Web Design Work
Hi everyone! Per admin recommendation I'm posting this in comp.
I would like to switch Staining The Timbre from a blogspot domain to its own. I can handle the paperwork and whatnot associated with the url change, but I would like to hire a web designer to spruce up the joint a bit. Right now I'm using a default theme provided by Blogspot and, while it serves its purpose, it makes the page look like it's run by a high schooler.
It should be a relatively basic project. I don't need anything for commerce set up, or anything I think of as "crazy". Just a very basic blog layout that looks professional on both desktop and mobile (the latter is a little lacking in particular right now). Archive links, Tags, ability to comment on posts, Contact Info, and one that preferably preserves the large-picture format the site currently has; that's about it, aside from being able to create the posts themselves.
If anyone is interested please send me a private message. This is very much still in the quoting phase, but I appreciate any assistance you all can provide me in getting an idea on cost.
Thanks in advance!
I am surprised it has been mentioned yet, but Netlify. It is free for what you want, and dead simple, so long as you are comfortable reading setup guides.
How do you want to post content? Are you comfortable with a command-line interface, where you build and deploy the site from your computer, or do you want a web-driven interface, where you type your posts into a textbox in your web browser? I presume the second version is what you're using now. Have you looked at Ghost or Write.as? I think both of those can be self-hosted.
If you're looking for a one-click install solution, however, WordPress (as others have mentioned) can't really be beat for ease of use. At least until you want to do some major customization.
I think ghost self hosted is pretty manageable. I've had one running in a docker container for a fair amount of time, upgrades were relatively painless too. I haven't customized it at all fwiw.
I've heard it can be easy. Don't use it myself (I have a Hakyll setup) but I've seen some blogs that look really nice with it.
If you are looking for a platform, I’ve heard (but not tried) Precis.
It utilises free GitHub hosting (GitHub pages). Basically you edit markdown file either via git cli or github editor, and the changes instantly appear on the website. It looks pretty nice.
You’ll still need someone to play with the css a bit and I’m not sure if Markdown is enough for you, but the idea itself looks really nice.
thanks for mentioning Precis! I played around with it, which finally got me into messing with github pages. I had no idea it was simply using jekyll themes. What a great way to throw up a quick site!
Precis itself seems decent, too. I had no idea there were so many similar systems out there.
Not to dodge the question, but have you considered using wordpress? It's made for blogs, and not super difficult to setup. It might look a bit cookie cutter in some ways, but it should make the process easy and the site attractive.
https://www.wpbeginner.com/guides/
I have, thanks for the advice, though! Truthfully I could probably manage to do it all if I just knuckled down and tried, but I don't even begin to have the willpower to do that. I'd rather just drop some cash and have someone who actually knows what they're doing, aesthetically and technically, take a whack at it.
What about Squarespace?
I considered squarespace because the missus uses it for her work, but I'm worried their platform is too sales-focused (given the whole point of their business is to more easily facilitate sales by way of easy-to-use marketing and retail tools) where as I'm going for something completely money free.
It hasn't been removed entirely from the possibilities board yet, though. As I said in the OP, this is still in the planning stages so all advice is appreciated!
Fair enough, I totally get that.
I agree. Wordpress seems like the right tool for this job. Easy to setup, easy to edit, and lots of available themes/plugins for non-techies.
OP, try and keep it light. Too many plugins will bloat your page. Stick to the essentials and your site will fly.
I've done blog sites for clients a couple of times, but it's not my forte to put it mildly.
However, I really like the "content management system" I used for them. Open-source and making some waves, called Grav (https://getgrav.org). Runs on anything. I did the prototypes on a Raspberry Pi just for fun and had no issues. The runner up was Joomla (https://www.joomla.org) which is nice too. Both of them have all kinds of different blog templates and skins/themes. And the end-user (you) can manage the content without having to get their hands dirty so to speak.
My advice, for what it's worth (which is exactly what you're paying for it) is to go ahead and drop some cash to hire an expert to get you bootstrapped but I would only invest in something that doesn't tie you to that person or ANY person really especially in terms of changing it's appearance or content. I would definitely avoid any sort of fixed/rigid concept. And while I don't want to offend anyone, sites that advertise "cheap expertise" are using an oxy-moron. I cannot tell you how many cries for help I get from people who thought they could get a web-site built by "an expert" for $50 or $5 an hour.
Last bit of advice: Have your plan ready before you get your person, with as much detail as possible. Lots of questions you should be answering before you start spending. The less detail you have, the more likely you'll waste money.
And ps: take advantage of all the "good will" you can get with communities/groups like this one. Although my experience is that they are rare. But there are people out there (like me) who aren't looking to make any money but are willing to help you not waste yours. I'm semi-retired and self-employed, and I will gladly help you get going on the right path. Just make sure that anyone you accept advice from is qualified (including me, and I'm happy to provide creds).
Hope this helps!
I'd second the WordPress advice, but are you looking for someone to host this for you? It seems like you just want hosted blogging with a nicer skin?
I can handle the hosting and the domain name stuff, I just need someone to give me, as you say, a "nicer skin" for the website.