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[markspark]

Hi guys and gals im looking to build a website for my electrical contracting company do you know of any free software out there that will help me as i dont have a clue where to start
TIA

[dbug]

Windows notepad 

[tidla]

Windows notepad 

somebody recommended that method to me also. they neglected to mention the 3" book from the library as well..

[markspark]

ummmmmmmm

[Kevin Wood]

I would just install a freebie content management system, tweak one of the default styles to suit your application and after that it's just a matter of logging in and typing.

The site content is then separated from the style and presentation so you can tweak it easily in future. It's stored in a database so it's easy to back up. Furthermore, you'll find plenty of plugins that you can attach should you require calendars, galleries, shops and forums later on.

I have done the above with both Drupal www.drupal.org and Wordpress www.wordpress.org. I would say Wordpress was the easiest to get up and running and the best suited for smaller menu-based or blog style sites. Drupal can cope with much more complex sites but is more of a pig to drive.

You will need hosting that can support a database and PHP.

Here's a Wordpress site that 2 of us put together in a couple of evenings for the local radio club. http://www.hogsback-arc.org.uk/

I should point out that I'm not a web developer although I'm pretty handy with a PC. Just couldn't believe we needed to get an "expert" in and, well.. we have a site that isn't spectacular but does the job IMHO.

One word of advice: Purchase and register your domain name separately and ensure you can manage it directly. Don't just get it lumped in with cheap web space. That way, if your hosting providers turn out to be a bunch of scrotes you can easily shift your site elsewhere and you won't find that it's actually registered to them and not you!

[markspark]

I would just install a freebie content management system, tweak one of the default styles to suit your application and after that it's just a matter of logging in and typing.

The site content is then separated from the style and presentation so you can tweak it easily in future. It's stored in a database so it's easy to back up. Furthermore, you'll find plenty of plugins that you can attach should you require calendars, galleries, shops and forums later on.

I have done the above with both Drupal www.drupal.org and Wordpress www.wordpress.org. I would say Wordpress was the easiest to get up and running and the best suited for smaller menu-based or blog style sites. Drupal can cope with much more complex sites but is more of a pig to drive.

You will need hosting that can support a database and PHP.

Here's a Wordpress site that 2 of us put together in a couple of evenings for the local radio club. http://www.hogsback-arc.org.uk/

I should point out that I'm not a web developer although I'm pretty handy with a PC. Just couldn't believe we needed to get an "expert" in and, well.. we have a site that isn't spectacular but does the job IMHO.

One word of advice: Purchase and register your domain name separately and ensure you can manage it directly. Don't just get it lumped in with cheap web space. That way, if your hosting providers turn out to be a bunch of scrotes you can easily shift your site elsewhere and you won't find that it's actually registered to them and not you!

Can you give me a little more info on this please where would i buy a domain??

[TheBoy]

One word of advice: Purchase and register your domain name separately and ensure you can manage it directly. Don't just get it lumped in with cheap web space. That way, if your hosting providers turn out to be a bunch of scrotes you can easily shift your site elsewhere and you won't find that it's actually registered to them and not you!

Top advice

[Kevin Wood]

Can you give me a little more info on this please where would i buy a domain??

The only one I have direct experience of is EasyDNS https://web.easydns.com/ although there are plenty more that may or may not be a better bet for you. Here you can register a domain name and they will provide a DNS service only. In other words, you can register a domain name and point this domain name at a server anywhere on the internet, and can define servers for your email, web site and other services separately.

You can then go and get a web hosting account elsewhere, and point your domain name at it. I can't really recommend a web hosting provider, sadly, as the only one I have direct experience of have turned out to be scrotes. Typically, £5 a month will get you something good enough to get you off the ground IME.

They will tell you that you want to get them to register the domain name, etc. to keep it under one roof. Believe me, you don't. Get them to configure a web hosting account for your domain name, but no DNS, then point your domain name at it.

[markspark]

hi thanks for the help here will probably need more along the lines 
but to be going on with am i on the correct track to register my name on a site like this http://www.ukreg.com/register-domains/available-extensions/

all i want is for someone to be able to type in search engine electricain bolton and it will come up with my web page somewhere on that search page then they can get my details

[dbug]

UKReg are OK as are 1&1Internet - I use both of them for domain registration, domain parking and hosting.

[markspark]

i have gone the ukreg route (fast-host) got the domain and basic host package not to build a site that will be started tomorrow night once i know where to start thanks for the help guys im a complete noob to all this stuff but willing to learn
thanks again where would i be without OOF   

[Terbs]

If you are going to pay for a website host, troll around.
I have just cancelled my website host...bumped the price up to £70 odd per year, B*******s (Fasthosts)

[Kevin Wood]

If you are going to pay for a website host, troll around.
I have just cancelled my website host...bumped the price up to £70 odd per year, B*******s (Fasthosts)

This is why you want control of your domain name and DNS. You can set up your site at another hosting provider and, once everything is tested, flick the switch and dump the previous provider with no downtime or arguments about whether they own your domain name or you do.

[Terbs]

Spot on Kevin

[Kevin Wood]

all i want is for someone to be able to type in search engine electricain bolton and it will come up with my web page somewhere on that search page then they can get my details

This doesn't have much to do with the domain name itself but requires ensuring that the search engines are able to find the appropriate keywords on your site, and encouraging them to rank it highly so it appears top of the list.

I'm really not an expert on that at all, but no doubt others will be able to advise. Failing that, search the web for some ideas on improving your site's ranking.