[Nicksyb]

So I really want to tackle making my own website in addition to my new website.

This will be an ongoing pet project for me. I have chosen ZenCart as the shopping cart I want to use.

So what do I do now?

I've just written that and can just picture you all slapping your heads thinking oh god she wants to do her own website and she has just asked where to start

[pvcprinting]

Maybe a seperate section for online tutorials....would also be interested in this

Even if it is only to learn the basics...in plain ENGLISH

[andysv1k]

Its always good to start with notepad and a basic html tutor. Having a solid grounding in html will never be wasted.

you could try one like this...

www.pagetutor.com

Andy.

[Paul Norman]

Buy a copy of Eric Meyer on CSS. He will have you building a good quality site, that complies with the best practise!!..Seriously, if you work through one of his examples you will be amazed how much you learn.

[tommy]

Before you start coding anything I think it is always best to sketch or even design a layout in photoshop so you know what you are trying to achieve.

Once you have done that then start the coding, this will save you loads of time in rework.

Also download as many browsers as possible so once you start coding you can test it in all browsers.

[IP2]

Originally Posted by tommy

Also download as many browsers as possible so once you start coding you can test it in all browsers.

Alternatively use this useful link that Mike Seddon posted...
Clever Testing Site

[RedEvo]

If you want to create an online shop that works, ticks the boxes, is search engine friendly, user friendly etc etc etc.........

Don't do it yourself.

It's very very rare that a person with no skills in this area creates a winning website. If you can't afford a pro review your business plan. The web is littered, and I mean littered, with homespun websites that languish in online limbo.

It's hard enough creating a successful online venture without tying your hands behind your back and blindfolding yourself from the outset.

Just my humble opinion......

d

[Nicksyb]

Thanks for all your tips

The reason I want to have a go is so that I can actually prove to myself that I can do it.

As it is a pet project I don't mind it taking a year or so and if it does prove a succesful part of my business then I would think about getting a proper site done by proper people

But for now I am happy tinkering

[awebapart.com]

Originally Posted by Nicksyb

I really want to tackle making my own website...

I have chosen ZenCart as the shopping cart I want to use.

If you are using zencart then you are not really making your own website, you are taking a ready made website, and customising it. If you think about it in these terms then you have already made your own ecommerce website before with your old ekm site.

One difference between ekm and zencart is that since ekm is a commercial, paid for, system, it is a bit further along the line in terms of having the important stuff like seo features already working, whereas zencart needs these integrating (and to integrate these you need to know more than just html/css, it is a software development task involving a good knowledge of php and mysql).

Whilst open source solutions might sound like the cheap option for DIY projects they can be a false economy once you have to pay developers, at developer rates, to integrate the important stuff, which is why you should also consider more commercial ecommerce systems (e.g. cubecart, cs-cart, x-cart, actinic) which are closer to your final goal.

[Paul Norman]

Red is spot on. If you want results from a site, especially e commerce, then it does pay to go to the professionals.

However, if you are wanting, for the learning and amusement, to build your own, then Paul's post above is also true!