I talk to a lot of people that "would" start a website but it often seems that people are lost and do not know where to start. So what is holding you back from starting a website of your own?
- Money?
- Time?
- Not sure what to do?
- Lazy?
- Cost?
I often talk about WordPress as the easiest (and best way IMO) for a lot of sites created, but I also know that a lot of people do not know how to use FTP, do not have a hosting account etc. Is this something that is holding you back? What if somebody set up that part for you on your own domain? Worried about using WordPress, that it is not "easy"?
I always get a kick out of people who spend a massive amount of time on Facebook, Twitter and so on that type all kinds of interesting stuff, but really get no benefit from writing it! Why not start a blog type site and benefit from ads? You can still post what you write to Facebook and Twitter!
Are you well informed on a topic that you think you could help people with? You should start a site and "blog" about it!
I am interested to hear from you, on why you have not started a website! The reason I ask, is because I want to help as much as I can! I know you can browse the net, but you will also likely see many different ways to do something, so I am asking you, so I can try to help. Maybe a stripped down, 100% walk thru guide is what you need? Maybe you need WordPress loaded onto your hosting and a quick step guide to just get the ball rolling?
Based on the replies from you, I will try my very best to provide what you need to start! So what is preventing you for starting a website of your own?
TriCounty
Why make time-consuming sites when you can just buy domains?
I hate maintaining sites.
Jamie Zoch
Because a domain is just a domain. Add a good domain with a fairly useful website and you can gain value not only into your domain name, but hold the shot at making money with the site as well.
Leonard Britt
Making money from development is not as easy as creating a minisite. However, I believe it is still a useful learning experience to have gone through the process of learning basic website development. Of course I am still using XSitePro2 but later this year will sit down, learn WP basics and launch a site on WordPress. Perhaps maybe it would be easier to just redesign an existing site with a nicer template. We’ll see…
Jamie Zoch
@Leonard,
Thank you for your input. Yes it is not always easy to turn a profit from a site but I think there is a lot more to just turning a profit with a website. As you stated, experience is one thing gained. Maybe you would love blogging, but simply have not tried it.. how would you know, until you try it. Maybe your company just needs a presence on the web! Building it yourself (with a little help to get started) allows you to put your passion into the site! No it will not make money on ads right away, but you can provide data to your customers they may need etc.
Gazzip
Interesting question Jamie
My main problem always seems to be the same, getting decent appropriate photos that I can legally use. I’v contacted quiet a few tourism boards asking if I could use their media but they never ever bother to reply LOL (drives me nuts)- I think they’re just pissed because my domains are pretty good ones
I have bought a few photos before but some of the prices are INSANE, It would be cheaper to fly there for two weeks and take my own photos if I had the spare money to do so!
I’ll just throw this idea out there to your viewers incase any domainer/developer is looking for a new project.
How about a photo bank for domainer/developers, we come from all over the world so we could upload our own photos for free use by other members, the operator could charge a set yearly fee something like $30/$40 for each member + members also have to upload a certain amount of photos each year of their membership.
Once there is a good stock of photos they could extend the offer to professional web developers which would also help bring more developers into the realm of domainerland – more domain sales perhaps
Just a thought as it seems far more domainers are turning to development since PPC fell off the cliff.
Richard
I guess for me it’s the advertising costs. If you don’t have help through word of mouth (social media), or you’re not search engine optimized, then you’re pretty much a sitting duck. There’s always the “fresh, unique content” setback, but if you have a domain with a clear future than it’s not that much of a problem to generate content.
Jamie Zoch
@Gazzip,
iStockphoto.com is the cheapest and has The Best images with a super wide range of images. I have used them many times and have always been happy.
Jamie Zoch
Thank you for your input Richard. SEO is all of our best friend and can really lower advertising costs. I think with social media, SEO and your domain used should really help lower ad costs.
Jim Holleran
For me, I work 2-3 hours a day and my time is better spent buying/selling domains and monetizing my traffic through PPC, CPA, etc.
I don’t work when my twin 2 year old daughters are awake because they are my #1 priority and nothing is going to take away time from them.
Thanks, Jim
Kedaar
I am part time domainer and can spend only 1-2 hours a day and that also if my 2yr old son allows me to work. Time is obvious but money also the main factor as i cant hire guy to develop for me.
Then also I have decided to develop at least 85% of my portfolio in 3 months. It is project dead line for me set by me.
Professionals deliver better under pressure
Gazzip
Yeah I’v bought some from iStockphoto.com before and they do have a great selection but I tend to need something more specific, like certain golf courses in a certain place, same with hotels and other local attractions. Real hard to get them without flying there or getting them from the local tourist board.(which has’nt worked so far out of all my attempts)
Places like Gettyimages can charge you $300 + just to use one photo for a year!, so many rules,restrictions and hoops to jump through makes it unaffordable unless you’re a big media/news company like BBC, FORBES etc
.
Thanks
Jamie Zoch
Thank you Jim and Kedaar for your input!
Mike
@Jim: Relax. No one said they were gonna take any time away from your kids. Geez. Holy sh..
John Allen
Hello Jamie:
I want to run a blog for the .info extension since no one else is, and I want to build a directory for pumps but don’t know how.
-Allen