Making websites

Happynoj · #1 09-13-2011, 05:27 PM

I have been put in charge of my new band's internet presence. The only experience I've had in the past is playing around with Myspace 5 years ago. Myspace has obviously changed a lot since then, but I assume it's a similar process. However, I would like to build us a proper website, but have no knowledge of how to go about doing that. I've got some time (as in several months) before I need to get it online, but I need to learn how to do it. Where do I go to learn what I need to know?

Chunk-O-Funk · #2 09-13-2011, 05:44 PM

Try Google sites. Easy stuff with some HTML if you want to try that out.
One con I can tell you about is everything has to be google. Like Picasa for pics.

bongomania · #3 09-13-2011, 05:56 PM

Screw Google. Search on "HTML tutorial", "CSS tutorial", and "Wordpress tutorial". Those three things will enable you to build a huge range of websites, and they are not too difficult to learn.

Johnny Alien · #4 09-13-2011, 06:05 PM

As a web developer I can tell you that it is easy to pick up the basics but difficult to get skilled at it unless you are doing it all the time and staying up to date with industry blogs and books and such. What you can make on a basic knowledge is not usually as dazzling as what you might have in your mind. Band sites are completely over-rated these days. Myspace pretty much rendered them moot and Facebook then took over. Get a Facebook page and get as many friends as possible. It is MUCH easier to get updates to the people through Facebook and if you have one no one goes out to visit your actual "band" website if you have one. Social networking is perfect for bands and require way less time, knowledge and money.

cmlax21 · #5 09-13-2011, 06:29 PM

Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5

MakiSupaStar · #6 09-13-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

As a web developer I can tell you that it is easy to pick up the basics but difficult to get skilled at it unless you are doing it all the time and staying up to date with industry blogs and books and such. What you can make on a basic knowledge is not usually as dazzling as what you might have in your mind. Band sites are completely over-rated these days. Myspace pretty much rendered them moot and Facebook then took over. Get a Facebook page and get as many friends as possible. It is MUCH easier to get updates to the people through Facebook and if you have one no one goes out to visit your actual "band" website if you have one. Social networking is perfect for bands and require way less time, knowledge and money.

This. CS 5 if you're really adamant about it.

Raven2k360 · #7 09-14-2011, 12:16 AM

I agree with Dreamweaver. I started using it back when it was still Macromedia, and it's hands-down the best web developing program on the market. The tutorials they have are pretty good as well; at the time I only had basic HTML experience, and the tutorials taught me how to use Fireworks and make roll-over images and image slicing. If you want to learn to make some badass stuff, Dreamweaver is your ticket.

Your other alternative is to pay a web designing service to make you a template and you just drag 'n drop images and text. My uncle went that route and his site looks pretty killer.

::::BASSIST:::: · #8 09-14-2011, 12:27 AM

I used wix.com to make my band's website with no previous html experience. I found it pretty easy. Its just a matter of drag & drop, upload pics, and choose styles offered.

Its not awesome, but I think its pretty good.

Wix.com main created by Cruiserband based on Mix Master

Johnny Alien · #9 09-14-2011, 06:01 AM

I am a little shocked that you guys are suggesting a high priced professional program to someone with no experience. Yes Dreamweaver is a great tool but it's much more complex than people are letting on and is designed for web professionals. I like to build sites alot so a few years back I designed and built a great site for my band. It was really nice and had an integrated shopping area and everything. Absolutely no one came to it. The stats were dismal because everyone used what they were used to (at that time Myspace). I am not trying to be a killjoy I am just being realistic. For a site you need to pay for the web space, buy a domain name and spend months learning and building (and potentially buying software). Facebook is free and that is what everyone uses. It is much easier to advertise for shows and send out invites for reminders. For music set up a bandcamp.com page and integrate it with your facebook page. That way people can even digitally download your music or get free sample. Bandcamp and Facebook is the way to go.

silentmike · #10 09-14-2011, 06:10 AM

I agree with Johnny Alien. Just stick to Facebook and bandcamp. It's where most of the people looking for you will try and find you. Plus it is a lot easier to update fans as just about everyone and their dog has Facebook

Bandcamp will also collect email addresses for a mailing list. If you really want your own domain name, you can attach this to your bandcamp page as well.

Strohsx · #11 09-14-2011, 06:16 AM

NVU
It's kinda Like Dream weaver, but not really.
Free
Site and download
Nvu Web Authoring Software

About
Nvu - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Give it a shot.

Also just get your hosting and domain registar from godaddy.com
The sad thing is people don't want to go to a website they just want damn facebook and is they're really interested a twitter.. Facebook is ruining the Internet.

Oh and for god's sake don't us a flash intro.

::::BASSIST:::: · #12 09-14-2011, 09:01 AM

Not everyone uses FB. I know several people who refuse to use facebook at all due to security and privacy issues. This is certainly one reason why a website is better. Plus doesnt a website have a more professional sense about it?

Can people without a FB account view your FB page / bandcamp page?

Johnny Alien · #13 09-14-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Not everyone uses FB. I know several people who refuse to use facebook at all due to security and privacy issues. This is certainly one reason why a website is better. Plus doesnt a website have a more professional sense about it?

Can people without a FB account view your FB page / bandcamp page?

Yes they can view both. The only thing they couldn't do is get an invite for their calendar (in relation to shows). Otherwise they can view, listen and download. The days of being professional with a real website just don't really exist anymore. Having it might make that impression but the cost per month for hosting is not really worth it for the handful of people that will visit it. just my opinion.

Raven2k360 · #14 09-14-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

I am a little shocked that you guys are suggesting a high priced professional program to someone with no experience. Yes Dreamweaver is a great tool but it's much more complex than people are letting on and is designed for web professionals. I like to build sites alot so a few years back I designed and built a great site for my band. It was really nice and had an integrated shopping area and everything. Absolutely no one came to it. The stats were dismal because everyone used what they were used to (at that time Myspace). I am not trying to be a killjoy I am just being realistic. For a site you need to pay for the web space, buy a domain name and spend months learning and building (and potentially buying software). Facebook is free and that is what everyone uses. It is much easier to advertise for shows and send out invites for reminders. For music set up a bandcamp.com page and integrate it with your facebook page. That way people can even digitally download your music or get free sample. Bandcamp and Facebook is the way to go.

Yes, DW is a powerful professional program, but it's also simple enough to learn the basics and develop a fairly decent skill level with just a couple hours of playing with it. As for it being expensive -- yes, it can be, but there are ways around that (both legit and non-legit). It's a program that's simple enough to do basic design for beginners, but also allows you to grow...but I agree, FB, Myspace, ReverbNation, etc. would probably be better for now - at least until the band is more established.

L-A · #15 09-14-2011, 10:45 AM

Have you purchased domain and hosting? I can install you a copy of Wordpress and show you how to choose/make a band-centric theme.

sloasdaylight · #16 09-14-2011, 11:36 AM

Frankly, I hate Dreamweaver.

That being said I build all the websites we deal with in either Wordpress, Drupal, or Joomla! and just manually add the CSS styling I need.

As far as an editor, I actually prefer using Microsoft Expression Web to Dreamweaver.

PerlNinja · #17 09-14-2011, 02:18 PM

As with anything, if you want a decent website, let the professionals handle it

In other words, spend some money, hire a web design company, and let them take care of things. If you don't have budget for that, then see if you have some IT geeky friends, because chances are they know people who know people who... etc. etc.

Georynn · #18 09-14-2011, 02:25 PM

Try bandvista...

Chunk-O-Funk · #19 09-14-2011, 02:50 PM

Will you learn what it takes like HTML and publish your website tonight? No!
HTML is just the tip.

I believe in learning things the right way, but not if those things will set you back. I say screw HTML if you're not in that field. There are lots of free band websites around that will work. They are commonly known as a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) and are limited to what you can do.

If you have some time on your hands, grab a good updated HTML book with java and Flash. Eventually you will have a website.

You can always get a good HTML editor and do better than a WYSIWYG.

Raven2k360 · #20 09-15-2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chunk-O-Funk

Will you learn what it takes like HTML and publish your website tonight? No!
HTML is just the tip.

I believe in learning things the right way, but not if those things will set you back. I say screw HTML if you're not in that field. There are lots of free band websites around that will work. They are commonly known as a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) and are limited to what you can do.

If you have some time on your hands, grab a good updated HTML book with java and Flash. Eventually you will have a website.

You can always get a good HTML editor and do better than a WYSIWYG.

Dreamweaver is a WYSIWYG editor...you just have the option to tweak the raw code...lol. But you don't HAVE to know HTML to get started with it - hell, I started off with Microsoft Frontpage back in High School, which was a watered-down version of DW...didn't know jack about web pages until I got 'volunteered' into the school's webpage club and had to dive right into it.