Spinoff: Breeder Website/do-it-yourself

[Movin Artfully]

Lots of great comments on what NOT to include and what TO include on the breeder website pet peeve thread.

For those of your that do your own breeder websites: what program/sites do you use for help?

Any IMAC users out there who do their own? What have you found helpful?

[Signature]

I do ours and have done several for other farms (I'm not a crazy pro but can do it inexpensively for folks because I just like to do it! :)). I actually just use Yahoo Sitebuilder, free download and it works pretty well. I need to learn to use some better programs so I can do fancier stuff but I am really comfy with it so I am resisting change. LOL :lol:

[EquusMagnificus]

weebly.com ;) See my website for an example!

[ManuelBreedingFarm]

I did ours on my MAC using iweb. I found the program to be very user friendly.

[NorthHillFarm]

I also use Yahoo Sitebuilder.
It is very easy to use for the only moderately computer savvy...I have found a few glitches that I haven't ironed out but I have learned to work around them pretty easily... and (I think) it works with most browsers (I haven't heard otherwise anyway)...
It certainly isn't a professional's job but I like to think it looks pretty professional without having paid the big bucks...

[horsetales]

Another who uses the Yahoo Sitebuilder. I found it easy to use and there are fancier applications I have yet to need or use.

[Dance_To_Oblivion]

I also used the iWeb program on my Mac. Found it to be fairly simple and while I am not completely finished (I need to get some better pictures once spring gets here) and iron some things out I feel that the program has been useful.

[BitterAJ]

I used Moonfruit, and found it pretty simple and like what I got out of it.

[rideagoldenpony]

You might think about having a professional build you a templage just for you, and then you can handle your own updates with whatever software they suggest.

I built web sites for many years, including my own -- until I finally decided that the graphics had passed me by. I just didn't have the knowledge to create what I wanted anymore, so I hired Lizard Graphics (Liz Hall of Silverwood Sport Horses) and she built me a gorgeous template, and I do all of my own updates/new page creation. The best of both worlds, for me.

[TwoDreamRides]

I used Tripod for ours and pay a minimal fee to eliminate pop-ups. At some point we will upgrade to our own domain. But, we get plenty of hits and have a place to showcase our stock for now!

[Dressage_Diva333]

I used Moonfruit, and found it pretty simple and like what I got out of it.

I'm using Moonfruit as well to build my new website, I was a little frustrated at first, but it's got a lot of good tools. I'm almost done with the new site, and think it will be a HUGE improvement over the old one... which I just used a Freewebs template for. I started having some serious alignment issues with the Freewebs template, and the customer service couldn't do anything about it... so I decided it was time for a switch.

[Erin Pittman]

I use Macromedia Dreamweaver for ours. I am going to start work on another one soon - my DH is starting a non-profit, Retired Racehorse Training Project, and I'm sure it'll be a doozie. :D

[ShannonD]

I'm currently wrestling with Dreamweaver, though I think I may be in a bit over my head :sadsmile:

[Wayside]

You might think about having a professional build you a templage just for you, and then you can handle your own updates with whatever software they suggest.

I built web sites for many years, including my own -- until I finally decided that the graphics had passed me by. I just didn't have the knowledge to create what I wanted anymore, so I hired Lizard Graphics (Liz Hall of Silverwood Sport Horses) and she built me a gorgeous template, and I do all of my own updates/new page creation. The best of both worlds, for me.

I think that's a fabulous way to go. Your website looks very professional, and you can keep things current.

[Faircourt]

I used Homestead, it was really straight forward and easy to add most pictures. I don't think I have it perfected yet but with no experience builing a website, I found it as uncomplicated as it could get. Also very inexpensive monthly fee.

[Rendaivu]

We did ours using www.palidia.com

[Waterwitch]

I use standard photo editors to resize photos (photoshop and microsoft office photo manager), but other than that I don't use any web design programs. I taught myself basic html and css. I write all of the code from scratch and upload files to my server using CuteFTP.

My website is pretty basic. I enjoy having the ability to change anything I want (within my limited skill set) anytime I want.

The sacrifice is that my website definitely looks a bit homely against some of the very expensive professionally done websites of other breeders in my market. But the trade-off for having total control (and no fee to pay every time I want to tweak something) is worth it to me.

[bloomingtonfarm]

I used Freeweb.com. For $99 per year you eliminate the ads.

It must be very user friendly as I had no idea how to do my own website and particularly no talent at it. I just followed the steps as indicated and it ended up not to bad I guess.

[cmdrcltr]

I do the site for my BO, and I also use Yahoo sitebuilder. I've found it very easy and user friendly.

[Cindy's Warmbloods]

I taught myself html as well but will still use the odd template if I find one I really love. If not I will create one from scratch since it is not a huge deal. I upload with the ftp program and voila it is done!
I agree it is hard to keep up with the graphics end of things and maybe one day I will spring for a custom made professional template.

[citydog]

We've had these threads before.

Most amateur-done websites *really* look it. If you can afford it, make the investment (don't just shop on price) and hire a designer to present your business in a professional way. It's pretty easy now for them to set up a site that you can update yourself without a lot of fuss (or dependence/cost on someone else to maintain).

[Summerwood]

I have used Yahoo sitebuilder and Homestead. I decided to try Homestead after seeing a few other welsh breeders using it and liking their sites. In my opinion, my Homestead site turned out better than the Yahoo one (it was my mother-in-law's pony farm site). I could be because I had a bit more experience by the time I got to building mine on Homestead. Both are cheap and user-friendly. I have since done away with the yahoo site and am now only using Homestead. I looked into Dreamweaver but it looked like it was over my head and I was told by a computer guy that it probably would be difficult for me if I didn't know html. My polo site was done professionally and there is a definate difference--no way could I have done that! Perhaps down the road if my ponies ever turn a profit I will spring for a professional site. Until then my ponies will have to be featured on home-made pages!! :)

[Jumper Breeder]

I have a MAC as well and used iWeb. I am going to redesign mine using dreamweaver, but just haven't found the time. I think you will like iWeb, it is pretty easy to use! I really don't have any complaints - just want to incorporate some more dynamics using Flash.

[GGStables]

Gosh, I've just added my post on the other thread as I actually made my very first site over the Christmas holidays, without knowing about this. What odd timing!:)

I used the webs.com features and tweaked the template as best I could.

GreenGate Stables
http://ggstables.webs.com/

[Fairview Horse Center]

I will third the homestead.com. Easy to use, very inexpensive.

[Movin Artfully]

Thanks to everyone for your input and ideas! :) Also, really cool to see your websites in your signature lines and what programs were used to make them!

[Hiddenacresmi]

I hired someone to build my site. She then had me buy Dreamweaver MX and taught me how to maintain it myself. Since they I have built 3 other websites on a volunteer basis for some horsie clubs I belong too. Dreamweaver is not hard to us. I agree though it's the graphics that either make or break the site. Invest in that as well OR learn how to use Paint Shop.

[Tamara in TN]

I used Frontpage for the first one...it was 1998 after all;)
when that was discontinued I went to Adobe Dreamweaver...
Tamara in TN

[Daventry]

Most amateur-done websites *really* look it. If you can afford it, make the investment (don't just shop on price) and hire a designer to present your business in a professional way. It's pretty easy now for them to set up a site that you can update yourself without a lot of fuss (or dependence/cost on someone else to maintain).


As a professional web designer myself, we don't all charge an arm and a leg for a nice looking website. Most of my clients pay well under $500 US for a finshed site that looks professional and is compatible in all browsers.

Daventry Web Productions
www.daventrywebproductions.com (http://www.daventrywebproductions.com)

[Daventry]

I used Freeweb.com. For $99 per year you eliminate the ads.



You are paying too much! You shouldn't be paying more than $6.95 US per month or approximately $85 a year for website hosting and your domain name together. :no: And that includes services like a secure server, streaming videos, 2 GB of storage, email addresses, etc.

Tracy Dopko
Daventry Web Productions
www.daventrywebproductions.com (http://www.daventrywebproductions.com)

[NoDQhere]

I went to school, online, to learn web page design. It wasn't terribly expensive and I got Front Page then. I've always tried to keep our web site easy to get around on and haven't tried to get into too much "dazzle".

We use GoDaddy.com for hosting and have been very happy. Reasonable costs, excellent free tech support.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

I've used Networksolutions.com before for a different kind of site and was very happy with what we got for the money.

I decided to try and build a site with iPage and am NOT happy at all!! The templates they show to lure you in are not the FREE templates that you think you are getting for signing up for a year's service. Very peeved. So I started talking a bit about what I'm up to on a blog instead (as I don't really have anything "for sale" at this point, but wanted something more to share with family and friends).

My breeding ventures thus far are such a money drain and I'm probably keeping my frist foal, so I'm not "writing" anything off. Therefore, I have a hard time justifying the expense of a professional website for my hobby, but if I continue down this road in the future would like to go that route.

[okggo]

Mine is pretty simple and probably looks like I did it myself, but for a small farm - it gets the point across that I want to, I can change as I need, etc - I use Dreamweaver and photo impact pro. Got a lot to learn, but I like the ability to control it. If I had a huge horse business, I'd likely invest in a pro :)

[Daydream Believer]

Mine was built in IWeb and I did it myself. I also find Iweb to be very easy but I would like to be able to slideshows and stuff...so I may more to another program at some point. For now, it works.

[Q.H.D.Q.]

Wow, am I glad I found this thread!

I am supposed to be building a website for our barn and I have NO experience with website design (but a few friends who have business websites).

The recommendations here are great. I've been checking out the great barn websites you have linked, also the website builders you have recommended.

We want to start off with something simple and straightforward, so I'm thinking about webs.com (formerly freewebs) and iweb.

One thing I'm confused about is how to get a domain name that has just "com" in the web address and not "homestead.com" or something like that, that will be harder for people to remember. I'd like them to be able to just type in "www.barnname.com". Do all the web hosts let you do that?

[okggo]

One thing I'm confused about is how to get a domain name that has just "com" in the web address and not "homestead.com" or something like that, that will be harder for people to remember. I'd like them to be able to just type in "www.barnname.com". Do all the web hosts let you do that?

I purchased mine at godaddy.com and then masked the actual URL (which is actually hosted thru comcast cuz I get the web space with my internet service).

[AdAblurr02]

Another Dreamweaver user here. It is not all that tough to get around in, lots of stuff I have not yet delved into, but then, I tend to not like a lot of the "fancy" business, and I HATE flash effects. I love the thing that it has where you can use a "design" screen (WYSIWYG), a "code" screen, (full html - aackk) OR a split screen, where you can see both code and design views - now, that's a great little learning tool for me!

I had the site done originally by a pro - old school gal who just could NOT get along with Dreamweaver, so she sold me the program and I just plunged in. Doing little edits got me up and running, and I DID buy a book that was more informative (or maybe friendlier), "Dreamweaver MX Solutions".

Adobe has a WONDERFUL forum for technical questions, peopled by some incredibly kind super-nerd people who patiently walked me through a couple of confusing places. Well, that one guy wasn't so kind - said my site looked like it was straight out of the nineties, whatever that means. :confused: A couple others scolded that person roundly, however, pointing out that I was OBVIOUSLY not a web professional! :)

For our uses, I think that it serves. People are more concerned with seeing the horses than they are with my level of web expertise!

:D

[AdAblurr02]

Wow, am I glad I found this thread!
<SNIP>
One thing I'm confused about is how to get a domain name that has just "com" in the web address and not "homestead.com" or something like that, that will be harder for people to remember. I'd like them to be able to just type in "www.barnname.com". Do all the web hosts let you do that?

To get rid of all the ads and "stuff" that come with free hosting sites, you will have to buy a domain name - ie, "YOURBARN.COM", through a hosting service (we use Network Solutions).

MOST hosting services have many levels of hosting package - numerous email addresses, multiple domain names - sky's the limit. For a fully owned professional grade site, it would behoove you to just bite the bullet - security is better too!

[Fairview Horse Center]

One thing I'm confused about is how to get a domain name that has just "com" in the web address and not "homestead.com" or something like that, that will be harder for people to remember. I'd like them to be able to just type in "www.barnname.com". Do all the web hosts let you do that?

The Homestead site will walk you thru getting your own domain name (yourfarmname.com), and point your site to that name.

You can have a basic site up in just a few minutes.

[Sunnydays]

I'm using Coffee Cup Software. My son did the basic "shell", and I do the maintenance. However, I just got a new computer ... so don't know what I'll do going forward (Linux system - so I don't have Coffee Cup right now.:cry:

[Home Again Farm]

I started using GoLive back in 1999 and now use Dreamweaver. Lynda.com has some excellent Dreamweaver tutoring videos. My favorite book on webdesign is Robin William's "The Non-Designer's Web Book." Great stuff about design basics, things to do and not to do that apply to any website.

[ShannonD]

Thank you to the OP for posting this. Some great information, and finding iWeb on my computer has made my life so much easier :)

[ShannonD]

Mine was built in IWeb and I did it myself. I also find Iweb to be very easy but I would like to be able to slideshows and stuff...so I may more to another program at some point. For now, it works.

I just wanted to say that in my new adventure into iWeb, it seems that you CAN do slideshows. Perhaps you are using an older version than I am?

[Movin Artfully]

Thank again to everyone for the great suggestions, ideas, and for sharing your sites!

Based on info you all gave...I braved iWeb for the first time and got a domain/hosting through godaddy.com. I have to say- iWeb was pretty straight forward and I am ENTIRELY impressed with godaddy's customer service. They answered TONS of questions ...no matter how admittedly novice...without making me like a dunce!

It is still a work in progress...but I am pretty happy with how it is working out! :yes:

Final product in my new signature line:

[Dance_To_Oblivion]

Looks great Movin Artfully!! I love the pictures :)

[Q.H.D.Q.]

I love your site too, Movin Artfully.

I didn't even know enough to know that you could use two different services (e.g., iweb and godaddy). That makes a big difference.