norm_snyder Posted September 7, 2008 Share #1 Posted September 7, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) As is the case with a number of people on the forum over time, I'm finally getting around to trying to put together a website with a minimum of fuss. I've looked at a number of customizable template-based sites, many of which seem to offer considerable flexibility. What is the experience of others currently. Jaap's new site is quite enjoyable, but seems a bit tougher than some to navigate [the work is great], and I've followed Imants' site for some time, but would like larger on screen presentation [My vanity?]. Has anyone looked at Bludomain? What's the experience like with it, and with Bigfolio? --Norm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 7, 2008 Posted September 7, 2008 Hi norm_snyder, Take a look here Template-based website construction. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
johnwolf Posted September 14, 2008 Share #2 Posted September 14, 2008 Norm, I see you received no responses. Perhaps you were too specific asking about those two sites. I think it comes down to your goals for your site. $650 seems high for a set-up fee, unless your site is generating income. I do my own (admittedly crude) site (John Wolf Photography) using Dreamweaver with Yahoo hosting. It's adequate for me. Have you considered Zenfolio, PBase, and such? I'm not a fan of template sites because they look like, well, template sites. But the Flash based templates are pretty easy to use. I'd just choose a style you like with simple, clean navigation and go with it. Keep things well organized on you local drive, so if you change services you'll be ready to implement something new. If you like the horizontal scrolling functionality, you might look at FolioLink. http://www.marktucker.com uses it nicely. I think the price is more reasonable than the two you mention. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted September 15, 2008 Share #3 Posted September 15, 2008 If you work with Lightroom you might take a look at The Turning Gate Galleries. all you need then is a hosting site. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_dykstra Posted September 15, 2008 Share #4 Posted September 15, 2008 Hi Norm. I've recently been through this process. The link below shows the site I've created for my childrens' band, with no background in web design. I used iWeb on a mac, pulling photos from iPhoto and videos from iMovie - all perfectly integrated packages. It's too easy! http://web.mac.com/theberrysband I'd be happy to help with what I've learnt about getting the site indexed on search engines and the like. Regards, Rick. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwolf Posted September 25, 2008 Share #5 Posted September 25, 2008 Norm, I just came across this and thought of your post: VisualServer Websites for Artists | Website Creator - Content Manager John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted September 25, 2008 Share #6 Posted September 25, 2008 Norm, I just came across this and thought of your post: VisualServer Websites for Artists | Website Creator - Content Manager John John, I looked at your site, and I think it is great. Spare and elegant. More importantly, the pictures are just superb. All should look. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
srivastava Posted September 27, 2008 Share #7 Posted September 27, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use smugmug (SmugMug Photo Sharing. Your photos look better here.) and Rapidweaver (Realmac Software - Creative Web Design Software for Macs) on mac for hosting pictures.Both are good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted September 27, 2008 Share #8 Posted September 27, 2008 As is the case with a number of people on the forum over time, I'm finally getting around to trying to put together a website with a minimum of fuss. I've looked at a number of customizable template-based sites, many of which seem to offer considerable flexibility. What is the experience of others currently. Jaap's new site is quite enjoyable, but seems a bit tougher than some to navigate [the work is great], and I've followed Imants' site for some time, but would like larger on screen presentation [My vanity?]. Has anyone looked at Bludomain? What's the experience like with it, and with Bigfolio? --Norm Norm, I spent some time researching my site with a starting requirement similar to yours. After shying away from expensive bespoke solutions and not having the time to develop one myself from scratch, I finally settled on a trial with Websites for photographers : 30 day free trial - Photium which I converted into a permanent arrangement. Customer sites profiled included at least one client from the USA. Support has been phenomenal! Although it is based on a template system to cut costs, there is a fair degree of flexibility over how you use it. More importantly, I have total control over my site content and even have a private section for offering clients material exclusively. This is not visible until a password is sent to the client. I find this feature extremely useful. My site is new and only went live in July but has already received over 3,000 hits. (I have no idea whether this is a good or bad performance, but I was pleasantly surprised.) It is gradually evolving and I would welcome your constructive comments for improvements - in a pm if you prefer. If you go for a template solution I strongly recommend that you go for a free trial period first to see if it works for you and to test the level of support which is so essential for a beginner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB Posted September 28, 2008 Share #9 Posted September 28, 2008 Breezebrowser auto generates html pages which are easily customized. Many people have produced their own templates which can be adapted to your specific needs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest joewehry Posted September 29, 2008 Share #10 Posted September 29, 2008 If you have a Mac, try RapidWeaver from Realmacsoftware.com Easy to set up and manage. The trial version you can download to see how you like it lasts for 30 days, but limited to 3 pages so you can get your feet wet with the various types of pages. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 30, 2008 Share #11 Posted September 30, 2008 Hi Norm. I've recently been through this process. The link below shows the site I've created for my childrens' band, with no background in web design. I used iWeb on a mac, pulling photos from iPhoto and videos from iMovie - all perfectly integrated packages. It's too easy! http://web.mac.com/theberrysband I'd be happy to help with what I've learnt about getting the site indexed on search engines and the like. Regards, Rick. The problem with iWeb is that it's u_n_b_e_l_i_e_v_a_b_l_y slow to load. Even on 8MB ADSL and Safari on 10.5.5 (I have just typed this and your page STILL hasn't loaded...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alman1 Posted September 30, 2008 Share #12 Posted September 30, 2008 Hi everybody i am web developer and photographer, i did my own gallery / blog, call it a photoblog, or a mess as you like. Inparis.me Templates and photosharing sites may be great, but they make me feel like living in a street where everybody has the same house. By the way, all pics on the site were made with my digilux 2, i love this camera. Sorry, it is my first post here and kind of auto promotion at the same time, almost rude... I read a lot and post very little Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 30, 2008 Share #13 Posted September 30, 2008 Mine is with Clikpic (see link). Its very easy to use but is also restricted in what you can do with it. Photo's could be larger too. But it's fine for my purposes at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_dykstra Posted October 4, 2008 Share #14 Posted October 4, 2008 The problem with iWeb is that it's u_n_b_e_l_i_e_v_a_b_l_y slow to load. Even on 8MB ADSL and Safari on 10.5.5 (I have just typed this and your page STILL hasn't loaded...) You reckon it's slow from your end. Try putting stuff onto it! And they've had major probs with iDisk from the .me and iPhone rollout. But it's working for us. I'll be looking into how I can use iWeb to maintain the site, but host it on our own domain, with hopefully faster downloads. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted October 6, 2008 Share #15 Posted October 6, 2008 Like James I am also with Clikpic, have been for some time and it suits my purposes very well.......very easy and quick to maintain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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