What do you need to set up your own website? For commercial use.

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

He is going to start from scratch and not really knowing much about hosting and designing a website. I know a thing or two but really can't get into the details he wants to know since it's not my expertise either. So if possible, could any of you list out the steps that he needs to do (software, cost, time, hosting). Btw, I know some of you design website for others, how much do you usually charge? He might be interested in your service if it's not out of his budget. much thanks

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Up^

Am I asking in the wrong forum?

 

[imported_LoKe]

He'll need a webhost. There are a lot of them, go look.
He'll also need a domain name. Namecheap.com is where he wants to go.
As for software, I use Notepad, but he could always use Dreamweaver/Bluefish.
Hiring someone to design and code a website is expensive.

 

[helloedchen]

This all depends on how your friend wants to run his e-biz. Does he want to accept credit cards? Or is this a straight paypal operation?

In a nutshell:

1) Get a domain name.
2) Find a host.
3) Get a site designed. Shopping cart style? Designs can run up in the thousands for a very well done site integrated with your cart and billing system you choose.
4) Secure it with SSL if you plan to store customer information and credit cards.
5) Promote it. Make sure your friend factors this cost in. A site does not sell itself without promotion of some sort.

 

[PingSpike]

I think you just need a couple digital cameras and a few confused 18 year old girls, right? I mean, for the basics.

 

[Superwormy]

If he needs hosting, design work, or HTML/CSS/programming work done, I might be interested...

Before he does anything, he needs to have a *really* solid idea of all of the pages he wants on his website and the entire functionaliy of the website. The biggest source of problems when designing websites is people who don't know what they want.

Decide exactly what he wants and get all of his content/text ready.
Buy a domain name
Get a designer/programmer and get the website ready
Find a web host and set up the domain name / hosting
Put the website online

Email: keith [at ] uglyslug.com
AIM: superwormy

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Ok thanks guys, I will let him read this thread.