Hey all! I need the steps as to how to build a website for my dad's business. I'm going to be learning CSS and XHTML as well as Java for the nitty gritty stuff on the site. But as for domain name and webhosting, do you guys know of any that is reasonable?

Also, what is FTP? Is it necessary for the website?

Thanks in advance everyone!


-SupAhShyGuy (CrazyBagaDonits)

supahshyguy wrote:

Hey all! I need the steps as to how to build a website for my dad's business. I'm going to be learning CSS and XHTML as well as Java for the nitty gritty stuff on the site. But as for domain name and webhosting, do you guys know of any that is reasonable?

Also, what is FTP? Is it necessary for the website?

Thanks in advance everyone!


-SupAhShyGuy (CrazyBagaDonits)

FTP is File Transfer Protocol. It's a mechanism for transferring files to and from servers. You will either use that or an SSH/SFTP (Secure Shell, Secure File Transfer Protocol) link up.

If you've never built a website, a good place to start instead of coding everything from scratch is to customise a Content Management System such as Wordpress. Wordpress provides all the low level stuff that takes weeks to code such as post handling, file system stuff etc.

The best way to learn any web technology IMHO is start off with the W3 Schools tutorials and also use the Sitepoint material. I would however reccomend that you ignore XHTML and move straight to HTML4/5 as XHTML is a bit of a backwater at the moment as the future standard has been dropped. To learn CSS, HTML, Javascript should take about six months of practice. To learn Java on it's own takes about three years.

A cautionary note : Java is not Javascript. Although there is a similarity of name, the two technologies are radically different.

As for hosting, you'll need to describe your Dad's business a bit.

Souljah E wrote:

As for hosting, you'll need to describe your Dad's business a bit.

Dental practice. I just need to make basic pages that provide information as a marketing tool. On the website, there should be essential information regarding business information like telephone number, address, directions and whatnot.

Thanks for the heads up on the Java. I've got a firm grasp on HTML, but I'll check out WordPress.

HostMySite.com is one we recommend for business account.

BTW... I highly recommend establishing an arrangement with a local website designer/builder. Sure you can learn the basics necessary to get started. However, learning the advanced programming to really use the website to build business for the practice might be another matter. I have yet to see a business start out on a shoe string budget to save money, not go back and invest in a professional's assistance in either updating or starting over.

You should consider getting RFPs from at least 3 website vendors in order to get the best price.

Good luck.

Well, I'm a noobie when it comes to this stuff. On my Mac Book Pro, I'm just using iWeb and when I'm done making edits to the look and feel of the business (which is just an informative marketing tool, not an intricate E-commerce site) I'll be uploading it to my MobileMe which is a basic 15 GB of HD storage online.

What do you guys think? Is this viable?

And shoe string is all I got to work with. Apparently, my parents want me to turn water to wine next.

supahshyguy wrote:

And shoe string is all I got to work with. Apparently, my parents want me to turn water to wine next.

Hey, I understand. Most business would love having the same miracle. Sometimes you just have to walk away, although it's hard to walk away from your parents and a potentially bad decision to not invest in a proper project.

supahshyguy wrote:

Souljah E wrote:

As for hosting, you'll need to describe your Dad's business a bit.

Dental practice. I just need to make basic pages that provide information as a marketing tool. On the website, there should be essential information regarding business information like telephone number, address, directions and whatnot.

Thanks for the heads up on the Java. I've got a firm grasp on HTML, but I'll check out WordPress.

Wordpress do a managed hosting option that requires very little input from you to be awesome. It's $15 per year to use your own domain and there are a few other features you might want to turn on. As your skill grows you can manipulate the default templates to make your own then start coding from scratch, it's a very relaxed learnng curve that offers immediate results. Any job I do under £200 ($300) is usually done with a supercustom install of Wordpress, that way I keep the cost down for the client but still retain good security. If you host with Wordpress.com you take away the problem of having to do your own server admin but lose access to some advanced features. You can start with their free package and then add the goodies later

for Souljah. I would agree with pretty much everything he said. Just adding my two cents