New Website required ....options?

[cojoth]

I did a search and didn't see the above question (or its ilk) sooooo....

I currently host with iPage. They have a 'build your website' template service but not sure if this is the way to go.

I'm looking to re-new/rebuild my website .... suggestions?

Thanks,
Tom

[JakAHearts]

I just used a wordpress theme from Themeforest.com. Its a little harder than a build your own template but its much more customizeable. You can look at it (though its far far from finished) at ReighardPhotography.com

[mmcguire]

I second Wordpress. It's pretty easy to setup and keep running. There are even hosting companies that provide a 1 click install of Wordpress. Then go grab a theme you like. As suggested Themeforest.com has some nice ones.

[cojoth]

Thanks.

I have toyed with the idea of a blog. What about SEO?

Also, from what I have gleaned from the web is that one should have both ....website & blog.

[JakAHearts]

From what I understand and have read, Wordpress offers a great platform for SEO.

[rejay14]

I use the Vistaprint hosting service. It integrates your business card right into a site for you. VERY easy to maintain also. It works very well with my Zenfolio sales page.

[elchinoloco]

Use a web designer who understands good, effective design and typography.

[Dan Marchant]

Also, from what I have gleaned from the web is that one should have both ....website & blog.
A blog is just a part of your web site where you regularly write what you are doing/thinking or mini articles. It is good if you do it regularly but not if you dont.

I also agree with the above that Wordpress is a good platform. There are dozens of themes available that are specifically aimed at photographers.

[Sam6644]

Wordpress is excellent for SEO if you're using it right. I rank extremely high in the searches I want through my blog, which is set up on the wordpress platform.
My blog is at http://blog.sgdoesit.com if you want to check out an example of a pretty simple setup on WP. I used the Arras theme, which is free.

Livebooks is a pretty decent and easy option. My friend uses it and his site looks nice.
He's at www.eamonq.com

[Steve Ruddy]

Use a web designer who understands good, effective design and typography.

Second that

[trcapro]

I use Wordpress for my site as that it is highly customizable. You just need to find the right template and plugins for you. I've also used Smugmug in that past. It's not bad but you have to be pretty good at HTML.

[Steve Ruddy]

FWIW I have not seen a Wordpress site I have liked. IMO they all look like....well Wordpress. If you want to stand out hire a talented web designer.

[JakAHearts]

Hey, everyone quit visiting my site and messing up my google analytics. ;)

[tnis0612]

FWIW I have not seen a Wordpress site I have liked. IMO they all look like....well Wordpress. If you want to stand out hire a talented web designer.

Steve, do you like mine?? http://www.stevenandlilyphotography.com/
You can say no :) some constructive criticism would be appreciated!

[mmcguire]

FWIW I have not seen a Wordpress site I have liked. IMO they all look like....well Wordpress. If you want to stand out hire a talented web designer.

The following sites are run with Wordpress and they look nothing alike.

http://www.ginger-restaurant.co.za/

http://corporate.ford.com/vehicles/auto-shows

http://perth.norg.com.au/

http://techcrunch.com/

[tim]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=966640&highlight=website

[Steve Ruddy]

The following sites are run with Wordpress and they look nothing alike.

http://www.ginger-restaurant.co.za/

http://corporate.ford.com/vehicles/auto-shows

http://perth.norg.com.au/

http://techcrunch.com/

They all have the Wordpress or template feel to me regardless of it they look alike or not.

Steve, do you like mine?? http://www.stevenandlilyphotography.com/
You can say no some constructive criticism would be appreciated!

Steve,

I think it's nice and clean and a good start however I don't like the left positioning. Personally I like sites with a fixed center area that make use of graphics or background effects that tie everything together in a nice coherent look. Also I don't care for sites that scale. Based on the website name and pricing page it appears it is a business site but the about page makes it sound like a personal site. I would recommend you tell your potential clients about your photographic history, skills, passions, ect. instead of your personal life. Also instead of scaling maybe consider a mobile version of your site. For photographers offering different types of service or categories of photography I don't necessarily like to see all the images lumped together. Of coarse this is all FWIW and IMHO. Oh and BTW I like your images a lot.

Steve

[Hardcore]

I use WordPress as well.

www.coreyhardcastlephotography.ca

[JakAHearts]

Corey, looks good but in your pricing section, what are GST and PST? Are they Canadian tax abbreviations anyone knows except perhaps a stupid American? (me)

[Hardcore]

Corey, looks good but in your pricing section, what are GST and PST? Are they Canadian tax abbreviations anyone knows except perhaps a stupid American? (me)

Thanks. Ya government and provincial sales tax.

[cojoth]

Thanks so far to all ......

I just had a thought ....what about iWeb? I've hear SEO is it achillies heel.

[tristinGrind]

FWIW I have not seen a Wordpress site I have liked. IMO they all look like....well Wordpress. If you want to stand out hire a talented web designer.

The following sites are run with Wordpress and they look nothing alike.

http://www.ginger-restaurant.co.za/

http://corporate.ford.com/vehicles/auto-shows

http://perth.norg.com.au/

http://techcrunch.com/

I was going to say... I have built and seen many sites built using Wordpress that look nothing like the generic template. Many graphic designers use it for its ease of moderation once its created... many people know very little of website moderation so its awesome that WP is so easy to manage. Plus, being a blogging standard nowadays its smart to be able to incorporate it if people want one.

I would recommend hiring a graphic designer for you site, but if its built on Wordpress... you shouldnt worry but embrace it. I build websites everyday and love Wordpress; Ive never had any complaints.

[mmcguire]

They all have the Wordpress or template feel to me regardless of it they look alike or not.


Oh you are looking for a different "feel". I thought you said they all look alike, my bad.

[omnom]

Use wordpress. You can start off with a template and get a custom made site later on without moving content.

[michael Lee]

Go check out 22slides.com. Good price, SEO, easy to use and customizable.

[Ronny Geenen]

Steve, do you like mine?? http://www.stevenandlilyphotography.com/
You can say no :) some constructive criticism would be appreciated!

I like the design of your web, but not the very light color of the text. Hard to read. A little more contrast would be nice.

[vdubtornado]

Steve, do you like mine?? http://www.stevenandlilyphotography.com/
You can say no :) some constructive criticism would be appreciated!
Where did you purchase this theme? It was not a free one was it?

[chadsmith]

I am using a Wordpress instance hosted from my house, and love the flexibility. The Catalyst theme is pretty awesome at removing the necessity of editing text files when you want to make a global change :)