Been doing cakes for 33 years now and candy for 27. I have an accomplished customer base now, even though I have started out all over again with a move from Phila. to the state of NC! I need to get a website now so the brides can view my work before our consultations. I have lots of questions. I want to keep costs down so do I get a free website? But that may not look as professional as I want. Do any of you belong to a reasonable website? Is this something I can do on my own? I have a template with Publisher. But what do I do with it after that? I am pretty good with the computer, as I also do computer crafting. But I have never done websites. Any help is appreciated. Helen
PS- I have searched this forum for help in posting photos to my name. But I can't find it!

I use freewebs.com. It is pretty good with I what I need it for. I just post all my pictures of my cakes on there for people to look at.
Also, about how to upload a picture on this web site. (Across the top) click on gallery and then in small un-bold writing it will say upload photos.
Hope this helps.

Thanks! ckirkland! I will be busy tonight! Helen

For a website, I really think you would be better off having your own domain name at least, and probably your own web site as well. IMHO it just looks so much more professional. Domain names are pretty reasonable. You can search to see if the one you want is available and if it is, register it at godaddy.com. I've had several different domain names registered over the years for different purposes, and have never had any sort of problem with them. If you're handy with a computer, a web site really isn't that complicated to put together.
Good luck!

I use www.canaca.com ... their rates are very reasonable (I think mine is about $4/month), you get a TON of space & bandwidth and you get a discount on registering your domain name too!

I bought my domain name and host at directnic.com. They are New Orleans based. I made my website and uploaded it there. You should be able to do your own updating. It's $15 a year for the domain name and $15 a year for the hosting. They have free hosting but it has a banner for their site.

I have had someone update and change my website up since then but I am still hosting on the same place.

If you can afford it, FrontPage is a nice web site builder. Also, there are html classes for free online if you have time for those as well.

The best thing would be to marry a web designer like I did! The 2nd best would be to consult with someone who does web design and can advise you. I will tell you, it's the best thing I could do for my business!! I've gotten quite a few calls already about cakes.
Good luck!
Ellen

Once you get a web site, advertise on Craigslist! That site has gotten me more hits and inquiries than anything else. I just put a few ads on there every month or so and it works like a charm.

I use Starlogic. I paid 70 bucks for the entire year, which I believe included 5 gigs of space (more then I will ever need) and a ton of bandwidth. (would have to look it up) Also included web hosting, registration, and unlimited pop email accounts. I like them also because they provide frontpage extensions, java plugins, and even pay pal, if you want to offer that. I like it because I can just upload my front page web site and don't have to worry about anything.

thanks ckirkland! I went up and created a website today on freewebs. It was the easiest way to get a basic website up there without spending money!!
http://www.freewebs.com/bellascakes

Website looks great!!

Congrats!

I have 3 domain names and sites on Godaddy.com (no I'm not geting paid) Cheap registration prices for domain names, and very cheap prices per month for the site.

It's been a while since I had to do anything with the admin side, with Godaddy, but only because I got a discount to pay at least a year in advance, plus my names are registered for 5+ years each, so... Going this route means I "own" my domain name, not some company.

Anyway, go with someone who won't require banners or any ad from them, on your site. Free is great for price, disaster for business. The chances of the free systems being down for extended times are better than for the paid services. You are afterall, paying someone to keep yoru site up.

You could even check into "Yahoo Small Business" or Yahoo/Geocities website (paid version), they offer plenty of nice templates. The other place that my main site is with, is - www.1and1.com $6 a year for the domain name, and maybe $5 a month for the site.

FYI, there are no banners on the freeweb site.

Yeah!!!! I just finished making my own website on freewebs.com! I am gonna play with it more, but I did it!

Just checked out your site. It looks nice! I think I'll check out freewebs for myself. Congratulations!