New Website - Buy or DIY?

[Justin]

I need to get another website up and running. Whilst I want something a little better than of the shelf, I'm thinking about getting something online asap and then working on a better one longer term.

I was looking at this seller on eBay.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120838223559? ... 097wt_1137 and wondered if I might be better going down this route or just setting it all up myself? I see that this sample uses ZenCart. I guess it's time as much as anything but I'd appreciate advice on this.

Do any members specialise in website design?

[smitch6]

depends on what you want Justin
i've made a few for myself and other customers
but steer clear of zen its a pain, lumpy not many features and the support isn't very good

[Justin]

Cheers for that I know we've discussed this elsewhere on the forum but thought I'd start a new thread more based around the website rather than the eCommerce but obv. that's part of it.

I need something professional looking but quick and easy to use. I have a live site that I could customise but the company I 'bought' it off used to charge me £25 p/m hosting etc. and there's no point in me going back to paying that when I have space already. Eventually I want a much better site where the customer can upload and see their finished article before ordering but to get me started just something straight forward with the upload facility.

[smitch6]

i use and always recommend open cart as it has a good upload feature built in
if you wanted any help i'll try and help out where i can

i've just sorted a member off here out with a new site
maybe he'll pop along at some point and give you some info on how it's like to use coming from a complete newbie to the software

[Justin]

Just looking at the shop on your site, looks pretty slick, runs well What facility do you use for customers to upload their own design/pic though?

[smitch6]

it's built into the software
they can upload files or text
whichever you want to apply or both etc

i know the person who i just set up mentioned there is a paid mod which does something more but i'm not sure what
as as far as i can tell images and/or text is all thats needed

[smitch6]

pm sent Justin so u can have a play with a demo site and see how the software works

[Ian M]

I was looking at another one on Ebay & they were charging just under £60 per year & they designed it for you. Their selling point was that you could see the eShops they had built for others on the net & must admit they all looked really good. I really want an online shop but must admit I'm really lost when it comes down to building a website of my own from scatch. I just know if I had an eShop I could do pretty well as I have a friend who is putting together some superb designs.

[Justin]

I hear what you're saying Ian. I'm the same, I just thought it was time to get on with it. I've been putting it off because I know I won't get exactly what I want just yet but I'd be better off getting something online soon.

My last website I had to pay monthly, I thought this was hosting but when I wanted to move the site I was told that I couldn't. I thought I'd save myself some money by hosting elsewhere as I'd already paid a fair whack for the initial build...or rather template. This time I want to have full control and ownership!

[Justin]

pm sent Justin so u can have a play with a demo site and see how the software works

Looks great! PM'd you and will carry on playing! Many thanks.