Head Spinning on Website Building Tool

teamind · 10-09-2009, 02:05 AM

Okay, I feel like I've read nearly every thread on what tool to use:
- Wordpress (with Thesis, Flex, etc.)
- Semiologic Pro
- XSitePro 2 (which I recently bought, and think I would like, but can't trust due to the terrible bugs it's experiencing)
- Joomla

My head is spinning on this!

Here's the juice - I need to quickly build a static-type site with Header and Right/Left panels that are easy to graphically customize. Most of the templates I have seen are too attention-grabbing (don't want that). Rather, I want something that is clean, simple, and draws attention to the content and navigation.

I am NOT tech-y. I can do basic HTML, and can figure out some tools. But, folks, this is still a learning curve for me.

The site I'm needing to build will ultimately have about 100 pages, and be easy to update with changes.

I'd like to try out Wordpress, but all the updates and security stuff freaks me out - I don't like to have to constantly worry about or manage something.

What would you recommend?

Kelly

dv8 · 10-09-2009, 02:09 AM

Have you tried Artisteer ?

And WordPress, imo, is very easy to use. Updates are simple.

teamind · 10-09-2009, 02:43 AM

(Thanks for the fast reply!)

Don't know much about Artisteer, I did see a post about it but am checking it out now. Is it something you use?

Update: Just downloaded their free trial. It appears the designs are all "blog" like. However, I'm really wanting more of a static site appearance. So, am not sure this will work for me.

Or, have I missed something?

Cheers,
Kelly

dv8 · 10-09-2009, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamind

No, I did see a post about it but am checking it out now. Is it something you use?

I used the trial version to see how I liked it. It has all of the features so you get a feel of the software. The only thing is there is a watermark over the site, for obvious reasons.

I actually really liked it. Very simple to use. But I never bought it just because I'm currently fine using WordPress plus I have basic HTML knowledge and make some sites myself.

Your best bet is to download the fully functional trial version and see for yourself. I think you will like it.

zapseo · 10-09-2009, 03:51 AM

Outsourcing ?

jasonmorgan · 10-09-2009, 04:39 AM

did you have something in mind?

You might find something here that fits what you need.

20 Free Corporate WordPress Themes | Blogging Tips from Blogsessive

david carr · 10-09-2009, 05:46 AM

If you are only doing the one site I would outsource it. Make sure you use a site with escrow so that when you are 100% happy with the work you can pay them.

For multiple sites try dreamweaver from adobe you can try it for free just google dreamweaver.

Then under the green box there are 3 buttons buy, upgrade and try.

Click on try and create an account.

I found it was the easiest software to learn with.

Regards
Dave

teleam · 10-09-2009, 07:29 AM

What kind of bugs are you experiencing with XSP? They have a good support service and whenever I have a problem that I can't find a solution to I get a quick solution. Most times it's something I have overlooked.

Tom

TimothyW · 10-09-2009, 07:38 AM

Try yola.com for a quick fix (free + easy) -- then learn something else while your yola site is already up.

-- TW

bigbearmarketer · 10-09-2009, 07:51 AM

Wordpress is the best and easiest to work with, do not let the updates scare you it is very simple every thing on wordpress is just a couple clicks away to install or update. Thesis is the best theme out it does take a little knowledge of code for the graphics but I can help you out with that if you would like you can shoot me a PM or contact me on skype at chris.busa508 I would be more than happy to help you and can show you some examples of wordpress sites and give you some tips on using.

tomw · 10-09-2009, 08:07 AM

Try this:

RapidWeaver 4 - Powerful Web Design Software for Mac OS X

It's the simplest website building software you could ever use. Completely bug free, too.

Tom

teamind · 10-09-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teleam

What kind of bugs are you experiencing with XSP? They have a good support service and whenever I have a problem that I can't find a solution to I get a quick solution. Most times it's something I have overlooked.

Tom

In my limited trials of XSP, links are not updating, page building has been squirrely, and tech support never gets back to me in a timely way. And, all the stories of folks "putting XSP on the shelf until the bugs get worked out" has me really concerned. (from August to present, there are countless stories of 'days of work' lost due to the bugs).

Don't get me wrong -- I think this would be the PERFECT tool for my site building...but I'm having a HUGE trust issue with the tool. But, I need to keep moving forward.

Hence, my post...

UPDATE: See my last post - XSP has announced an update today (10/9/09) that should fix these problems.

teamind · 10-09-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomw

Try this:

RapidWeaver 4 - Powerful Web Design Software for Mac OS X

It's the simplest website building software you could ever use. Completely bug free, too.

Tom

Tom,
I'm going to look into this right now. I have a Mac (and a desktop). I'd prefer to work on my portable Mac.

Thanks for the tip.

Kelly

teamind · 10-09-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbearmarketer

Wordpress is the best and easiest to work with, do not let the updates scare you it is very simple every thing on wordpress is just a couple clicks away to install or update. Thesis is the best theme out it does take a little knowledge of code for the graphics but I can help you out with that if you would like you can shoot me a PM or contact me on skype at chris.busa508 I would be more than happy to help you and can show you some examples of wordpress sites and give you some tips on using.

Hey Bigbear,

Thanks so much for this offer of support on the graphics/Thesis. I'll investigate Thesis a bit more this morning and see if it will get me there.

Cheers,
Kelly

teamind · 10-09-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zapseo

Outsourcing ?

I've considered it and may use Semmyw to build a custom template on WP. However, I also see value in doing this myself to work out my thinking for this site - as it will be just the beginning of many more like it.

teamind · 10-09-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomw

Try this:

RapidWeaver 4 - Powerful Web Design Software for Mac OS X

It's the simplest website building software you could ever use. Completely bug free, too.

Tom

Hey Tom,
I just checked out RapidWeaver's page - specifically their downloads page. The page is all botched up in IE, but looks good in both Safari and Firefox. I'm assuming their own website is built with this tool. Do you ever have issues like this between the PC and Mac browsers?

opiel · 10-09-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamind

In my limited trials of XSP, links are not updating, page building has been squirrely, and tech support never gets back to me in a timely way. And, all the stories of folks "putting XSP on the shelf until the bugs get worked out" has me really concerned. (from August to present, there are countless stories of 'days of work' lost due to the bugs).

Don't get me wrong -- I think this would be the PERFECT tool for my site building...but I'm having a HUGE trust issue with the tool. But, I need to keep moving forward.

Hence, my post...

I have been using XsitePro for over a year and it has been great for me. Personally, I have never experienced any work lost due to the bugs. I have to admit I am a bit surprised to hear that you don't like it.

teamind · 10-09-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opiel

I have been using XsitePro for over a year and it has been great for me. Personally, I have never experienced any work lost due to the bugs. I have to admit I am a bit surprised to hear that you don't like it.

Hey Opiel,

Actually I DO like it and that's why I've been so frustrated with what's happening.

However, on the VERY BRIGHT SIDE, I just got a PM from Rob on the XSitePro support forum and they have an UPDATE that should resolve all the problems being reported. Perhaps my confidence will be restored!

So, I'm putting my recommendations request on hold and I'll run with XSP for now to see if I can make it work for me.

Fingers crossed,
Kelly

BrianMcLeod · 12-23-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamind

Hey Tom,
I just checked out RapidWeaver's page - specifically their downloads page. The page is all botched up in IE, but looks good in both Safari and Firefox. I'm assuming their own website is built with this tool. Do you ever have issues like this between the PC and Mac browsers?

Not Tom... but I AM a RapidWeaver user...

I certainly don't use it for everything (mostly niche content sites). But I do use it often.

The answer comes down to the themes you choose, and there are many.

The professionally designed ($$) themes you can buy from independent developers have generally been tested and tweaked for cross-platform and cross-browser compatibility.

But this always comes in handy:

Check Browser Compatibility, Cross Platform Browser Test - Browsershots

RapidWeaver is more powerful than it appears straight out of the box, especially if you plunk down a few bucks for a few of the "must have" add-ons and some nice, extensible themes.

Here's a couple of the leading RW theme developers:

themes | | seyDesign Professional RapidWeaver themes

Themes

EDIT: Looks like this was an old thread that someone bumped, then deleted their post.

I'll leave mine in case anyone is interested in the RapidWeaver discussion that developed.

10-09-2009, 02:05 AM	#1
teamind HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Houston, Texas Posts: 114 Thanks: 26 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Head Spinning on Website Building Tool Okay, I feel like I've read nearly every thread on what tool to use: - Wordpress (with Thesis, Flex, etc.) - Semiologic Pro - XSitePro 2 (which I recently bought, and think I would like, but can't trust due to the terrible bugs it's experiencing) - Joomla My head is spinning on this! Here's the juice - I need to quickly build a static-type site with Header and Right/Left panels that are easy to graphically customize. Most of the templates I have seen are too attention-grabbing (don't want that). Rather, I want something that is clean, simple, and draws attention to the content and navigation. I am NOT tech-y. I can do basic HTML, and can figure out some tools. But, folks, this is still a learning curve for me. The site I'm needing to build will ultimately have about 100 pages, and be easy to update with changes. I'd like to try out Wordpress, but all the updates and security stuff freaks me out - I don't like to have to constantly worry about or manage something. What would you recommend? Kelly

10-09-2009, 02:09 AM	#2
dv8 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: USA Posts: 418 Thanks: 33 Thanked 72 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool Have you tried Artisteer ? And WordPress, imo, is very easy to use. Updates are simple.

10-09-2009, 02:43 AM	#3
teamind HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Houston, Texas Posts: 114 Thanks: 26 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool (Thanks for the fast reply!) Don't know much about Artisteer, I did see a post about it but am checking it out now. Is it something you use? Update: Just downloaded their free trial. It appears the designs are all "blog" like. However, I'm really wanting more of a static site appearance. So, am not sure this will work for me. Or, have I missed something? Cheers, Kelly

10-09-2009, 03:51 AM	#5
zapseo Judy K - WSOTD Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Jose (Silicon Valley), CA , USA. Posts: 4,617 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 151 Thanked 238 Times in 162 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool Outsourcing ?
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10-09-2009, 04:39 AM	#6
jasonmorgan I'm Kind Of A Big Deal Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2,003 Thanks: 60 Thanked 448 Times in 321 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool did you have something in mind? You might find something here that fits what you need. 20 Free Corporate WordPress Themes \| Blogging Tips from Blogsessive
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10-09-2009, 05:46 AM	#7
david carr HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Stockton, North east, UK Posts: 209 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 13 Thanked 36 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool If you are only doing the one site I would outsource it. Make sure you use a site with escrow so that when you are 100% happy with the work you can pay them. For multiple sites try dreamweaver from adobe you can try it for free just google dreamweaver. Then under the green box there are 3 buttons buy, upgrade and try. Click on try and create an account. I found it was the easiest software to learn with. Regards Dave

10-09-2009, 07:29 AM	#8
teleam HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Baltimore, MD , USA. Posts: 422 Thanks: 31 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool What kind of bugs are you experiencing with XSP? They have a good support service and whenever I have a problem that I can't find a solution to I get a quick solution. Most times it's something I have overlooked. Tom

10-09-2009, 07:38 AM	#9
TimothyW Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 1,138 Thanks: 252 Thanked 88 Times in 71 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool Try yola.com for a quick fix (free + easy) -- then learn something else while your yola site is already up. -- TW
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10-09-2009, 07:51 AM	#10
bigbearmarketer Active Warrior Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cape Cod, Mass Posts: 97 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Social Networking	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool Wordpress is the best and easiest to work with, do not let the updates scare you it is very simple every thing on wordpress is just a couple clicks away to install or update. Thesis is the best theme out it does take a little knowledge of code for the graphics but I can help you out with that if you would like you can shoot me a PM or contact me on skype at chris.busa508 I would be more than happy to help you and can show you some examples of wordpress sites and give you some tips on using.
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10-09-2009, 08:07 AM	#11
tomw Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Right Here ----> Posts: 973 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 511 Thanked 325 Times in 162 Posts	Re: Head Spinning on Website Building Tool Try this: RapidWeaver 4 - Powerful Web Design Software for Mac OS X It's the simplest website building software you could ever use. Completely bug free, too. Tom
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