Concerning Websites

[dvjproductions]

I have been toying with a few ideas for a website. I don't have all that much time to work on one between my full time job and dealing with a baby on the way, but I severely need something to point potential clients at.

I've taken a look at the following sites and I am wondering who you all use and what is the perks of the choices you made. I don't want this to turn into a 'whose host is better than whose' thread, I just want the reasons you decided to go with who you went with.

I've looked into:

wordpress
squarespace
wix
weebly
godaddy (considerably less due to the need to code a lot more, which I can do, but have little interest or time to do so - and their WYSIWYG was no where near the others)

 

[sscarmack]

I custom built my homepage. And I use picture pro for my portfolio/selling prints.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[imagemaker46]

I use Photoshelter. Simple to set up, lots of templates to use, all depends on what you want to use your web site for.

 

[dvjproductions]

I use Photoshelter. Simple to set up, lots of templates to use, all depends on what you want to use your web site for.

This option seems to be considerably more expensive that a few of the other options I've been looking into. Squarespace for instance, the top end package is equivalent of Photoshelter's middle of the road package and comes with a lot more options.

Any specific reason you chose Photoshelter over other options?

 

[HikinMike]

Years ago I built my own site using FrontPage 2000. I learned a lot about HTML/CSS. That got old so I had a friend help me re-design my site using MySQL/PHP. It was great for a while, but I wanted to change a few things but he was busy with "life". Two years ago I switched to a custom WordPress framework. I only do nature stuff, so I have two plugins that allow me to use PayPal for e-commerce. I use one of the online printing services.

 

[dvjproductions]

First, thank you to all of you who have responded

Second, concerning responses...I am relatively surprised at the lack of them.

I know website tastes are very subjective, but I was hoping to glean some inside from you folks for what you've used and why.

 

[Tee]

I use Squarespace. Honestly, I suck at creating computer stuff. I like the ability to change up my templates anytime I like.

 

[ruggedshutter]

Sorry but it's only been a couple of hours since you posted your question and I have been working on redesigning my site I haven't set it live yet and won't until next week but I'm looking at just upgrading my Wix account. Mostly because it is already on there and it will be easier to do so. I originally chose Wix because they supported Google Analytics but they fazed that out on their free accounts about 6 or 8 months ago, though they say that they never supported it....my analytics page says differently lol

 

[dvjproductions]

Sorry but it's only been a couple of hours since you posted your question and I have been working on redesigning my site I haven't set it live yet and won't until next week but I'm looking at just upgrading my Wix account. Mostly because it is already on there and it will be easier to do so. I originally chose Wix because they supported Google Analytics but they fazed that out on their free accounts about 6 or 8 months ago, though they say that they never supported it....my analytics page says differently lol

If you guys weren't already suspicious, this should do it. I am leaning toward squarespace. They do support google analytics as well. Hmm...maybe this isn't such a big question after all, though, I do like to know what people's personal thoughts on things are...

 

[Browncoat]

I've used WordPress for many years.

The main thing is, get your own domain and not a sub, like Photoshelter. Whatever platform you use to develop it doesn't really matter.

 

[dvjproductions]

I've used WordPress for many years.

The main thing is, get your own domain and not a sub, like Photoshelter. Whatever platform you use to develop it doesn't really matter.

Certainly is the plan. Wordpress seems a bit pricey for the 'total' package compared to others, I think I will end up going with squarespace as its the most affordable bang for buck kinda thing. Domain is key though.

 

[lambertpix]

I've used WordPress for many years.

The main thing is, get your own domain and not a sub, like Photoshelter. Whatever platform you use to develop it doesn't really matter.

Certainly is the plan. Wordpress seems a bit pricey for the 'total' package compared to others, I think I will end up going with squarespace as its the most affordable bang for buck kinda thing. Domain is key though.

How is Wordpress pricey? Free download -- all I pay for is hosting.

 

[D-B-J]

I use squarespace. Simple, clean, easy to use. I have no experience with other sites though.

 

[e.rose]

Left Wordpress (hosted by Hostgator) after 2 years or so, for Squarespace a few months ago.

Love it 1 Billion times more.

 

[dvjproductions]

How is Wordpress pricey? Free download -- all I pay for is hosting.

I am not sure about downloading and paying separately for hosting with wordpress. The nice thing about other sites is they give you the option of paying monthly instead of the sum upfront. I am looking at Square's middle of the road package for a number of reasons. Its nearly double what world press wants for their all in one, but offers a metric ton more options and features that wordpress does.

I guess it all depends on where you want to spend you money, and how. I would rather invest in a site that I can rely on as it will eventually make me enough cash flow to cover its own costs.

I suppose stating wordpress is 'pricey' might be misleading, but it doesn't offer the host of possibilities (which I like) that others I've researched do.