Newbie Mistress of My Domain
Late last year, I finally snagged my name as a domain. Someone who shares that name must have let it slip through her fingers. Claiming it was satisfying, but I can’t help wondering about her. Is she out there somewhere kicking herself? I would be.
But mostly now, I’m in the process of coming up with a website that says “I’m a writer and I’m legit.” Potential sources that I cold-call will be able to look me up, even though I don’t have any published books yet. I probably should have done this a long time ago.
A web-savvy friend offered to point me in the right direction, even though I can’t afford his services to design the thing outright. He sent me to draw up a site map, write up “assets” (copy) and click through templates and stock photos.
Building a website seems to have something in common with building and decorating a house. All the decisions to be made about what will be comfortable, yet make a good impression.
Well…first of all, congratulations on owning your own domain. The person who let it go might have done so on purpose. Believe that. As for designing a website – if you just want to get started without bells and whistles, try some of the free programs. I used Yahoo Site Solution. Easy, quick and kinda fun, too.
Good luck! I look forward to visiting your website!
~Debbie
Debora Dale
March 29, 2008
On Dandelion blog they had a series of articles about creating a website through wordpress.org. Not being very computer savvy myself, it seemed kind of daunting. Maybe I will check out Debbie’s idea. Keep us informed about how it goes.
bethyarnall
March 29, 2008
Rhonda,
Congratulations on getting your domain. That’s very important.
When I was setting up my websites, I took a class on Creating Web Pages at ed2go.com. This is a college extension type of program and it will teach you basic HTML. I’d like to do a more sophisticated design, but I don’t have time right now. One of these days.
Good luck! I know there are templates out there you can use.
Lyndi
Lyndi Lamont
March 29, 2008
Thanks for the good wishes. I have found a template, even though it’s not a free one. Believe it or not, it was the second one I looked at. When I saw it, I thought, “That’s it!”
Debbie — Thanks for the heads-up on the Yahoo Site Solutions. This won’t be my last website, so more templates would be great.
Beth — I bet using WordPress. org gives you a site as easy to update as a blog. I’ll have to look into that. Thanks.
Lyndi — I had thought about going with Ed2Go. Glad to know that the classes are good ones. In January, I took an online Intro to HTML class from Kathy Richter. As a result, at least I can look at the code and know where the background colors are.
remlane79
March 30, 2008
Hi Rhonda. Having your own name in your website is good. It’s funny isn’t it that we thought our names were unique. Just to share a bit, small publishers absolutely insist that you have a website. When you are submitting anywhere, big or small, it is worth mentioning that you have a website and blog. I think readers enjoy a blog more than a website. I don’t have mine combined as yet.
Kathleen Rowland
April 2, 2008
Hi Rhonda, I just had a web developer help me set up my website. I compare it to remodeling a house – it can be stressful, but very rewarding in the end.
Sandy Levin
April 3, 2008
Thanks,, ladies. I’m still working on it. I downloaded the template and my stock photos. I’ve got the hosting set up. Now, I’m just fiddling with the copy. The words, which you’d think would be the easy part. Thanks for stopping by.
remlane79
April 10, 2008