My first attempt at web design!

Jingle · April 13th, 2008, 10:45 AM

I am a noobie looking for some help!

I have very little knowledge of web design but I am determined to give it a go! I studied a course about 6 years ago and learned a bit of HTML, however as I have not been using it I cannot remember half of what I learned.

I would like to create a web site for a friend who is starting a small business. The site needs to contain pictures of products and offer an online buying option.

I have been reading up a bit on HTML and CSS on the HTML dog site and some of it is coming back to me slowly, however has much changed in the past 6 years as there are some things which appear to be new or maybe I just cant remember?

I already have Dreamweaver and from what I have read then this should be okay to use? I am a bit unsure though as to what graphics program to use. I have not yet used any programs to design graphics, so I am looking for some advice in this area.

I hope to end up with a web site that doesnt look too amateurish. Is it possible for me to do this by just using HTML and CSS?

ricksteruk2008 · April 13th, 2008, 10:48 AM

Because you want the option of buying online, you need to decide on a few things. Does the site require a database, to store address details etc in. If so then php and MySql would be my choice to go with, or look at intergrating a shopping cart in to the main site.

It is possible to make the site using just html and CSS,

As for graphics im a fan of adobe fireworks and adobe photoshop.

Jingle · April 13th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Thanks for your reply,

I'm not sure if a database will be required, but I will find this out.

If I chose to go with the option of integrating a shopping cart into the main site then could I get away with just learning HTML and CSS just now?

I am hoping to keep things as simple as possible for this first attempt and then improve on it later if its successful!

ricksteruk2008 · April 13th, 2008, 11:02 AM

yes you can, you would then need to edit the CSS for the shopping cart and change the graphics that come pre-bundled to ones that you used in the site.

Jingle · April 13th, 2008, 11:13 AM

Sorry I'm easy lost at this stage lol ! what do you mean by changing the graphics to ones that I used in the site rather than pre-bundled? And is this just for the main page where the shopping cart is?

Blue Ice Web Design · April 20th, 2008, 06:11 PM

Yes fireworks and photoshop are very good programs that will allow you to create website friendly graphics.

Emzi · April 21st, 2008, 11:14 AM

Jingle, when you integrate a pre-built shopping cart onto the site it will come with its own style and images.

Rickster was saying that to make the pre-built shopping cart look a part of your site you will have to change the stylesheet and images that come with it to match. You could leave it as is but it's best to make it look a part of your site otherwise it could discourage sales.

Hope that makes sense

As far as graphic programs go, Photoshop is a great choice.