Posted by Becca/FL on 1/23/05 4:14pm
Msg #17815

How hard can it be???

Okay, I have my domain name and want to launch my website. Is this really something I can do on my own? Or, should I just pay someone for design and hosting?

I have been looking into host services that offer "easy templates" for do-it-yourself design and free hosting. I am no computer guru but, I'm not an idiot either. Frankly, I still don't "get" Quickbooks and would prefer not to read the book to use it. I am of the I want it all and I want it now generation, afterall. That being said, should I even attempt to create my own website or should I let the professionals handle it?

I don't want a "cheesy" cut and paste site like some I have seen and would appreciate any input.

Reply by Margaret S. Craig/Florida on 1/23/05 4:53pm
Msg #17818

Go to http://www.directnic.com/ They have templates and it is very low cost and very easy to do yourself. Go to my website at www.firstcoastnotary.com

Reply by Becca/FL on 1/23/05 7:42pm
Msg #17836

Margaret - Your site is nice however, I don't quite understand the Judge with the gavel in the upper left corner. To me, this says "Legal" or "court" services.

Reply by Paul-CA on 1/23/05 5:26pm
Msg #17824

It isn't a matter of being "hard," so much as being a time-consuming thing to learn how to do properly. For anything other than a simple web page, there are lots of little things you need to know aside from the "basics" of HTML and Cascading Style Sheets -- not unlike what's required to become a good notary or signing agent. Given your preference of not having to read the documents (something that hopefully doesn't apply to your being a notary!) you'd be better off letting someone else do it for you. Good luck!

Reply by Margaret S Craig/Florida on 1/23/05 5:40pm
Msg #17826

You do not have to know HTML for this site, if you can type you can creat a web page

Reply by Paul-CA on 1/23/05 7:28pm
Msg #17835

My assumption, Margaret, was that Becca wasn't that impressed with the "template" approach and was wondering how hard it would be to do herself.

By the way, as your website represents you, and you are in the business of representing others (at least when acting as a signing agent) then it becomes quite important that your web site doesn't give anyone the impression that you are careless or at least not thorough when checking the quality of your work. At the risk of sounding critical, I'd say you need to spend a little time on your site correcting typograhical errors. Advertising that you notorize "oaths & addirmations" isn't going to make a good impression ...

Reply by Becca/FL on 1/23/05 8:04pm
Msg #17840

Thanks, Paul. I have read my state Notary manual. Something I found I HAD to do after working for an atty. for two years, before going out on my own. WOW, what an education!

Do you have any recomendations for designer/host services?

Reply by Stacy/CA on 1/23/05 5:55pm
Msg #17828

My first, and only, web page I created was with Microsoft FrontPage. It was included in my Microsoft Office XP Professional disk. It was fairly easy to use and if you do get stumped, there is always that Microsoft Assistant to explain what some of the web page terms mean. It included a bunch of templates (themes) to use so the pages come pre-set and all you do replace their text with your information. There are a few options that FrontPage uses that are not compatible with certain FTP sites (i.e. visit counter). When you go to publish the website, just enter the domain information and password and you are set to go.

I had no experience with web pages before this, but I too, don't consider myself an idiot (hate reading the books also). It does take some time to maintain it, but it is a great advertising tool. Let me know if you want to take a look at my site and I can send the link to you.

Stacy

Reply by Becca_FL on 1/23/05 7:51pm
Msg #17837

Thank you, Stacy. Yes, I would like to see your site, please email me the link. I'm glad I'm not the only person out there that can't stand reading tech books.

Got any Quickbooks tips?????

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 1/24/05 8:40am
Msg #17870

Re: QuickBook Tips

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/quickbooks

This mailing list is a forum for QuickBooks users. Ask questions, get answers, and share ideas.

Reply by Paul-CA on 1/23/05 7:52pm
Msg #17838

FrontPage is an option. For that matter, any recent version of MS Word will allow you to design the page as a word doc and then save it as HTML. The issues here are: a) the quality of the generated code, b) how difficult it becomes to make changes (something you point out) and c) how standard the underlying generated code is. FrontPage, to some extent, and MSWord in particular, generate code that is very difficult to maintain or extend and often don't produce the desired results when the code is viewed with browsers other than Internet Explorer (IE) or even on old versions of IE. In today's market, you need to verify that your design works well in IE, Netscape and FireFox (which is the up-and-coming browser, namely because it is more immune to some of the adware/spyware problems IE is plagued with).

If Becca wants to use things like frames, drop down menus, email forms (a technique that spares you from a ton of spam as you don't have to post your email address on your web page where "web crawlers" can find it and sell it to spam distributers), ... then she's gone beyond the "basics" and should probably hire someone to do the job for her. With a little bit of learning (and forethought) she can have them just design the original site and then take care of the simple maintenance chores herself. She should also shop around for her own hosting site just so she has a good idea of what the current market prices are. You can get a site hosted for $5/month or less now days. A lot of the so-called template-shops are charging way too much because they know people just figure it must cost a lot.

Reply by Becca/FL on 1/23/05 8:09pm
Msg #17842

Okay, that's all I need to hear. Send in the expert!

Paul, you lost me by c).

I thank you for your guidence and expertise!

Reply by kmnotary_CA on 1/23/05 8:26pm
Msg #17843

Becca,
I hired a professional, and although I really need to finish some of my site, I like it much
better than a template. Your site really is your calling card. Kind of like a highschool diploma-doesn't necessarily get you anywhere, but without it you aren't considered legitimate.

Reply by BrendaTX on 1/24/05 9:28am
Msg #17875

Becca -

Perhaps you can barter services with a geeky friend. That's what my little friend has done. He has a site at http://www.realtor-texas.com which I did for him. Here's how he managed to get me to do this "free."

Given many services are charging realtor types $150 per month for a site which guarantees success, my friend could not see his way into paying for this just yet. He asked me for help so I charged him a turn-key amount which he can pay me when he can. Until then, he can chip off a $25 dollars for washing my car, $25-$50 for working in my flower beds etc. He may owe me nothing by the time he can pay me what I charged him.

HOWEVER - Because I have gotten myself into this situation before and found myself working for nothing and slaving away for a "friend," I set up an affiliate link where my friends can get a site and I get paid a commission when they sign up.

I explain this to them carefully so they know that I am getting a commission for setting up a simple site for them. It costs them $8.95 per month x 12 months for $107.40 per year. They pay for their domain name which is about $15=$125 tops. My commission comes out of that.

It took me about five hours to get this little site set up, and my friend supplied the content for the pages - most of it anyhow.

I maintain it as I have time to maintain it and my friend can take it over any time it's not done rapidly enough for him. In fact, I encourage that. He's out of pocket only the price of the website until he can pay me.

Guess what...even as simple as the site is...I am getting requests for others to do their websites but I don't feel as if my "talents" are worthy of a full fledged amount which I would have to charge which is about $300.00 on top of the set up of $125.00. So, I don't do them for the world at large...just friends that can barter with me.

This person's father runs a rather successful mobile maintenance service and he is thinking he wants a website. Well...as long as I get emergency road service and oil changes for the next two years...perhaps we might strike a deal.

Reply by Fran on 1/24/05 1:28am
Msg #17863

Hi Stacy:

I would like your web address to look at your site.

Reply by HisHughness on 1/23/05 6:19pm
Msg #17830

Beccccccccca...

E-mail me about your web site.

Reply by ZLee_Califia on 1/23/05 8:55pm
Msg #17847

After one gawdawful experience (ongoing) with Network Solutions......I glomed onto Tripod. For a reasonable price I have designed my own site from start to finish. It's still a work-in-progress, very easily accessed; adding whatever I wish with great ease and with lots of options to choose from. If you need assistance with setting up your site, feel free to contact me. Good luck. Tripod deserves my highest recommendation.

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 1/24/05 8:51am
Msg #17872

The following is my PERSONAL opinion and somewhat of a professional opinion as well.

I personally will not explorer sites hosted by Tripod and Geocities. They have annoying pop-ups and install spybots that can wreak havoc on an unsuspecting system. They also require an overwhelming amount of cookies to be placed on the "visiting" machine. In my previous work where I was technically responsible for a corporate IT system, we purposely blocked access to many of sites hosted by Tripod and Geocities for the above state reasons.

Reply by ZLee_Califia on 1/24/05 2:39pm
Msg #17911

Thank you for this information. I too am highly cautious regarding spyware programs by hosted sites. Geocites is definitely on my no-go list, however, having set up my website using Lycos-Tripod, I have yet to encounter any problems. As a matter of fact, I am so far thrilled by the myriad choices they offer and the ease of building a website. It's easy, fast and very user-friendly. I am quite vigilant as to spyware/cookies on my trusty and treasured computer, and running regular spybot searches, have yet to find any spyware placed by Lycos-Tripod.
Thanks again for your input.

Reply by PAW Notary Services on 1/24/05 8:44am
Msg #17871

There has been a lot of conversation lately about websites. A website is an excellent tool for most Notaries Public and I encourage everyone to think about it seriously. I also have a couple of suggestions to make in this regard.

As has previously been posted on many boards and forums, there are a lot of things that makes your website good and many things that will turn off the visitors before they even "see" what you have to offer. Those guidelines are usually excellent.

For those on a budget, I recommend http://www.notary4hire.com/ where you can get a website and lots of other services for FREE!! I know a lot of notaries do have their website hosted there.

Also, once you have a website, you may wish to consider joining the Notary Public / Signing Agent webring. Webrings provide cyber-travelers the ability to go from one website to another with similar content. This service is also FREE. You can visit the NSA Ring's homepage at http://www.pawnotary.com/nsaring/ for more information and to sign up.