Elizabeth Hewitt on thu 13 sep 07
Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs did =
you
find that lend well to pottery sites? I=92m thinking of doing it =93for =
real=94
this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software. I
looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but doesn=92t =
show up
on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used that one and would you
recommend it to others? I was interested in the fact that it makes the
connections for Paypal and shopping cart easy. On the websites on many =
of
our members, I see where an email to the potter is requested to specify
interest in a purchase. Is that for convenience, safety or something of
which I=92m not thinking? Or is it to give the customer the option to =
ask
questions before purchasing? That would make sense. I don=92t have =
knowledge
of HTML and no interest in learning it. I do see that it isn=92t =
necessary
with many of the software programs.
=20
I checked out our archives and couldn=92t find anything at all about =
website
programs that are being used by our members.
=20
Thank you for any help you can be.
Elizabeth Hewitt
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.=20
Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.16/1005 - Release Date: =
9/13/2007
11:45 AM
=20
Gordon Ward on thu 13 sep 07
If you are looking for a free program to build a website, you might =20
try Netscape Composer. It's probably not a bad place to start.
Look at this site for some background info:
http://www.arts-careers.com/websites/learnhtml.htm
There is a pretty good tutorial for Composer at:
http://www.csulb.edu/~jvancamp/composer.html
Check around, there are many other independent tutorials.
Here is a simple website built with Composer:
http://www.laa4art.org/
I have used something similar called Site Builder which is provided =20
free with an Earthlink account.
Have fun.
Gordon
On Sep 13, 2007, at 7:16 AM, Elizabeth Hewitt wrote:
> Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs =20
> did you
> find that lend well to pottery sites? I=92m thinking of doing it =93for =
=20
> real=94
> this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software. I
> looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but doesn=92t =20=
> show up
> on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used that one and would =20=
> you
> recommend it to others? I was interested in the fact that it =20
> makes the
> connections for Paypal and shopping cart easy. On the websites on =20
> many of
> our members, I see where an email to the potter is requested to =20
> specify
> interest in a purchase. Is that for convenience, safety or =20
> something of
> which I=92m not thinking? Or is it to give the customer the option to =20=
> ask
> questions before purchasing? That would make sense. I don=92t have =20=
> knowledge
> of HTML and no interest in learning it. I do see that it isn=92t =20
> necessary
> with many of the software programs.
>
>
>
> I checked out our archives and couldn=92t find anything at all about =20=
> website
> programs that are being used by our members.
>
>
>
> Thank you for any help you can be.
>
> Elizabeth Hewitt
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.16/1005 - Release Date: =20
> 9/13/2007
> 11:45 AM
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________________=20=
> ________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =20
> melpots2@visi.com
om on thu 13 sep 07
On Sep 13, 2007, at 7:16 AM, Elizabeth Hewitt wrote:
> Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs =20
> did you
> find that lend well to pottery sites? I=92m thinking of doing it =93for =
=20
> real=94
> this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software.
The best software to use for web design is likely to be the software =20
included as part of your webhosting package. There are a number of =20
great open source packages that can help you put together a very nice =20=
site. For example, Gallery2 is for setting up photo galleries and =20
Wordpress is a very nice blogging package. Usually, your host will =20
provide a utility called "fantisco" which will install the software =20
on your server. This software does not live on your computer at home =20=
-- it exists on the server that hosts your page.
The programs are database driven for content and settings, and =20
template driven for the display. You enter your content through web =20
based forms, many with basic wordprocessing features, and the =20
software takes care of the way in which the information is =20
displayed. It's very easy once you get used to the idea that you =20
don't design the page directly as you would a letter or a brochure on =20=
your home computer. The really nice thing about separating content =20
from the manner in which it is displayed, is that if you decide to =20
change the look of your website, it is a simple matter because you =20
need only change the design parameters. The content will remain the =20
same but you aren't distracted by the design elements. Likewise, if =20
you decide to change the content and not the design, the process is =20
simplified because you need only change your content without worrying =20=
about design parameters. As a result, adding content to your website =20=
is a very simple matter.
> I looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but =20
> doesn=92t show up
> on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used that one and would =20=
> you
> recommend it to others?
There are many programs that will allow you to make the site and then =20=
upload to your server. I have played around with Apple's iWeb, but =20
found that it was limiting and annoying when compared to the ease of =20
use you get with the database driven packages.
> I was interested in the fact that it makes the
> connections for Paypal and shopping cart easy. On the websites on =20
> many of
> our members, I see where an email to the potter is requested to =20
> specify
> interest in a purchase. Is that for convenience, safety or =20
> something of
> which I=92m not thinking?
I used to sell translations of a Japanese book about anagama kilns. =20
When I started, I would sell 1 book per 4-6 weeks -- people had to =20
email me to make arrangements. I started that way because I didn't =20
really want to take the time to learn how to do the ecommerce stuff. =20=
I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sure I'm not alone. When I went =20
to a system where people could buy the without ever sending me an =20
email, my volume went up to 2-4 per month. For some reason, people =20
really don't want to talk to you directly.
As for setting up payments through paypal, it is very easy without =20
any sort of software. You will get a merchant account (stick with =20
the free ones) and there is place on paypal's site where you can =20
create a "buy now" button. You simply fill in some simple forms, and =20=
it creates a block of HTML code. You copy and paste that into your =20
HTML document and voila -- people can just click and buy the item.
If you want to get into having a "real" store, that same fantastico =20
system will install zencart or oscommerce for you. Zencart is better =20=
in my opinion, but both of these are significantly more complicated =20
to customize than are the Wordpress or Gallery2 packages. The =20
instructions for setting up payment methods are clear enough, but =20
banking is a complicated process and you _will_ invest time in =20
learning or you won't do it.
> I don=92t have knowledge
> of HTML and no interest in learning it. I do see that it isn=92t =20
> necessary
> with many of the software programs.
If you want to make a website that is rarely updated, the wysiwyg =20
editors are probably adequate. Realize of course that what you see =20
is not what everyone else will see. There are a number of operating =20
systems (and versions) as well as browsers (and versions). What =20
looks right on Windows 98 in Internet Explorer might be completely =20
unreadable on a Mac with Firefox. What looks right in WinXP in =20
Internet Explorer 7, might completely fail on WinXP with IE5.5 or =20
whatever.
Finally, if you already have MS Word, I believe it will just save =20
documents as HTML documents (do a save as and look for the option). =20
Theoretically, you could design your page like you would any =20
wordprocessing document, then upload the files to your webhost. If =20
you don't have MS Word, OpenOffice will do this: http://=20
openoffice.org This is a basic workable solution and doesn't =20
require much in the way of upfront learning time, but you'll pay for =20
it in the end if your site grows to any real size -- the time cost of =20=
updating a static website is enormous.
Secondly, even if you use one form of design software or another, if =20
you are going to make paypal buttons, you will need to know where in =20
the documents to put them. If you are building static pages on your =20
home computer with some software you picked up, you'll still have to =20
read the HTML (just formatting codes really) to figure out where in =20
the document to paste in the button code. With the blogging software =20=
I mentioned earlier, it's actually easier to paste in the paypal =20
button code, because although you do have to view your article in =20
HTML mode, the amount of HTML actually embedded in the article is =20
close to nothing -- thus it is easy to see where to put the button.
So here are some links:
Gallery2 demo: http://gallery.menalto.com/gallery
Some Gallery2 themes: http://codex.gallery2.org/=20
Category:Gallery_2:Themes
Wordpress: http://wordpress.org/
Wordpress themes: http://themes.wordpress.net/
(notice how the content remains the same, just the presentation =20
changes -- obviously, you will need to learn some skills if you want =20
customize the themes)
OpenOffice: http://www.openoffice.org/
(supported by Sun Microsystems)
Iif you want to have a website, please plan on investing time to =20
learn. Nothing worth doing can be done well without a time =20
investment. It wouldn't be unreasonable to think it will take you =20
100 hours or more to develop some basic skills that will enable you =20
do what you want. I've spent huge blocks of time over the last =20
decade learning various things and the amount I don't know how to do, =20=
absolutely dwarfs the amount I do know how to do. I'm not trying to =20
discourage you at all, I just hope you approach this with the correct =20=
expectations. You know, it isn't reasonable to think one can learn =20
to throw a perfect vase in a few hours having never touched clay =20
before. It might even be unreasonable to think one can learn that =20
skill in a decade. Anyway, I'd be happy to assist in any way I can. =20=
My email address is good and frequently checked, so feel free to drop =20=
me a note.
Odin
anagama blog:
http://www.anagama-west.com/firing_log
Jeff Brown on thu 13 sep 07
Elizabeth,
Dreamweaver is the best I have seen. You can do most anything you need to
do, it is easy to use, and it may even help you to learn a bit of HTML...
Jeff Brown
950 1st NH Turnpike
Northwood, NH 03261
(603) 942-8829
http://www.jeffbrownpottery.com
On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:16:53 -0400, Elizabeth Hewitt
wrote:
>Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs did you
>find that lend well to pottery sites? I=92m thinking of doing it =93for rea=
l=94
>this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software. I
>looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but doesn=92t show =
up
>on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used that one and would you
>recommend it to others? I was interested in the fact that it makes the
>connections for Paypal and shopping cart easy. On the websites on many of
>our members, I see where an email to the potter is requested to specify
>interest in a purchase. Is that for convenience, safety or something of
>which I=92m not thinking? Or is it to give the customer the option to ask
>questions before purchasing? That would make sense. I don=92t have knowled=
ge
>of HTML and no interest in learning it. I do see that it isn=92t necessary
>with many of the software programs.
Josh Berkus on thu 13 sep 07
Elizabeth,
> Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs did you
> find that lend well to pottery sites? I=92m thinking of doing it =93for r=
eal=94
> this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software. I
> looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but doesn=92t sho=
w up
> on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used that one and would you
> recommend it to others? =20
If you're actually building an online store, you need to hire a real web=20
developer to help you. If you are going to be taking people's personal and=
=20
financial information, then you have an obligation to your customers that t=
he=20
site be reasonably secure, which is not something you can do yourself as a=
=20
non-expert.
=46or that matter, if your site isn't secure, it won't be long before some=
=20
teenage script-kiddie defaces it or turns it into a spam engine, erasing yo=
ur=20
web site in the bargain, and maybe getting your domain name blacklisted.
If you are going to base your site on existing online store code, then I'd=
=20
recommend something open source, like Gallery, osCommerce, OFBiz, or=20
Once:Radix. That way you're not the prisoner of a tiny tools vendor who=20
could go out of business, leaving you with a site you can't fix. But you=20
still need to get professional help.
If you have no budget at all, I'd recommend setting up Gallery to display a=
n=20
online Gallery of your pieces (the Gallery Project has a list of recommende=
d=20
hosting providers, many of whom can do the basic setup for a fee) and simpl=
y=20
have e-mail links for people who want to buy from you. After all, it's not=
=20
like you'll be selling 30 pieces a day and need the efficiency of a fully=20
automated online store.
http://gallery.menalto.com/
=2D-=20
The Fuzzy Chef
& Open Source Software Developer
San Francisco
Lee Love on thu 13 sep 07
On 9/13/07, om wrote:
>
> If you want to get into having a "real" store, that same fantastico
> system will install zencart or oscommerce for you.
I recommend Etsy. It is mostly art and craft, but you can also sell
tools and books related to making things, so your book would be
eligible. (Craig Edwards lent me a copy of the kiln book and the
translation.)
https://www.etsy.com/
--
Lee in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
"Making pots should not be a struggle.
It should be like walking down a hill
in a gentle breeze." --Shoji Hamada
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
om on thu 13 sep 07
On Sep 13, 2007, at 11:56 AM, Josh Berkus wrote:
> Elizabeth,
>
>> Any recommendations about easy web design software?...
>
> If you're actually building an online store, you need to hire a
> real web
> developer to help you. If you are going to be taking people's
> personal and
> financial information, then you have an obligation to your
> customers that the
> site be reasonably secure, which is not something you can do
> yourself as a
> non-expert.
One side note, if you use Paypal as a payment processor, either
through the button system you can make at paypal's site or through
shopping cart software, you will not actually be collecting financial
information -- you'll get all the information you need to deliver
your product (name/address), but none of the CC data. Obviously
security is still important, but it isn't quite on the level of
having to protect credit cards. I would however suggest avoiding any
system which requires you to actually "touch" credit card data
because at that point, you are handling some pretty volatile info.
Odin
Earl Krueger on thu 13 sep 07
Fellow Clayarters,
I think Josh, (the one who cooks fuzzy things,
eehhhwwww!), is right on target with this.
I have seen some great web sites with great
pottery, I have also seen more mediocre or
poor web sites, but with great pottery. If
you go to all the trouble to learn and make
great pottery shouldn't your web site be as
good?
Simple site-builder packages are good for
simple sites, such as you would build for
sharing information amongst peers, but if
you are looking to sell your wares through
the internet then there are only two choices:
1). Pay a professional, and I mean a real
professional, not just someone who says
they can build web sites, or
2) Learn the ins and outs of HTML, CSS,
screen resolution, http, https, sessions,
shopping carts, SQL databases, javascript,
active server pages, eccentricities of all the
browsers in usage (iexplorer, Safari, Firefox)
and, most important of all, page design and
usability. Oh, and learn to use the glitzy
stuff sparingly, if at all.
The most important thing I've learned in
30 yrs of writing software is "Just because
you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD!".
earl
Earl Krueger
Elmira, Oregon, usa
Bald Dragon on thu 13 sep 07
Elizabeth,
I'm a software developer by profession and have created both applications
and websites. Although, these days everything seems to be a website. Before
you go and start creating a website you need to know a couple of things.
Websites fall into a minimum of two categories: static and dynamic. Static
sites are easily created using typical HTML tools like NVU, or PageBreeze,
but they don't provide searches, shopping carts, or anything that may chang=
e
(hence static). Now, dynamic sites are like Amazon where you can do
searches, have shopping carts and can do billing.
Since you don't really want to learn web development, (which is more than
just HTML), you'll want to use a Website Builder like IBuilt or something
similar. They take all the complex code behind that runs behind a dynamic
website and make it easy to use (or at least try to). Of-course, this does
restrict your creativity, but it should work for your purposes.
The only deal with a Website Builder is that you will be stuck with the
company you choose. Unfortunately, I can't suggest a particular one as I
tend to create all my sites from scratch=97I like having control. But there
are a huge number of web hosting companies that offer Website Builders and
it is hard to choose. What I can do is give you some things to look for:
1) Make sure they have a good number of templates.
2) They may offer a shopping cart and Google purchase or PayPal, but is it
automatically hooked up to your site, or does it require you to code.
3) Make sure they also host the site you create.
4) Provide a way for you to edit content without having to redesign the
website each time.
Alan.
On 9/13/07, Elizabeth Hewitt wrote:
>
> Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs did you
> find that lend well to pottery sites? I'm thinking of doing it "for real"
> this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software. I
> looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but doesn't show
> up
> on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used that one and would you
> recommend it to others? I was interested in the fact that it makes the
> connections for Paypal and shopping cart easy. On the websites on many of
> our members, I see where an email to the potter is requested to specify
> interest in a purchase. Is that for convenience, safety or something of
> which I'm not thinking? Or is it to give the customer the option to ask
> questions before purchasing? That would make sense. I don't have
> knowledge
> of HTML and no interest in learning it. I do see that it isn't necessary
> with many of the software programs.
>
>
>
> I checked out our archives and couldn't find anything at all about websit=
e
> programs that are being used by our members.
>
>
>
> Thank you for any help you can be.
>
> Elizabeth Hewitt
>
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.16/1005 - Release Date:
> 9/13/2007
> 11:45 AM
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________________=
_____
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
>
Gordon Ward on thu 13 sep 07
If selling from a website is of interest, it might be instructive for
members to share examples of websites that they know of that sell a
substantial amount of work from those sites. I think we may see a
trend in the type of work offered, but not positive about that. If
one's work has mass market appeal, then a shopping cart is probably a
good idea. If the work shown is for more of a niche audience, then I
would question whether the cart is worth the effort. I know there's
a lot of grey in between....
Here's one to start the ball rolling:
http://www.rakufish.com/
Gordon
The Fuzzy Chef on thu 13 sep 07
All,
> One side note, if you use Paypal as a payment processor, either
> through the button system you can make at paypal's site or through
> shopping cart software, you will not actually be collecting financial
> information -- you'll get all the information you need to deliver
> your product (name/address), but none of the CC data.
Couple of cautions on this:
1) Paypal is notorious for having rather less than 100% customer
satisfaction. The vast majority of their customers are very happy with
them but the unfortunate few have lost all their sales money, and been
blacklisted and threatened with legal action in the bargain.
http://www.paypalsucks.com/
Mind you, I don't have a recommendation on an alternate CC processor. Note
that the recommendations on paypalsucks.com are slanted in favor of the
site's sponsors. Google and Amazon offer similar services, as do quite a
number of small independant vendors.
2) While not storing CC informaton makes your site less of a target, note
that an attacker can still hack your site and replace the PayPal (or
whoever) button with a link to their site which only looks like PayPal (or
whoever). So you still have a duty to your customers (and your
pocketbook!) to make sure that your site gets regular security checkups.
Anyway, this is getting kind of off-topic, isn't it?
--
The Fuzzy Chef
San Francisco
Bruce Glassford on thu 13 sep 07
Strangely enough, I just did a talk on some alternatives for
inexpensive and easy web design for another group I belong to. It's
not focussed on pottery, but is a more broad discussion - I've got it
up on my blog at www.benchite.net - it's the current post in the blog
- a powerpoint presentation. Many of the items I mention have
already been listed by others, but you may find some useful
information or at least another way to look at it.
.... Bruce
On 9/13/07, Elizabeth Hewitt wrote:
> Any recommendations about easy web design software? What programs did you
> find that lend well to pottery sites? I'm thinking of doing it "for real"
> this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of software. I
Lois Ruben Aronow on thu 13 sep 07
Microsoft has a program called FrontPage. It has since been discontinued,
but you can find it easily and inexpensively on eBay. It was totally
wysiwyg and drag and drop. It was great for building and maintaining a
basic website.
If you are considering doing ecommerce, you should have a chat with your web
host support staff. Ecommerce takes a whole difference set of tools and
server functions.
> Any recommendations about easy web design software? What
> programs did you find that lend well to pottery sites?
That question is really related to the site design, rather than the program
itself. A poorly designed site that is hard to navigate will kill you.
Search the archives - there is a lot of good info out there on designing a
web site. The should be your first step.
Lois Ruben Aronow on thu 13 sep 07
This is really good advice. I would add to make sure you have a working
knowledge or either Photoshop, Photoshop elements or paint shop pro. Don't
forget to design and create your graphics, and learn how to make them load
quickly.
>
> I'm a software developer by profession and have created both
> applications and websites. Although, these days everything
> seems to be a website. Before you go and start creating a
> website you need to know a couple of things.
> Websites fall into a minimum of two categories: static and
> dynamic. Static sites are easily created using typical HTML
> tools like NVU, or PageBreeze, but they don't provide
> searches, shopping carts, or anything that may change (hence
> static). Now, dynamic sites are like Amazon where you can do
> searches, have shopping carts and can do billing.
>
>
>
> Since you don't really want to learn web development, (which
> is more than just HTML), you'll want to use a Website Builder
> like IBuilt or something similar. They take all the complex
> code behind that runs behind a dynamic website and make it
> easy to use (or at least try to). Of-course, this does
> restrict your creativity, but it should work for your purposes.
>
>
>
> The only deal with a Website Builder is that you will be
> stuck with the company you choose. Unfortunately, I can't
> suggest a particular one as I tend to create all my sites
> from scratch-I like having control. But there are a huge
> number of web hosting companies that offer Website Builders
> and it is hard to choose. What I can do is give you some
> things to look for:
>
>
>
> 1) Make sure they have a good number of templates.
>
> 2) They may offer a shopping cart and Google purchase or
> PayPal, but is it automatically hooked up to your site, or
> does it require you to code.
>
> 3) Make sure they also host the site you create.
>
> 4) Provide a way for you to edit content without having to
> redesign the website each time.
>
>
>
> Alan.
>
>
> On 9/13/07, Elizabeth Hewitt wrote:
> >
> > Any recommendations about easy web design software? What
> programs did
> > you find that lend well to pottery sites? I'm thinking of
> doing it "for real"
> > this time but hardly know where to begin in my decision of
> software. I
> > looked at one yesterday called IBuilt that looked great but doesn't
> > show up on the charts of rated programs. Has anyone used
> that one and
> > would you
> > recommend it to others? I was interested in the fact that
> it makes the
> > connections for Paypal and shopping cart easy. On the
> websites on many
> > of our members, I see where an email to the potter is requested to
> > specify interest in a purchase. Is that for convenience, safety or
> > something of which I'm not thinking? Or is it to give the
> customer the
> > option to ask questions before purchasing? That would make
> sense. I
> > don't have knowledge of HTML and no interest in learning
> it. I do see
> > that it isn't necessary with many of the software programs.
> >
> >
> >
> > I checked out our archives and couldn't find anything at all about
> > website programs that are being used by our members.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you for any help you can be.
> >
> > Elizabeth Hewitt
> >
> >
> > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.16/1005 - Release Date:
> > 9/13/2007
> > 11:45 AM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> ______________________________________________________________________
> > ________ Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> > melpots2@visi.com
> >
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> ________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your
> subscription settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots2@visi.com
scmillers on fri 14 sep 07
I had fun learning html with my son that has passed away. After we learned
the basics we did lot's of copying and pasting. After the web site that we
were using the html coding on got to be a few hundred pages we decided to
use Microsoft Front Page so we didn't have to hand type in so many codes.
Having basic html knowledge can help in building a web site, if your program
will not do something you want it to do, you can search the internet for a
code whether html or javascript and enter it on the page by using the
advanced coding insert, or by adding the coding into the page where you want
it. With the version of Front Page I have now (I've used others), you can
choose to use the design page, the coding page, the preview page or the
split page, so you can easily add the coding on the coding page, then
preview it. If you insert a graphic, link, or code you can quickly move
from the coding page to the design page and other pages - when doing so you
look for the cursor to see where what you added is, this is one of the ways
to figure out the problem. If you know some basic html coding you will be
able to figure out many errors. You can also type into a search engine an
error you are having, and find the fix. I still use much of the basic html
I learned when working on the pages, if I don't like the way something looks
I change it by going to the code page, and figuring out what needs to be
changed.
When uploading files the program usually will upload it all at once. I have
at least 5,000 pages (probably a lot more - haven't tried to count them) and
I cannot load them all at once now as in the rural area where we are located
they do not have cable internet yet.
I haven't started a pottery web site yet, when I do I'll include it in my
signature.
In Christ,
Ava
Daniel Sommerfeld on fri 14 sep 07
Elizabeth,
When I decided to finally post a website I wanted a simple to use program
that worked similar to graphic design software (I use CorelDraw on a
regular basis). I tried a couple different packages, but in the end I
liked Coffeecup's Visual Site Designer - it is a WYSIWYG package. After I
decided on this package I looked for a host and found one that gives me
all of coffeecup's software for free with their hosting package (I chose
lunarpages, but there are many).
I have decided to take a slower approach than you might be considering. I
am holding off on selling online right now. I want to get comfortable
with the design of my site, and then slowly build up to selling. I
personally don't expect to garner enough online business to rush into it
which means it may be a couple years before I get into it. Though, I have
considered trying etsy to see if my work would sell online. I'm
skeptical, but I like to touch and turn a piece before buying. I don't
really have a customer base yet which I think helps online sales.
As far as designing the site yourself versus having it done by a
professional I can only give this advice:
1. How many pieces do you think will sell online every month, and what
percent does that equate to in overall sales? If those numbers are low
then you may consider building your own site, but if you think they may be
high then seriously consider a professional.
2. I personally like the control of my website right now. I can change
photographs and add information or additional pages to my liking without
incurring any additional fees. Now, here is a case for the professional:
Imagine you place a photo of one of your unique pieces for sale with the
paypal logo under it and while you are away from the computer not one, but
three people purchase it because (as far as I understand) a simple paypal
logo doesn't place a "sold" under your piece after the first person buys
it. This may never happen, and while some WYSIWYG softwares may be able
prevent this, I'd have no idea on how to set it up, but a professional
should.
Coffeecup offers free trials of all their software. And surprizingly both
lunarpages and coffeecup have PEOPLE on the other end of the phone when I
have needed them (it was bizarre not to have a computer answer the phone
for either of them), though the decision is yours and I don't have a stake
in either company.
Good luck,
Dan Sommerfeld
www.byhand.us
om on fri 14 sep 07
On Sep 14, 2007, at 7:52 AM, Daniel Sommerfeld wrote:
> Now, here is a case for the professional:
> Imagine you place a photo of one of your unique pieces for sale
> with the
> paypal logo under it and while you are away from the computer not
> one, but
> three people purchase it because (as far as I understand) a simple
> paypal
> logo doesn't place a "sold" under your piece after the first person
> buys
> it.
A good point. When I was using the paypal buttons, they did not
reflect any quantity status. It was OK for the translation because
it was extremely low volume and I could keep a few copies on hand.
But for one of a kind pottery, it's obviously not ideal. You can
always do a refund but that will end up costing you money because of
transaction fees. That limitation is why I decided to use shopping
cart software instead of the buttons.
Oh, and when using the buttons, I still asked people to email me to
ensure I wasn't out of stock but hadn't yet updated the quantity in
stock. Nobody every did. Only very rarely will a customer want to
talk to you. I was never able to understand that.
Odin
Lee Love on fri 14 sep 07
On 9/13/07, Lois Ruben Aronow wrote:
> Microsoft has a program called FrontPage. It has since been discontinued,
> but you can find it easily and inexpensively on eBay. It was totally
> wysiwyg and drag and drop. It was great for building and maintaining a
> basic website.
You can download FrontPage Express here:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/6623/fpx.htm
>
> If you are considering doing ecommerce, you should have a chat with your web
> host support staff. Ecommerce takes a whole difference set of tools and
> server functions.
Check out Etsy. Save headaches. It is all automated.
--
Lee in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
"Making pots should not be a struggle.
It should be like walking down a hill
in a gentle breeze." --Shoji Hamada
http://mashikopots.blogspot.com/
"For a democracy of excellence, the goal is not to reduce things to a
common denominator but to raise things to a shared worth."
--Paolo Soleri
Gordon Ward on fri 14 sep 07
Thanks to all for the informative posts. I've gained a lot of good
information. And probably more to come on this thread...
Gordon
Elizabeth Hewitt on fri 14 sep 07
Yesterday I posted asking about Web design software. You guys are the
greatest. I had many responses and thank all of you for taking the time =
to
give your ideas. I learned several things through your responses. First, =
I
see why I don=92t want PayPal and to become a part of ecommerce. I =
learned
that I really only want a simple sight to display and hopefully sell the
pieces that I=92m making that are mine specifically=85my burled ash =
pieces and
my whimsy pieces for now. Most of the correspondence I receive from ones =
who
have seen my work on Greatpottery.com or HYPERLINK
"http://flickr.com/photos/mudwomp/"http://flickr.com/photos/mudwomp/ are
commenting on or requesting information about those pieces.
Now I need to decide if I really want to create that site or hire =
someone to
do it. Hiring sounds good. ;-) Anyone interested in the job?
Thank you again.=20
Elizabeth
=20
=20
=20
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.=20
Version: 7.5.487 / Virus Database: 269.13.19/1008 - Release Date: =
9/14/2007
8:59 AM
=20
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