Hi,
Can anyone recommend an extremely easy approach to do-it-yourself Web site construction? I'm looking to put up a simple site, but do not want to have to learn HTML coding. I need something that is totally simple for a non-techie. I see all these free templates being offered online. Are they the way to go? Can someone suggest which is a good templates-site to try?

Thanks.

The web hosting company I use, http://cyberhosted.com, offers a program in Fantastico, which comes with each plan, called SoHoLaunch. It is a website building program that is very easy to use. Pretty much a drag and drop type thing. Very simple to use, even if you don't know how to write html.

There are also other website builders, commonly known as WYSIWYG(what you see, is what you get) editors available for free online. There is one that comes to mind, Nvu. Pronounced NView.
I used it until I got to learning more about writting code and then I got Dreamweaver, which is more advanced. You can get the nvu program for free at http://nvu.com.

Hope this helps!

Go to www.officelive.com this is the easiest and most flexible system from Microsoft and it is free. I have put a client into it to save him money until he really wants to invest in a website.

WYSIWYG's can be useful, but again you're having to deal with a learning curve.
Personally I wouldn't do the Microsoft thing, I've heard stories that make me stay away.
I've found the easiest and fastest way to get online is with online site builder programs.
Programs like http://www.EZSiteMax.com step you thru a point and click process that literally gets you live with e-commerce and everything else in under an hour.
Hope this helps.:-)

1. Hosting, I suggest lunarpages.com they are reliable and you'll hosting for your website. I don't suggest free hosting as you are trying to sale something.

2. Use an opensource program, they aren't that hard to install and they all have support forums and many will install for free, I'll do it for you contact me. Joomla is the best in my opinion, it's free with free templates that you can edit to suit your needs then later if you do well, have one custom designed.

3. Other useful opensource programs: Wordpress for you blog, PHPBB for your forum, and osCommerce for your ecommerce website. Just type in the names and you'll find them on the engines.

4. If you prefer straight HTML templates then oswd.org provides free HTML templates, you'll need an HTML editor search for free ones on hotscripts.com

any other questions let me know.

You can use one of the above mentioned services/templates....but I would recommened buying your own software (Dream Weaver is great) and learn how to do it yourself. Its not THAT hard and by learning you can update the website whenever you want, or change it completely. Plus its fun!
For a quick, easy and professional fix, consider logoworks . com for $1500 they will create a new logo and 3 page website - pretty good deal.

Thats all I've got!

Logan Baker - President

http://www.vcdsigns.com

I'm not familiar with the other methods mentioned above, but I would stay away from those that are specifically called templates. Usually templates are just website files. These are mainly used by web developers who know code and are able to edit the template in a way to adapt to their site and also know how to upload it to the web. I didn't realize that was the case with templates until just a few months ago...I think there are alot of people out there that think templates are ready-to-go websites that are easy to make yourself. I don't know much about Joomla, which is mentioned above, however, so that method might be fine.

Hope that helps and hope you can find a good solution!