Weddingbee boards

Sooooo not wedding related. But where else do I go if I need suggestions? The hive of course! :-)

So many bloggers have taken it to the next level and had websites designed for them, logos etc. This is why I am asking you guys.

I am creative but know nothing about graphic design. I am trying to design a logo and eventually a website for a pet sitting biz I want to start.

I have my name and my logo idea.....but not way to put it together other than using clipart and Word.

Are there free graphic design programs you can download?

Are there places that offer a "build your own website" for people who do not know all the tech stuff?   

I would LOVE any suggestions for you guys. I feel like I have the vision to create what I want.....but I don't have the programs or technical skills

The easiest and cheapest way to build your own website would be to buy some web building software.  You can find it at Best Buy or Office Depot or a similar store; the decent ones cost about $60 I think.  They contain templates and layouts, and you just pick and choose what you want.

You'll also need a host for your website (someone you pay to keep the website online).  For really basic web hosting, you'll pay only a few dollars a month, and it usually comes with a free email address under your domain (like customerservice@petsittingwebsite.com).  There's usually a maximum bandwidth too (i.e. if you have tons of customers visiting the site and viewing large pictures and videos on it, that eats up your bandwidth, but you won't have this problem when you're just starting out).

Here's an article with reviews of some popular web hosts:  http://www.webhostingchoice.com/

Lastly to make your logo, you'd have to pay for any decent graphics design software too, and if you've never done graphic design before, you might not like what you come up with.  I've seen ads for people who design wedding logos and charge about $100 to do it - you might want to save yourself a headache and go that route.

If you'd rather try out some free software to make your logo, then I suggest Microsoft Paint (comes installed on every Windows computer), or download IrfanView for free.

http://www.irfanview.com/

Good luck!

Thank you!

I knew my question was kinda of random so I didn't know if anyone would reply

I think I will start with a more simple website. My husband made me realize "you don't have to START with a awesome site"

I am starting a biz on the side and want to see how it goes. It may not pan out. So I don't want to invest more than I have to. I see that yahoo does a free website with some layout help. I may just go the basic route until I see that I am getting buisess.

I am going to try to ideas about the logo with paint or that other free program. 

Thanks

Yeah I've tried Yahoo's site builder, but it ended up looking like a kid's project.  That was several years ago, so hopefully they have a better builder these days!

Good luck with your website project and starting the new business!

any chance you have a mac?  if you do, you can create easy websites using Pages, which is similar to msword.  Pages has premade templates and layouts, and you can just click and drag photos and info in.  you can also have your web page hosted through mac's mobileme, around $70 for a year.  your husbands right about not having to have the perfect site right away.  it's easy to get overwhelmed thinking everything has to be perfect-perfect.  :)  get the site up and running, and focus on your new business.  good luck!

@missmouse29: Thank you for the great info! I will look into this. I want to start with something simple and free....but still not looking like my amateur blog :-) If I make a little $ then I will be better about spending some money of website design. Thanks for the links I will check these out.

@simplifiedbride: Thanks for the words about it being ok to be simple. Yes, I was a little overwhellmed and he put it into perspective. People like Thatwife for example......she started as only a blogspot. So I can be simple as long as it's professional. And I am only trying to serve my local neighborhood....so hopefully it being a little more casual will work on a small scale like this.

Sadly I don't have a mac :-(