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Web Site Building

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Services for Real Estate Pros

 

Hey….I can do that!     

 

 

Let’s give it a go, I need a web site and GoDaddy offers free hosting for my domain name purchase so why not see if I can create my own site.  I so don’t want to have one that is a template, I want it to be original.

 

Let’s see, what software can I use that I already have.  Not much, come to find out.  Wait!  Microsoft Publisher has a web builder.  Awesome!  I know Microsoft software so this should not only be pretty easy but fun too.

 

Wrong.

 

A little clarification:  Designing a site is not that difficult (for me).  Upload pictures, choose a background, create a header, type in some content and viola we have a pretty site.  What I have little knowledge of and found out is critical to a good site is all the html work that goes on behind the scenes of a working site.

 

Now before you laugh, I knew there would be some html work, such as the meta tags but I had no idea how many errors and issues had to be corrected and changed.  I suppose that’s what I get for using a basic program and free hosting?  I really thought that the hosting site or software would handle the coding and make sure there are no errors.  Really, I thought most of that was kind of a template and didn’t need to be combed through.  It’s a site so it all needs to go on there right?  Not necessarily.  Even to the point of some code not closing with a “>”.   What is the point of entering code if the program doesn’t format it correctly?

 

Well, my site is up and running www.assistantperproject.com and I actually like how it turned out.  The problem I am faced with now is that after running:  www.validator.w3c.org and it coming up with over 400 issues, I can’t figure out how to look at my site through html code to make corrections.  I have seen on other programs that you can switch to html format but I am not finding that on Publisher and definitely not  finding it on GoDaddy which I didn’t think I would, seems like that should be a software thing not a hosting thing.  Am I missing something?  If I can find the html code format for the site then I can make the changes that the validator suggested.

 

Frustration.

 

So, for now I will be happy with having a site that people who know me can check out and will have to deal with actually being seen by search engines and not as a code issue at a later time.

 

I need to step away from if for a day and come back fresh and hopefully with some advice from some techie connections through the various and wonderous networking sites I am immersed in.

 

It has been interesting to learn so far and I know that when all is said and done I’ll have a web site that I created and will be able to add that to my list of accomplishments.

 

(and now AR isn't allowing me to upload any more clipart to this blog so I'm submitting it as is)

 

Oh and kudos to the SEO's and builders who are doing this for a living!

 

Bethany Phillips, MBA
Fredericksburg, VA

Good Luck with it!

Dec 18, 2008 08:39 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Thanks! :)

Dec 18, 2008 10:34 PM
#2
Linda Bourgault
lulugraphix-creative photography & fine art - Flower Mound, TX

Diana—You have now "self-discovered" why designers like myself admire your determination, yet wish you'd let experts give you a hand. This is one of those situations that's a double edged sword. As a professional I could have solved your problems and made the process so easy, but it would come at a price... we all need our income stream. However, I too like FREE opportunties and have made my own self-discoveries. I realized a long time ago that "coding" is not my forte! So, I invested in software that does it for me Or when I need something the software can't handle I call my goddaughter, a real super techno savy mult-media entrepenuer with so many web sites under her belt (I've lost count), and she lends  me a hand... but it's never FREE—LOL! We barter with one another for creative services which does save some green, but requires an investement of time. Good luck and thanks for appreciating us, " the builders"

Dec 19, 2008 02:04 AM
Diana Dupre'
San Diego, CA
Behind the scenes making people look great.

Linda, I have always appreciated web designers, it's a wacky world in this web. :)  Being pretty handy with the computer and administrative type stuff and quite the surfer I figured I could at least create the site, which I did.  Now I just need to work out the bugs.  I always enjoy a good challenge and this is definitely one.

Thank you for the post and thoughts.  I have run in to people wanting help with their sites so I'll add you as an affiliate and maybe get some referrals to you.

Dec 19, 2008 03:07 AM
Ervin Alston
EMA GRAPHICS - Virginia Beach, VA

Hello Diana,

Goodluck to your website.  Maybe a web designer can see your blog from the Hampton road Area and may offer a barter.  How about that idea.  Maybe you can blog about it.  Goodluck!

Jenny

Feb 21, 2009 04:22 PM
Diana Dupre'
San Diego, CA
Behind the scenes making people look great.

Thank you for the idea Jenny.  I actually was approached by someone through BNI to trade services.  She is going to help me with the site and I'm going to help her with her client database.  I love this idea and really hope more people get involved with trading services!  Now to find the time, she and I both are so busy we haven't scheduled when to do either. haha!

Feb 21, 2009 10:54 PM