Website builder for non techie

ParentsforPlay · #1 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 14:46

Hi all,

I've offered to set up and run a basic website for our local community .

When I first set up the site for parents for play I used the 1&1 website builder tool. I have looked at the Mr site one though that some of you have mentioned before, would I be better with that one or perhaps there is another?

I just need something cheap & cheerful that I can fathom out.

Thanks,

Sarah

OldWelshGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 15:12

Joomla will do all you want and more besides.

awebapart.com · #3 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 18:03

'Local community' websites can mean different things to different people. For some it might mean a basic static website not updated much, for others it might mean a website that is updated regularly with news and events thus growing into a large dynamic site, for others it might mean a website where the community itself can contribute to the content via social networking features, and to others it might mean a forum.

The mass market sitebuilders like mrsite and 1&1 website builder might suffice if it is a small website, and if you are looking at these sitebuilders you should also consider sitebuilders such as Microsoft Office Live basics, and sitebuilders such as instant site from www.123-reg.co.uk (which is a whitelabel version of the US sitebuilder system from Parallels , so you will find this system provided by other hosts too).

With 1&1 and Microsoft Office Live, go for a .co.uk or .org.uk domain name (MS Office Live currently only supports .co.uk out of the .uk domains) since the hosting is in Germany and US respectively and this can confuse the search engines.

With Office Live and MrSite, purchase your domain separately at a domain registrar, you should be able to point it at your new site, and point it away easily if you outgrow the service. This isn't such an issue with 1&1 and 123-reg since they are domain registrars too.

With most cheap mass market sitebuilders they do suffer from the problem of not being designed for too big a website, so if it is a more serious website you need then you should consider more advanced systems like Wordpress or Joomla, but with advanced systems comes more of a learning curve and some techie knowledge.

ParentsforPlay · #4 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 18:17

Thanks for that. It will be a small site but I will probably be updating it weekly/monthly when ever there is anything going on locally.

Sarah

Lasting Designs · #5 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 19:25

www.moonfruit.co.uk is straight forward and have various levels of service from free with ads to biggish sites that cost... and you can have a 14 day trial to see if you like it.

OldWelshGuy · #6 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 20:01

So there will only be you updating it?

ParentsforPlay · #7 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 20:08

Yes and probably have a back up person.

Sarah

Martin-Subbynet · #8 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 10:58

I think I prefer Adobe Contribute to these on-line things, it just makes things a little more flexible if at some stage you want to add functionality not possible with a Web site Builder.

OldWelshGuy · #9 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 12:13

Cost of contribute is expensive though, as you need Dreamweaver to build the original site don't you?

Also if as mentioned there will be a backup person, then that means having two copies of contribute. Bit of a sledghammer to crack a nut really don't you think? This is a non profit site after all

Generate UK · #10 (**permalink**) 24-07-2008, 12:18

Hello ParentsforPlay,

Another tool to have a look at might be Xsitepro. It has been around for a few years now and is stable, if you're looking to build a web site with good functionality and a small learning curve, it is definitely worth a look. It has a small cost, however you might find the ease of use worth investing in.

Best wishes,

Mike