Sunday, November 30, 2008

Visions of Websites Dance through their Heads

Many of my blogging buddies have their own websites these days. It’s one of the things a writer can do to help build their profile and prepare for once their work is published. I’ve been thinking of putting up my own for a number of years, but not knowing enough about it, I’ve been checking out some web hosting articles at various sites and discussions. For me, I think it can wait a while... at least until I find an agent. The blog will suffice for my writing space, and it’s free... but I like to keep reading up on it, so I’m prepared when it’s time.

There’s a lot to learn. How do you choose a host? Who will design your graphics? How important is your domain name and should I get my domain name now and park it for when I’m ready?

Thankfully, I have a great writer’s circle who I will be able to bother for information when I’m ready... Be afraid, be very afraid. But it never hurts to do a little research so that you know how much work and money it will take to get off the ground. Plus, I’m hoping that preparation will save me some mistakes and time once I get to the point where I’m setting up a site.

How about you guys? Do you have a site now? How hard was it for you to muddle through building it, or did you have someone build it for you? If you don’t have a site, are you thinking about it and researching?

12 comments:

Chris Eldin said...

LOL! I will be watching to see what you do!!
I had my domain name "www.chriseldin.com" for a couple of years, but didn't do anything with it.
Then I made a do-it-yourself site that came with the purchase of the domain name. You can click over and take a peek.
It ain't polish, but it's a start. I'll keep it as a frame for later, but I'll pay somebody to do me a nice one if I ever get published. It's not too horrible, is it? {sigh} if so, I'll have to take it down.

Merry Monteleone said...

Hi Chris,

No, it's not horrible at all! I love your content, too... the boogie poem is awesome.

Travis Erwin said...

I have a site registered but nothing is there. Yet.

Merry Monteleone said...

Hi Travis,

I look forward to visiting when you put it all up... it's coming soon - I just know it!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Merry I did everything through bludomain.com - but it is very specifically a photographers website so it has al these galleries and such. There are a variety of templates to choose from and you can host through them but they are probably more expensive than other hosting companies. However, this worked out well for me for the moment. But I have to warn you Merry, it is a lot of work!!! When you are ready, don't be frustrated by how long it actually takes. No that it is normal! And of course I'll help you as much I can.

Merry Monteleone said...

Hi Ell,

Oh, believe me, you're on my short list of writers for to bother when I'm ready to set up a site! Yours is beautiful.

As a side note, I'm really happy you guys have been commenting on my paid posts... I was kind of afraid to do them and clutter up the blog - but as you guys don't seem to mind them, I guess I was worried for nothing.

Spy Scribbler said...

There's lots of free templates available! I just sort of muddled through and tweaked them until they were what I want.

I have natashafondren.com, but I haven't built anything there. I do grab domain names I think to be important.

Merry Monteleone said...

Hi Spyscribbler,

If I do it myself, that'll be pretty much the route... keep fiddling til I get it right... I think I might enlist the help of a professional, though, so I don't completely screw it up.

Anonymous said...

Sadly, someone has already registered my name as a domain name.

I recently set up a WordPress blog in lieu of an author site. The templates are easy to customize and it allows you to have multiple pages. I was able to add an "About" page and a page with a brief overview of the book I'm getting ready to shop around.

I may need a full site at a later date but am satisfied for now.

Merry Monteleone said...

Kathleen,

I just stopped at your wordpress, actually I bookmarked it - it looks great! And Made You Look sounds like an awesome read!!! I love the title, too. Are you querying yet?

For the record... I like the British spelling so, you know, colour, favour, and add other 'u's' wherever you like:-)

Josephine Damian said...

Merry, I registered my domain name years ago cause I know there are people who make a living buying and selling these names of up and comers that they snatch up before someone gets big.

I'm shopping around for a web designer (no DIY website for me!) and have a couple picked out.

But I see no point in putting one up unless you have a book deal in the works (an agent alone does not guarantee a deal!).

Merry Monteleone said...

Hi Josie,

I think that's a good way to go, Josie - and I'm reticent to put anything up yet, myself, because to do it right I think it'll be costly and time consuming.

Jeesh, though, once you stop blogging completely how will we all know when you've got your first novel coming out? (see how I try to guilt you into staying on in the blog-o-sphere... terrible, I am)