Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2011

Please share in the comments: If you created your own site, what did you use? (WordPress, straight HTML from scratch, Joomla, etc.)

If you hired someone, who did you work with and how do you feel about the process/project/end result?

If you used a free website builder - which one and are you happy with the results?

I'd love to see this thread develop as a resource in and of itself for virtual assistants who are trying to decide which direction to go in terms of getting their own site online.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

#2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2011

Actually, mine is "none of the above." My son created it with straight HTML from scratch, plus some images in Paint Shop Pro using a free program to upload it all to the server. Then I have learned enough HTML and some PSP to make changes and additions. I have a lot more to learn, though, and I LOVE it. Wish I had gotten into coding a long time ago and could do it for a living! (I don't think I'd be a good website designer, but I'd love doing just the coding.)

#3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2011

I created my site with WordPress and the premium Headway theme. ♥ I love the flexibility of the two combined.

#4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2011

I had mine created for me (and I love it!) but I maintain it myself. It's WordPress also which I find in the main easy to use, although I don't touch any of the CSS etc.

#5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011

My first site was straight HTML and my current site is WordPress using Ithemes with some tweaked coding.

#6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011

I created my first site with HTML and CSS.

I then moved it over to Wordpress for a number of reasons:

It is easier to change.
If you need additional functionality you can just add a plugin that will do it.
You can change the theme and have a completely different feel to your site.

Best regards
Chris

#7 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011

I am creating my website right now. I'm using Wordpress (hosted on my own server) and I bought a premium theme that I am customizing to fit what I need. Some of the customization can be done within the back-end of the theme, and for other parts I'm tweaking the code.

I'm most familiar with Wordpress and I find that it is quite flexible, especially with all the free plugins that allow you to add powerful features with just a few clicks. A fine example of the strength of open-source development! I think it saves me a lot of time and stress over building it from HTML alone, especially when considering that it makes it a lot easier to make updates to the site and maintain a blog.

But, Wordpress isn't a "perfect" content management system and I've been curious to try out Content5 and SquareSpace - would love to know if anyone has used them.

#8 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011

I use XsitePro. It had templates that came with it and it's easy to use and upload my site from. All the WordPress comments have me thinking though.

I'd like to know what everyone thinks of the services that seem to be "all-in-one" like GoDaddy (or the like) for instance. They have a website builder and a way to get newsletters out like Constant Contact or Vertical Response. I like the idea of everything I need being under "one roof". It seems less confusing.

#9 (**permalink**) 08-08-2011

I created my own with HTML and CSS (style sheets) and using Dreamweaver. Before Dreamweaver it was HTML and I am truly loving Dreamweaver and I am in the process of learning how to DRAW and how to do FLASH on my site and my client's sites.