setting up a musician website

i57dwun4yb1pt8

I am tech savvy , and understand the ins and outs of website maintenance - but im not a html head , css or or a php / sql head.
i would like to build a website for putting up my pics / music and studio examples - and wonder is there any good template designs
- possibly a free one to start with - that can be downloaded edited and uploaded to begin a website ?

once i get the feel , will look to spend some money .

have domain and hosting sorted - just lost on the site design - would like a simple method to do this

Neurojazz

http://www.joomla.org/

This is fully functional - but i don't use it now... if you want more basic sites try googling 'css prefabs'

The harder part comes when you want features etc... just come back to this thread and post as you get problems and i'll help where i can.

BTW: i'm actually paying someone to develop a no fuss streaming flash playing that works on all browsers - will keep you posted!

i57dwun4yb1pt8

thanks NJ
im using joomla already , but its seem mighty complex , and no idea how to upload a joomla project .

seems joomala means you haveto use an SQL dbase and PHP - and im afraid this may go tits up on the upload - i was hoping to find a simpler method.

Anima

Theres loads of templates out there as well. I tend to get a pack from rapidshare and modify one that I like. Quickest way really.

caesura

You could check out MrSite as an option, it's not free but it's dirt cheap and very user friendly - comes with templates, music/media/player etc.

Price wise it costs around €50-€60 (i think) for the full package (a bit more for the Pro package) and i'm sure i saw somewhere that they have a starter package for €20 or £20.

I've used it for both of my sites you can check them out here (keeping in mind that i'm not at all tech savvy so someone like yourself could do alot more)
www.intrepidpilotmusic.com
www.modestmagnet.com

and the MrSite website with samples on it is www.mrsite.co.uk

Don't know if it's the kind of thing your after but sure it's worth a look

JonathanAnon

Hi,

I do a bit of work as a web designer, usually just HTML, CSS, PHP, Swish and mySQL.

The problem with templates is that you usually have to make your information fit the format of the template. What I normally suggest to clients is to look around a few sites from similar businesses, pick the best elements of each (menus, layout, use of images etc etc), and build the site from this.
This will involve you having a) learn HTML and possible PHP, neither of which are rocket science or b) use something like FrontPage or similar to produce the pages.

The key to web design is being good with a graphic application, either Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. I usually start off with a 800x460 empty image in Paint Shop Pro, put the design together and then create the HTML after I have settled on the design.


regards,
J

-Chris-

Maybe go with a hosted solution - I'd be thinking Ning.com if I were you.
Basically it's a "DIY Social Network" site, but seems to be pretty effective for music.

You may not like their music, but check out Good Charlotte's site on Ning
http://goodcharlottenetwork.ning.com/

I like MySpace for setting up a basic band page, but I think with Ning you'd get more control over the users, comments, music etc. etc.

frobisher

If you like flash then I'd strongly recommend www.wix.com

PaulBrewer

DaDumTish wrote: »

i would like to build a website for putting up my pics / music and studio examples -

You're describing MySpace, No?

i57dwun4yb1pt8

yes paul,
but id rather have full control of the site than be at the mercy of a 3rd party .
its far more professional to have your own website , but I will have the myspace and a facebook in tandem.

frobisher

DaDumTish wrote: »

yes paul,
but id rather have full control of the site than be at the mercy of a 3rd party .
its far more professional to have your own website , but I will have the myspace and a facebook in tandem.

I think you need both.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

yes, which is what I said

fitz

Invest in some hosting if you don't have some already.
Play around with the free CMS options out there, and try to build the site in a sub-folder off your domain's root folder. When you're happy, just point the domain at that folder and you're laughin.

My site uses Wordpress blogging software. I can update it from my iPhone.
Certainly doesn't look like a blog though:

www.susiesoho.com

Neurojazz

The wordpress stuff looks awesome... many sites i've seen use it and they look rock solid. Some of the addons for functions are very cool - like the 'cloud' of links that squidges around when you move the mouse over it

i57dwun4yb1pt8

thanks for all the help - i have some options to think about now

shayleon

I vote fr Drupal. Very happy with it. While my main site is HTML based, I use drupal for clients cause they can update the site by themselves with no HTML, and because it has such an extensive modules library and templates.

I must admit though that I never delved into joomla.

As for hosting - been working for years with Hostgator, and VERY happy with them. They also have 24/7 support! which is truly awsome.

Needless to say, domain names from godaddy.com , and if you do a search for "godaddy vouchers" you will find tons of sites with such, so you will pay less than $8 per domain name.

Do not get close to hostroute, even if they will pay you !

cheers.

Shay.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

i will have a look at that one shay, like your studio by the way ( rhyme not intentional ;-) )

Denalihighway

have you heard of www.bandzoogle.com also?

My band might give this a blast for a while around our album release. I've had it on trial it a couple of times and its dead easy to build and use. Plus it has a built in shop facility which allows you stream and sell your tunes for whatever price you want (no cut to them) if you don't want to set your prices at rediculous (IMO) Itunes prices etc...that was what was most attractive for me as a non-tech person.

it costs about 10euro per month. The only fault I have with it is that the template choice is quite limited but if you find one you like then there's no fault...

and of course...its not free...but 10 lids a month won't bankrupt anyone. Worth a look anyways...