Linda Hargrove

Linda Leigh Hargrove

Who’s Afraid of a Little Old Web Site?

I sat at the keyboard, frozen with utter terror, my throat tight with unshed tears. It just wasn’t cool to cry in the campus computer lab. You could curse or bang your head on the keyboard, but not cry.

But twenty years ago, that’s all I wanted to do whenever I faced a computer. Half of me, the little country girl that had never seen a computer before, was afraid of breaking the thing. The other half, the straight “A” teacher’s pet perfection addict, was afraid she’d met her match.

Walking in someone else’s shoes
Maybe it’s fear that’s crippling your Web genius. There’s a cure for that: TEMPLATES. I’m not talking about those old tired boxy things that came with your version of FrontPage. I’m talking fresh, relevant, and flexible (and don’t forget affordable) pre-assembled sites. Browse the Internet (search keyword: HTML templates) and find out what’s available. You’ll see, templates have come around. You can buy them in bundles or one by one, even by subscription. The template images come as Photoshop ready files (.psd), which are compatible with most image editors.

Be careful, though. HTML templates, Dreamweaver Templates, and Flash templates are totally different animals. Unless you have Macromedia Flash or DreamWeaver MX, I’d recommend you just stick with HTML templates that you can edit in any HTML editor. Sure the Flash ones have some super nice animated buttons but save those for the sequel.

If you don’t feel like you can edit a template yourself, it’s no biggie. Purchase and download the template you want and hire the rest of the job out. There’s no shame in that. It doesn’t matter if you get your daughter or her ex-boyfriend’s cousin, your dream of having a Web site will still be realized. Don’t let lack of time, energy, or fear stand in your way.

Getting the right fit
I talk to a lot of people about designing their site. Some folks actually tell me, “I don’t know what I want; I just want a site.” You wouldn’t tell Isaac Mizrahi, “I don’t know what I want, just give me a black shoe, size 10.” (Or maybe you would for a Mizrahi). My point is that you probably do know what you want, just like you know that you want that black shoe to be a five-inch slingback stiletto that turns you into Jennifer (Aniston or Lopez—your choice).

Give your Web girl (or guy) the Web addresses you want your site to feel or function like. Tell the Web designer how you expect your site to make your clients or customers feel. Explain the impression you want to leave. Make a few sketches. Maybe you have a brochure that uses some special colors or fonts; maybe even a logo.

Have all your materials and ideas ready to hand over. Get a quote and a timetable. If you and your Web person don’t mesh in the first couple meetings, get another one. Bottom line: you want the right fit for your needs. FYI: some Web designers call templates semi-customized sites.

Homemade slippers
You’re the do-it-yourselfer. I can tell. (You’ve read this far in the article, after all). You don’t want "no stinking template." You wouldn’t touch someone calling themselves “Web master” with a ten foot pole. You want to pull on some mules you stitched from scratch and strut your Web stuff.

But there’s that pesky thing called time that keeps slipping through your fingers. Here’s a tip. Try out a different Web host provider. Many of them offer lots of built in features like content management systems (CMS) and forums (AKA bulletin boards). CMS like Mambo/Joomla and e107 offer online help and oodles of templates (most are free).

Be warned: there’s a learning curve with a CMS that could choke a good-sized bear, but by using CMS web forums you’ll fair better. To pull off a custom template you’ll need to have a good grasp of HTML, a touch of web graphics savvy, and FTP access. FTP, or file transfer protocol, comes standard with most host providers. Some FTP software is free.

Footloose
There are few things in life that satisfy more than conquering a fear. It’s weird now to look back on those days when I sat paralyzed in front of that campus computer. Nowadays I don’t think twice about using the computer or even opening the thing up to change out a part. Funny how the little triumphs have changed me. They can change you too.

HAVE FUN. WORK THE WEB.

For HTML templates:
http://www.designload.net/
http://www.dreamtemplate.com/

Host providers with built-ins:
http://powweb.com/

FTP software
http://www.smartftp.com/
http://software.visicommedia.com/en/products/aceftpfreeware/