I need to make my own website but I don't know where to start

[Robin Usagani]

If someone telling me they have EVERYTHING to run a legitimate photography business the first time they take $$ for their service, I call it BS.

 

[HughGuessWho]

Just like photography... there is FAR more to it than having a pretty website. And, there are FAR too many "professional web designers" out there that are clueless to what it really take. Sound familiar?
Not speaking directly to you DiskoJoe. You friend may very well be a true pro, but like "pro fauxtogs" it takes much more than a bootleg copy of Dreamweaver and a Web Design For Dummys to get the job done.

No she does pro web design for corporations. And she takes side work as well for pretty decent rates. She has some pretty decent clients in her portfolio.

I got ya. But you know what I mean. Seems like everyone knows someone that is "good" at something. Picture takin', computer fixin', car repair, house repair... all self taught "experts". Again, much like photography.

 

[HughGuessWho]

I used to build my own sites using DreamWeaver and they worked just fine, it helped having a good graphic background and I kept it all simple. I use Photoshelter now as it works best for my online sales, they have a good set of templates and it's easy to set up.

The Op is an amateur, has no registered business, or cards or web name. Photographer or photography, as usual, will be added to their name and that will magically turn them into a professional, the web site will complete the illusion...and another one is born.

Dreamweaver is the best. No doubt. But much like Photoshop... you dont learn the thing overnight reading the Help section. And, youve been around a long time and may very well be good at it, but most only THINK they are.

I bought Dreamweaver and a dummy guide on how to use it, took me a couple of days, it's pretty basic stuff. I'm not a very technical person and if I could figure it all out, anyone could. I also started off but getting my domain name first and finding a good place to host it.

And you learned SEO from that dummies book and were successful?
I smell something.....

 

[Robin Usagani]

Why does it matter? I have a friend who made an amazing wedding cake for another friend. She got paid (not much). No she doesnt have an industrial kitchen, she doesnt have a website. Why does it bother you for an amateur to earn some $ for photography? You are not anything special.

People have to start somewhere. This isn't rocket science.

I used to build my own sites using DreamWeaver and they worked just fine, it helped having a good graphic background and I kept it all simple. I use Photoshelter now as it works best for my online sales, they have a good set of templates and it's easy to set up.

The Op is an amateur, has no registered business, or cards or web name. Photographer or photography, as usual, will be added to their name and that will magically turn them into a professional, the web site will complete the illusion...and another one is born.

No it's not rocket science, it's another amateur that has been asked to to shoot for someone and the only way they can charge people is to create the illusion of being a professional. I guess you're right, it is a start. Step one, buy a camera, step two, make money, step three, start a business, step four, learn how to use the camera.

 

[imagemaker46]

If someone telling me they have EVERYTHING to run a legitimate photography business the first time they take $$ for their service, I call it BS.

I would say that more than 3/4 of the people on this forum or that have passed through, have taken money for pictures without having a business. I would also guess that there are a lot on here that are running businesses without a licence and not paying taxes on money made from it.

 

[HughGuessWho]

If someone telling me they have EVERYTHING to run a legitimate photography business the first time they take $$ for their service, I call it BS.

I would say that more than 3/4 of the people on this forum or that have passed through, have taken money for pictures without having a business. I would also guess that there are a lot on here that are running businesses without a licence and not paying taxes on money made from it.

Agreed. That is everywhere.

 

[imagemaker46]

Dreamweaver is the best. No doubt. But much like Photoshop... you dont learn the thing overnight reading the Help section. And, youve been around a long time and may very well be good at it, but most only THINK they are.

I bought Dreamweaver and a dummy guide on how to use it, took me a couple of days, it's pretty basic stuff. I'm not a very technical person and if I could figure it all out, anyone could. I also started off but getting my domain name first and finding a good place to host it.

And you learned SEO from that dummies book and were successful?
I smell something.....

Well I used Dreamweaver when it first came out, maybe 20 years ago, at that time had never heard of SEO.

So for the Op, hire a professional web designer that understands SEO and knows how to get your web site loading on the first page of all the search engines.

 

[12sndsgood]

i guess it depends on what the definition of having everything for a business is.

 

[Robin Usagani]

OK, so we are all in an agreement.

If someone telling me they have EVERYTHING to run a legitimate photography business the first time they take $$ for their service, I call it BS.

I would say that more than 3/4 of the people on this forum or that have passed through, have taken money for pictures without having a business. I would also guess that there are a lot on here that are running businesses without a licence and not paying taxes on money made from it.

Agreed. That is everywhere.

 

[krath]

www.bludomain.com has some awesome templates! That is where I built my website at kalarathphotography.com it is so user friendly!!!I do recommend that you look into the part about the music on your website though before just adding songs. My husband was in law school and he said that you can use music but you have to gain permission through a few people if you are using a song that everyone knows like a Yo-Yo Ma song on your website. Good luck!

 

[fasihjee]

You can either use WORDPRESS templates available online to download or SMUGMUG would be brilliant for website builder. Alternatively you can check Wix Free Website Builder | Wix.com for flash based websites.

I would personally grab a website developer and would ask him to get me simple fading slides for my photography website.

 

[HughGuessWho]

www.bludomain.com has some awesome templates! That is where I built my website at kalarathphotography.com it is so user friendly!!!I do recommend that you look into the part about the music on your website though before just adding songs. My husband was in law school and he said that you can use music but you have to gain permission through a few people if you are using a song that everyone knows like a Yo-Yo Ma song on your website. Good luck!

I rest my case, Your Honor

 

[tirediron]

If someone telling me they have EVERYTHING to run a legitimate photography business the first time they take $$ for their service, I call it BS.

I suspect that's true in 99.99999999999 1/2% of the cases.

 

[Robin Usagani]

If someone telling me they have EVERYTHING to run a legitimate photography business the first time they take $$ for their service, I call it BS.

I suspect that's true in 99.99999999999 1/2% of the cases.

Cant mix decimals and fractions john

 

[EdithLPhoto]

Hi, I also use and absolutely love zenfolio. It has really been a great tool for me to showcase my work. My blog is 100% wordpress and I feel wordpress is the best platform for blogging. Here are my sites so you can check them out!
Professional Photographer; Weddings, Events, Portraits. New Jersey, Tri-State area. and Photography with Wings « Musings about Photography, Life & Following Your Passion Photography with Wings

I hope this helps!