Those of you who do not have a website, but are thinking about dipping your toes into the medium, it's about frickin' time.

I found this article online about doing that on the cheap. I know we have discussed other places  before, such as dotnetnuke and others, and maybe we casn compile a list here.

Without further ado:

Here's the article.

"There are all sorts of tools and applications out there, but our main selection criteria in this post is whether the tool lets you build a site, for free, in less than an hour and publish it to create at least a basic presence online."

Great info.

Biggest problem people run into with site building is content. They think it just appears out of thin air.

Best approach is to figure a layout based on another website that you like. Then copy the layout in terms of pages and order of content. Then create quality content in a text editor and NOT WORD.

Once the content is created, then create the website, inserting the text content into each page as you go along.

Last, you will want to get some images that spruce of the text. Text is boring, pictures are not. Make sure to resize the images down to 72DPI or you site will run real slow.

And double last, make sure you have no malware or viruses on your computer as you build it.

Just my two cents, good luck to all who take the plunge.

Andy

I agree with Andy. Content is KING, and it will definitely have an impact on your visitors.

One thing to consider is what TYPE of website you are going to build, and what do you want to get out of it.

For example; is it designed just for people to get your address so they can find your shop?
Is it so they can view your work? See your stone selection?

Point is, if you are going to build a site, build one that suits your goals.

Here is a link that concisely defines the top groupings;

http://www.xislegraphix.com/website-types.html

Why is it that if we heard of a customer doing a countertop himself we would almost always roll our eyes and shake our heads. We know the difficulty and unless the person is particularly handy, the result will be less than professional.

Yet when it comes to advertising or web site building, suddenly these same tool hounds see themselves as perfectly capable of creating  professional quality advertising or web site building.
 
Worse yet, only the DIYer's family and friends will see his attempt at a countertop. The whole world will see the advertising and web site.

Why is this? Am I missing something?

Joe

I think its great that tools are available that can help people create a website.. that's part of what makes the internet a great medium is that everyone can come in and start to understand whats going on.

The good thing about DIY website is that nobody will ever see it.

A website that is not marketed is a digital business card for people that already know who you are. You know who you are .. your the guys with less than 500 visits per month to your website. The good news is is that you are in the majority .. about 95+% of small business websites are brochure-ware sites providing access to your phone number and email address to existing customers or new customers driven by other means like the business card you handed out at the fair.

Sometimes that's enough.

When the fabricator down the street starts eating your lunch that's when it's time to consult a Pro to actually drive more business.

the "Pro" should talk about these topics with you:

# Competitive Analysis
# Define Competitive Advantage
# Branding
# Communication Strategy
# Keyword Analysis
# Domain Selection
# Hosting Email
# Content Development
# Call To Action
# Social Media Strategy
# WEBSITE DESIGN
# Social Media Integration
# Online Marketing Strategy
# Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
# Business Listing Submission
# Linking
# Search Engine Submission
# Web Analytics Reporting


If you are talking to a "website designer" you will talk about:

# WEBSITE DESIGN

and you wont be a whole lot better off than you were with your DIY site.

"The good thing about DIY website is that nobody will ever see it. "

Heh.

Joe, I have to say, if you were to gear up some design software skillz, and get you some larnin on search engine optimization, you would be an excellent copy man for this industry's websites.

You are all more than welcome to use the contect on www.CountertopReview.com . It is there to fill you site with some basic information. Change it up a bit to personalize it or just visit the site to get some insight.

Websites are difficult to make, build and design. You have to have basic HTML experience, and good handle on a photo editing software and the ability to write content. Bad websites are a direct reflection on your company, so a poor website, can be worse than none at all.

Posted By Andy Graves on 07 Nov 2010 04:04 PM
You are all more than welcome to use the contect on www.CountertopReview.com . It is there to fill you site with some basic information. Change it up a bit to personalize it or just visit the site to get some insight.

Websites are difficult to make, build and design. You have to have basic HTML experience, and good handle on a photo editing software and the ability to write content.




Bad websites are a direct reflection on your company, so a poor website, can be worse than none at all.

Blasphemy,

Andy,
I just noticed that, on the comparison chart, both Quartz and Laminate are listed as non-NSF compliant.

Is this true? I thought that both materials were okay.

To my knowledge, quartz does pass NSF 51 and laminate does not.

Tom,

I dont know about Laminate passing or not passing. I just dont keep up with it, but Quartz has and most if not all would definitely pass NSF.

As for laminate, if they dont pass have them give me a call, I am sure I can get them passable when I have some time.

Yeah, I can't see why laminate wouldn't qualify.

So Len, you anywhere near Mary and her husband in the Down Under?

No Tom,

I actually contacted the Carpenters. They are in Adelaide which would require an additonal flight. I landed in Melbourne and drove to some small rural places for some onsite work. I will be here for 2 days, moving on to Sydney for several days and surrounding locales. Basicly Victoria and NSW (New South Wales Province).

I get to visit some fabbers here which is cool also!

The beer is cold (Im drinking Fosters at the moment), the ladies are pretty and astute, and the people are very nice!

Downside, is they drive on the wrong side of the road! The steering wheel is on the wrong side, like Hong Kong, or the UK. I didnt know that, but it figures when thinking about the roots of this country.  I keep walking to the wrong side of the car etc. Old habits are hard to break. Thank God I am not driving, we would all be dead now!

G'Day Mate!

Pretty Sheilas are a plus to be sure.

I will check out the chart. Not sure what it says.

Hi Tom,

Answer to your question below!

Andy, this may be new chart fodder for you!

Hi Guys,

I had a few minutes of free time today (15 minutes). I checked the NSF listings and found the following:

WilsonArt- I found some  Anodized aluminum (metal foil) patterns are listed under NSF 51 (just like solid surface and quartz). The other patterns are not listed.

WilsonArt has other patterns listed under NSF 35 – “High Pressure Decorative Laminates for Surfacing Food Service Equipment”.

Formica-Patterns from the Asian plant, Canadian Plant, and US plant are listed under NSF 35 – “High Pressure Decorative Laminates for Surfacing Food Service Equipment”.

I dont know if the listings for WA and Formica cover every pattern and finish.

I hope this helps!

That's what it must be - NSF 35. Thanks for the effort, Lenny-sama.

Andy has a decision to make.

Thanks Lenny. Appreciate the help.

Andy,

It was my absolute pleasure to contribute back to fabnet. BTW, do you know my wife still talks about having lunch with you and yours, Norm and Susan etc.  at the 2009 SS show in FL. Before that, I used to leave for overseas and wire deposits would magicly appear. As they say in Australia, I think she got the feeling I was kinda dodgy!

Meeting you, she realized I was actually doing honest work! You most likely saved my marriage! 

I do my best. That is a funny story Lenny. You wife was really nice. I can't imaging going to a trade show in a foreign country. I would feel so out of my element. She was great.

BTW, I do marriage counseling on the side. Website to come.