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Create Your Own Website

New tools that make it easy to build a website without much technical knowledge are being developed all the time. You may have heard of WordPress, but the latest include Posterous, Tumblr and Flavors.me. With new features being added as we speak, they're becoming another way to launch a full-on website. Remember, the more you can do with a site, the more complex the tool usually. So be sure to pick the right tool for your particular needs. Start by creating a required features list, then match to what is being offered. If you need to set up a domain name, check out our names and domains page.

  • Builder Tools

    Try these on for size, then contact us to discuss your selection and how we can help you create content, modify and maintain your site.
    • 1&1
    • Bravenet
      Build your site plus lots of free add-ons -- even for the site you may already have.
    • Flavors.me
    • Homestead
      A friend of mine loves this service, but not great if you're a Mac user.
    • Host My Site
      If you're looking for lots of customer support, this is an excellent host. I've used them for years. They're very responsive and can help you over the technical rough-spots. Their builder tool isn't great though, so build your site, then host here.
    • Lunarpages
      Their LPQuicksite hosting includes help from them to create (from a template) and maintain your site.
    • Microsoft Office Live Small Business
      Microsoft is offering tools to rival Google's free tools for building websites and managing your business. Since it's Web-based, it works for Macs too. Don't count on great customer support though.
    • Moogo
      Starts as a free builder-tool from Finland, but even at $15.99/mo. it isn't bad. Nice templates and easy to use.
    • Network Solutions
      Easy-to-use builder tool, but has a weird glitch. You can't easily add your logo to their templates, which makes it virtually unusable (updated: Aug 09)
    • Posterous
      Free, easy, mobile, pretty amazing.
    • SiteKreator
      Nice stock designs, but they'll help you build it too.
    • Squarespace
      If you like the Blockbeta site, you should check out this webpage builder. They offer the best templates and interface.
    • Tumblr
      Rivaled only by Posterous, this free tool provides everything from themes to third party plugins.
    • Website Wizard
      Haven't tried them yet, but worth checking out.
    • Wordpress
      This tool used to be just for blogs, but not anymore. Plus, they're incorporating social media.
    • Yahoo Business
      Yahoo offers both basic websites and ecommerce hosting. This is the basic web hosting package. For ecommerce, see below.

  • Wordpress Themes

    If you decide to use Wordpress, here are some great sites for finding themes.
    • Elegant Themes
      Get unlimited access to themes for $39.
    • Headway
      This nifty tool makes it easy to customize Wordpress websites. For $87 you can do 2. Developers can customize CSS too. (10/09)
    • Theme Forest
      Need fancier themes than the ones that come with Wordpress? Check these out.

  • Builders by Specialty

    • EverPub
      For self-published authors, this tool will help you build your book's website.
    • Moonfruit
      Flash-based animation and a very flexible builder tool. If you're a creative business, like a band, designer or artist, this one's for you.
    • PhotoBiz
      A photographer friend of mine loves this tool.

  • Ecommerce Solutions

    Use these sites to help you set up shop on the Web.
    • Ebay Stores
      Not the same as selling one or two items through ebay. This tool lets you set up a complete shop. As of March '08, the lowest monthly fee. However, be sure you take the "listing" and "final value" fees into account.
    • Goodsie
      $15 per month. Unlimited product and image uploads, custom domain name and more. More importantly, no transaction fees or other charges from Goodsie (1/18/12).
    • Shopify
      Offer the best looking templates I've seen so far, and the pricing isn't bad either. But you'll need better than average Web skills to make it work.
    • Volusion
      One of the newest players. They've received some great reviews. Watch for added fees, like the setup charge.
    • Webstore by Amazon
      Amazon offers extensive services if you're looking to sell your own goods. You'll need UPC codes for each product you sell. They offer other services like fulfillment, but it all comes at a price though. As of March '08, starts at $59/month.
    • Yahoo Business
      Yahoo is one of the oldest players on the Web.

  • Track Your Stats

    Your host probably offers tracking, but these tools can provide more ways to view your data.
    • Google Analytics
      Another must-have free tool from Google. Offers graphic depictions of site visitors.
    • Blvd Status
      Currently in beta (12/08), this tool offers tracking with conversion data.
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