[airforceone]

At the tender age of 50, I've finally found the need to design my first webpage. Can anyone recommend a good site to do this? Taking into account, price, ease, quality, etc. Should I look for a host first? Should I go to a site that has templates? I sincerely appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thanks ahead

- AF1

[etaf]

depoends on what you want out of the exercise

If you just want a webpage - google supply templates , and host all for free
http://sites.google.com/?hl=en&tab=w3&pli=1

If you want to get into webdesign, then I would suggest learning HTML first - there are a considerable number of tutorials on the web for this

What is it you want out of the exercise

[airforceone]

Thanks etaf. I didn't realize google had that for free. I'll check that out first.

I am writing a book, still have a bit to go before i query a publisher/agent, but I figure having a good website up and running might be a good idea.

[etaf]

So you dont want to learn web design, just use it as a source for the book, in that case I suggest trying out google

If you want a domain name you can also buy one of those and using various sites like
http://www.freeparking.co.uk/
http://www.123-reg.co.uk/

you can then point your domain name to the google pages you have created

i'm sure that will be a lot more suggestions here for alternatives

[airforceone]

Originally Posted by etaf

So you dont want to learn web design, just use it as a source for the book, in that case I suggest trying out google

If you want a domain name you can also buy one of those and using various sites like
http://www.freeparking.co.uk/
http://www.123-reg.co.uk/

you can then point your domain name to the google pages you have created

i'm sure that will be a lot more suggestions here for alternatives

Thanks again. I checked them out. I like that freeparking.co.uk. Do you think google is also a good site to have a personal/family type of website? What's the advantage of having a domain name?

[etaf]

Yes I think google is OK - there are a lot of sites that provide templates, so a lot will be personal choice - and as i say you may get better alternatives suggested here

The advantage of the domain name is that you can decide on the name rather than google

so instead of
sites.google.com/site (where site is the name) http://googlesitesblog.blogspot.com/...ur-domain.html
it would maybe something like
www.bookname.co.uk
www.author.co.uk

depending on whatis free

[airforceone]

Originally Posted by etaf

Yes I think google is OK - there are a lot of sites that provide templates, so a lot will be personal choice - and as i say you may get better alternatives suggested here

The advantage of the domain name is that you can decide on the name rather than google

so instead of
sites.google.com/site (where site is the name) http://googlesitesblog.blogspot.com/...ur-domain.html
it would maybe something like
www.bookname.co.uk
www.author.co.uk

depending on whatis free

Ok. I follow. Thanks again for the advice. Cheers!

- AF1

[Squashman]

Check out Square Space. They have a 14 day trial and their monthly rates are pretty cheap.
http://www.squarespace.com/

[airforceone]

Thank you Squashman. Checking that site out right now.

[airforceone]

That squarespace looks like a bargain!