Festive Fiddlings!

[All Bear]

I've been dying to find out how to add snow to my website ... I spent yesterday afternoon unravelling the mystery and hey presto, snow! Mind you, it was so dizzying I've taken it off again (still don't really know how I got it there in the first place!) and settled for a more gentle starry theme for the start of my festive season!

I've given my website a (very amateurish) Christmas makeover and had some fun with it. It's highlighted all of my frustrations when it comes to web-building and as you will see, I have a great deal yet to learn, but it is in the spirit of Christmas fun! If you're feeling in need of a gentle build up to Christmas, please pop over to www.allbear.co.uk (http://www.allbear.co.uk) for a little peek!:6013:

[Ruth]

Hey Paula the website looks Grrr-eat :) I'm afraid I am a poor little saddo with a horrid tacky cheap (as in free :rolleyes: )scrolly yucky site .As I don't sell lots of bears- although I do use eBay on and off- I can't justify a large outlay for a decent one .Has anyone any ideas on this ?:6044: To add stuff , EVERY file has to come off and be uploaded again singly ,so they're not really giving you much :mad: Believe me my poor husband has done wonders (which took hours and hours ) How worthwhile are websites for amateurs ? What experiences have you all had with them ?
Ruth -frustrated by this one :(

[All Bear]

Glad you enjoyed it Ruth! :)

As regards websites, in this day and age I'm certain I wouldn't be able to stay in business for very long without mine, so that makes it well worth the monthly investment of a little over £20, to have it professionally hosted as far as I am concerned.

I think the trick with websites is to constantly update them and do as much as you can to keep your profile high and to direct collectors to them. They offer such a terrific opportunity to show your full catalogue ... much more effective than mailshots and brochures.

I try to keep mine simple enough to navigate and hope that the pics are a good size to keep collectors interested. I've also tried to develop the site to make it interesting for people to return to by including a page about me, where I live, special bears ... that kind of thing. I'm always trying to think of new ways to keep it interesting and attractive!

Having to take down whole files to reupload new information sounds nightmarish! My website was originally built to my specification in Dreamweaver, which is a programme that allows me to maintain it very simply. I can change photos, backgrounds, text, links .. basically whatever I like, with very little effort involved.

[Ruth]

I think I might have no choice but to upgrade :rolleyes: At the moment I'm kinda hoping my hubby's skills with his camera make up for the "pants-y-ness" a bit :6039: I suppose I'm relying on the showcasing side most , thanks Paula.

By the way ,Shelly you're an expert on rabbits I've only just noticed this smilie :6083: Oooeerrr - should we all be scared ??? :confused:
Ruth

[Melanie Jayne]

Hi Ruth

I use yahoo and it costs very little to host each month and with this there is a free website builder that you can down load and use. I have found it very easy to use and you have the option to use one of their templates or make your own. It is really easy, but if you ever want to give it a go I would have a chat with Penny too (gotobedbears) as she does a lot of graphic work and knows a thing or two about websites

The thing I love about my website is that I have complete control over it and I can change it whenever I get fed up of it, loke Paula I would not be without it


oooooooooooooooops nearly forgot Paula I love the Christmas backgrounds you have used