What up, blogosphere. Today I reach out to you in my hour of need. Ready for my plea?
I bought a website.
I signed up with justhost.com, and bought the domain name michelleproulx.com. Feel free to click that link and check it out — it’s laughably simple, because I have no idea how to build/maintain a website.
My site is created using Weebly.
Weebly is a widget-based website creator, which Just Host told me to use, and it baffles me. I figured out how to make basic pages with photos and text, but more complicated things elude me. How, for example, do I view my site statistics? Is there a way for me to add a Facebook “Like” button on a page? Or what about a “Tweet it” button? Does it have something to do with HTML? My author friend Tania L Ramos has a website with a Twitter button right on the homepage. How do I get that?
I can’t find any useful how-to videos.
The only videos I’ve found are ones that explain the very basics of using Weebly, which I figured out for myself. A five-year-old could figure it out. I need to know more complicated stuff. Like, how come when I Google my website name, it doesn’t show up until like page 8 of the Google Search results? How can I get it higher up the list? Is there some feature I need to turn on? Do I need to sell my soul? If so, to whom? Is there a refund policy?
In conclusion, technology confuses me.
On the plus side, I did figure out how to get the comments widget to email comments directly to me, so I can read those now. Huzzah!
Help!
Any insights into justhost.com, Weebly, or pretty much anything about making a website would be extremely helpful. Now, to repeat, I know how to make pages, text objects, photos, and link things. It’s the rest of the website building thing that I need help with. Assist me!!!
Image cred:Â http://www.fanpop.com/spots/the-hunger-games/images/28601336/title/lol-true-fanart
Michelle Proulx - Author 
Jesse actually did design a game for me, but he’s not finished, plus I would have no idea how to upload that to a website. Maybe he knows? Lol.
You’re a little spaceship flying through space, and planets kind of fly at you, getting nearer and nearer, and you have to dodge around them or get kersploded.
Congratulations! — First of all.
Now, I don’t mean to rain on your parade or anything, a website is a big deal and something to be proud of, especially one that flaunts a personal or unique URL. However, being inexperienced with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other web-based languages can certainly make it feel like a waste of time, or simply a waste of money.
There are several ways that you’re able to go about your new website. First, you could search for website designers who have experience with the tools that Weebly offers and see what type of fee would be charged in order for them to assist you. Second, you could hire a website designer that does their own work (if Weebly allows page creation outside of their tools) in order to upload them to your webhost. The third option is to begin learning your way around the web languages that would benefit you as a website owner, which would also allow you the flexibility to customize as you see fit.
http://www.w3schools.com is the perfect website when it comes to learning anything about web-based languages. I’ve been there so many times in search of tips and tricks, and just to brush up on a few things that I had forgotten over the years.
Whichever decision you make, remember that when you’re searching for something specific; whether it be a website designer, a new website design, interesting information to fill website pages, etc., be sure to shop around and keep your eyes open for the best of deals.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll check out that link and see what’s what. And when I become a little less poor, I’ll look into hiring a website designer 😀
I’d be really interested to know why you went for webhost and Weebly when you already have this wordpress site. Now, shall I follow both or one of them? Somebody else recommended Weebly to me but said it was really easy to use. By the way, although I’m not at all into space/extra-terrestial fantasies or PS2 or similar games, your site(s?) is great.
Thanks! I got an alternate website because it was advised to me by assorted people that it’s important for an author to have an official website — e.g. not a blog. It didn’t cost that much, so I thought, what the heck, I’ll go for it. You’ll probably want to follow this blog, as this is where all the fun is happening. And if anything important happens on the “official website”, I’ll post about it here 🙂
That’s really interesting though I’m at a loss to know why. For me, sites which are ‘static’ are less interesting than those which regularly offer something new – ie a ‘blog’; I think there are WordPress themes which can accommodate static elements as well as a blog. I’ll have to look into it more. I’ll follow the fun!
Sorry, pushed the button before adding a thanks for the ‘like’ on my ‘Sky picture haiku’. Some of my pictures just seem to plead for a haiku, which I’ve very recently discovered (thanks to ‘fivereflections’). I’ll be posting some more – I’ve got another two in my drafts.
Awesome! I’m following you now, and I’m looking forward to reading them 🙂
hi I did the same as you. I bought a weebly pro site thu justhost. Now i found out that the pro version you get from justhost is a watered down version of the same thing you can get directly from weebly at a cheaper price! It really sucks cause I feel mislead. Now I am going to cancel my justhost account and work directly with weebly. I have sent numerous emails to justhost and weebly on the subject, and neither one helped me. My problem was at justhost if i wanted to enter a video i have to you a “youtube” player. Weebly advertises that as a pro user you can enter in weeblys own generic player. This service you do not get at justhost. Good luck with your website!!!
Very interesting! I’ll have to look into that. I hope justhost hasn’t been misleading me… -_-
Pingback: So close to submitting my manuscript! « Michelle Proulx Official
This is the right site for anyone who wants to
understand this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that
I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic
that has been discussed for decades. Excellent
stuff, just great!
Awesome post.
Excellent blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What web host are
you using? Can I get your affiliate link for your host?
I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Excellent write-up. I certainly love this website.
Continue the good work!
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the use of msn. That is
a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it
and come back to learn extra of your helpful info.
Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.
Ôœow that was unusual. I ust wrote an extremely long comment butt after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show Õ½p.
Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that overr again. Anyways, just wanted to say great blog!
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article.
Many thanks for supplying this information.
As the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very
rapidly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.