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Posts: 8,574I had a funky home grown web site. I paid the hosting company for a year and pretty much forgot about it. Then in one month I get 3 inquiries about it being down. hmmmm.....
When the year was up it closed, of course, because I forgot all about it and the hosting company couldn't contact me due to an e-mail change.
So I am going round and round with myself about keeping it or not...I have investigated a new hosting company, and suppose I could redo a better site, but I really have to wonder if it is worth it.
1. Is no web site better than one that isn't very good?
2. Were I to spend the time I doubt it would still be any better, probably because of the program....just how much can you do?
3. Are there newer, easy to use programs out there that anyone has heard about?
4. No I can't afford to have someone build one for me that is fancy, beautiful and glitzy, besides when you live in the golly house with a hundred yammering little ones glitzy, fancy and beautiful seem like oxymorons
and advice?
confused in gollyland
Jellybelly BearsHi Dilu
I visited your site ages ago and can't for the life of me remeber what it looked like and I wish I could coz I love your bussiness name :redface:
Personally I think a web site is well worth the effort, but I do all my business through the web as I don't have any other way...I suppose for you, you'd have to think of how much business you get through it, how much you rely on other outlets and would time be better spent in going into those directions instead of maintaining a site. For me its a huge YES. I not only get response from mine but I also thoroughly enjoy building on it and keeping it updated...
I used Microsft Front Page, but I know there are other free programs online that others use. If I were you I would probably do a basic site just so people can have a quick glance at who you are what your work is, something that wouldn't need too much updating unless you wanted to...I think that would establish your online presence and should avoid your worries of a web site that isn't very good as it will only be small??
I'm rambling anyway..but I love web sites. Hope you give it another try 
xx sarah
Kiprie BearsOh Dilu ! I do remember your beautiful website !!!! It was blue back ground with allot of
wonderful gollies photo and great photo of your charming home. right ?? 
I will be sad if you close
your website but I can't give you any advice for yes or now on website.... sorry. 
If you don't mind using free website, check out "freewebs"→ [url]http://members.freewebs.com/ [/url]I saw few of TT members are using this program and I was thinking to use them too. :)
hugs
Marie & Mimi
Posts: 3,177Web sites are definitely a good thing Dilu...............how much do you love browsing through websites? Everyone loves to do that, so yep, a web site is a darn good investment me dearie!
Have you tried the various companies offering included 'what you see is what you get' site builders Dilu?
Try Yahoo Geocities - it's cheap and they are very reliable and so so simple to use...........that's who i use and have only got great things to say about them and i have been with them for over a year now.
Penny :hug:
Penny, Marie, Sarah, all make good points. Not only are websites fun to browse thru, but I do think that in this day and age they are a necessity if you're trying to market a product successfully. And there are lots of routes to be taken to get one built, some of them requiring little or no html knowledge at all. Penny's reference to "what you see is what you get" programs is a great case in point. I think Penny knows some html code but I know none at all, literally, and built and manage my own site using one of those kinds of programs. It takes a time investment -- doesn't everything worth doing? -- but it's absolutely accessible.
On a related note... I found this "thing" on the web not long ago; don't even remember how ---> http://www.internetisshit.org/ It's basically a cynic's view of the internet, but it makes some thought-provoking and interesting points about how the internet has become a power unto itself. Which, in the author's opinion, is a bad thing.
Anyhoos... One of the things that especially struck me was that this site pointed out how, nowadays, simply having a website grants people and businesses legitimacy! I got to thinking about this and was surprised to note that my own thinking had turned insidiously in this direction as well. If I want something and it's not viewable or buyable on the internet... is that really a business that takes itself seriously? Is it convenient to me? I found that, as this cynical website pointed out, I had over time begun to view a businesses lack of internet presence as a "bad" thing. What a wake up call and reality check!
It is of course NOT a "bad" thing to be off the web, in reality! But that kind of slow, invisible turn in thinking is one of the powerful effects that the internet has had on people.
I mention this because this kind of thinking is likely not specific to me or to this cynical website, but rather, has become epidemic. Whether that's a good thing, or a bad thing... it's definitely SOMEthing, and might be important to keep in mind when deciding whether to create a website or not!!
And of course, on a different note, having a website is great exposure. A link here, a link there, and pretty soon there are a bajillion ways for people to "find" your site on the web. That helps you and your business -- and your gollies -- stay "top of mind" with potential customers.
All in all my personal feeling is that, to maximize business potential, an internet presence of some kind is crucial.
Past Time BearsWell, I can't elaborate any more fully than has already been stated about the positive aspects of having a website.
Yes - I think websites are a must in this day and age. Go for it, Kiddo!
Back Road BearsYes, you MUST have a website... especially if you want to sell.
And even if that wasn't the main purpose of your site... you still need it to show off your work for all the members and lurkers of TT to see!
Everyone has made really good points.
THere have been tons of suggestions about web building sites to use. I've used Yahoo in the past, RobsHelp.com and Homestead... all are great and have differrent price plans to fit your needs.
Like Sarah, I use FrontPage... a MicroSoft program... not the most used friendly, takes some time to figure out but if you are familiar with other MS software like Publisher, Excell, etc. it's rather easy.
You might also visit Quy's site: www.nomonkeybiz.com as he also has web building software and various plans.
But YES... you must "Web Site"!!!!!
Posts: 3,177I have to agree with Shelli here...............
I do soooo much shopping online, perhaps 60% at times (eg. Christmas or for specialised items) and if i can't by it on the www then i sort of give up.
Even if you don't offer credit card/Paypal payments from your site it is still a great way to advertise and showcase whatever it is you sell. Websites do (somehow - i'm not a an expert so don't ask me) legitimise a business - it presents a serious intent to trade and/or prove to potential buyers that you truly exist, if you take the trouble to constantly update the site (very important) and offer new items whenever they become available the occasional visitor will see this and make a judgement whether to buy from you or not.
I know that having a website does'nt mean that you can trust the company/seller but in some way it does give the potential client/customer a sense of security and continuity.
So, in my humble opinion........
........WEBSITES ARE THE WAY TO GO
If you want help Wonks just PM me and i'll knock you up a website asap and tutor you on how to edit and update it yourself.
SHELLI - you don't need to know a lot of html - just a bit and you can use the 'what you see is what you get' type of web builder and then add other stuff using html to produce a really great site..............believe me, i HATE html but just a little knowledge goes a long long way.
OK that's enough prattle from me 
Penny :hug:
Posts: 1,836On a related note... I found this "thing" on the web not long ago; don't even remember how ---> http://www.internetisshit.org/ It's basically a cynic's view of the internet, but it makes some thought-provoking and interesting points about how the internet has become a power unto itself. Which, in the author's opinion, is a bad thing.
I'm just cracking up that the cynic of the internet used THE INTERNET to get his/her point across. :doh: :crackup: Wonder if he/she ran an editorial in local papers, printed flyers, held community focus groups....or just whipped up a quick and easy domain name and used the internet "sh*t" bucket alone to make the point?? :crackup: :doh: Oh, too funny.
I do get bummed if local shops don't have websites, even if just to say what hours are, what's going on, etc. I don't need full inventories online and shopping capabilities....but I do think that the basic "store front" hello on the web is a good thing to take advantage of.
One local shop I adore does postcard mailings for big events, artist days, holiday open houses, etc. I would think that doing via email would save time, money, and allow for customers to "forward" onto new consumers. Can't forward a postcard to 12 girlfriends.
Dilu, I'm one that was looking for your site this month so I think it's a good tool to take advantage of. Go for it, there are so many good things happening right now with TT, the face book, etc...a web site could be so beneficial to you :hug:
~Chrissi
I'm just cracking up that the cynic of the internet used THE INTERNET to get his/her point across.
I made wry note of that as well. Ironic, no?
Good point re: cross-marketing (TT, face book, website, etc.) It's really effective!
Posts: 8,574I shall try again....with help!
Thanks guys- you helped me make up my mind....and you guys are right- we love websites....we go to each others....whenever anyone new joins we nose around.....
I guess i just wasn't crazy about my old one and the program wasn't forgiving about changes.
so 
the next one will be soooo much better. I am positive!!!
Kiprie BearsHi Dilu ! I'm glad that you decide to kep website.(new one !)
the program wasn't forgiving about changes.
oh, you are right to leaving them ! !
Good luck with your new website. 
hugs
Marie
