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Head Spinning on Website Building Tool

by teamind
18 replies
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? :confused:

Kelly
#building #design #head #spinning #tool #website #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author dv8
    Have you tried Artisteer ?

    And WordPress, imo, is very easy to use. Updates are simple.
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    • Profile picture of the author teamind
      (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
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      • Profile picture of the author dv8
        Originally Posted by teamind View Post

        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.
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  • Profile picture of the author zapseo
    Outsourcing ?
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    • Profile picture of the author teamind
      Originally Posted by zapseo View Post

      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.
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  • Profile picture of the author jasonmorgan
    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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    I'm all about that bass.

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    • Profile picture of the author david carr
      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
      Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
      Try yola.com for a quick fix (free + easy) -- then learn something else while your yola site is already up.

      -- TW
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author 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.
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        • Profile picture of the author teamind
          Originally Posted by bigbearmarketer View Post

          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
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    • Profile picture of the author teamind
      Originally Posted by teleam View Post

      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.
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      • Profile picture of the author opiel
        Originally Posted by teamind View Post

        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.
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        • Profile picture of the author teamind
          Originally Posted by opiel View 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.
          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
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  • Profile picture of the author 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
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    • Profile picture of the author teamind
      Originally Posted by tomw View Post

      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
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    • Profile picture of the author teamind
      Originally Posted by tomw View Post

      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?
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      • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
        Originally Posted by teamind View Post

        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.
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        Brian McLeod
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