Last edited:
Harlequin565 said:
My tips to add to the useful info here.
- Keep your domain name and hosting separate (companies). I use 123-reg for domains then just point the domain to whichever host I'm messing with. If you get a hosting+domain deal you can end up feeling "tied" into them because they have your "online name". If you buy the domain separately, it's yours until you choose to stop paying - and .co.uk domains are pretty reasonably priced.
- I've learnt that I'm a photographer, not a web developer. Things like keeping up to date with Wordpress (regular updates to be applied), fixing widgets and themes when they break due to WP updates or not being supported, and general security hassles are something I *can* resolve, but not something I *want* to spend time resolving. I no longer want to dabble in websites, and prefer to spend the time with the camera. For that reason I've ended up using Wix (has a free option) and letting them deal with all that hassle.
- Most of the site builders allow a free trial. I've tried Format, Clickpic, Photium, IMCreator, Weebly and Squarespace. There was also a Kickstarted one that was really responsive with customer care but just didn't tick all the boxes - can't remember its name now (Edit - Checked my email - it was Format). Each one requires quite a bit of time to get your head around the interface, so consider setting aside a couple of hours a night per trial. For me - Wix just did everything I wanted, but everyone has different needs.
Click to expand...
^ that, all of it.

Me, I prefer SquareSpace and chose that. But you need to test a few free trials to see what works for you. There are lots of domain providers, I use Freehost who were the recommended option when I first purchased domains several years ago but there are lots of others that will do this for you.
 
Thanks for the info, I've gone with TSO and I'm building myself at the moment... struggling in places, but we all need a challenge! :)
I'll post it here when I've got it all sorted, thank you again for input :ty:
 
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