RLM for Business/Info Site...

User 2439393 Photo


Registered User
2 posts

With this upcoming April Google Update that looks like it will punish all sites (in search rankings) that DONT conform to mobile / responsive layouts, it's time to start looking for a way to make a fairly large business/info site responsive.

Having previously used (to good effect) Coffee Cup products for other tasks, RLM seems like it could be a good choice, but, the FAQ page doesn't answer all the questions (unless I missed it) Hoping for some help before pulling the trigger on buying it and trying to basically re-make the whole site to beat the buzzer in April. Any help with these questions is most appreciated, we're really stressing this Google update.

The FAQ just says "It can export the files" when you're done making the site in RLM
What do you do with them after that? Can you just use a FTP to put them onto the domain/host you already own? Does uploading "The complete package" that RLM makes upon export (when you're finished doing all the work of creating the website) create the entirety of the new site / it is browse-able right away and needs no further work?

How does uploading & updating (the site occasionally gets a new page, or needs seasonal alterations for sales etc) work if you're using your own host, not CoffeeCup's host as suggested? We host with 1&1 Internet, and own our own domain name through them.

How do you handle adding Paypal buttons in RLM?
We have 4 PP buttons that we absolutely need on the site. Do you just paste in the code as normal?

Will it handle a form that is NOT made by Coffeecup webforms? We have a form on the site by Emailmeforms.com , that we continue using because it is free. (The form is placed on the site by pasting in the code emailmeforms.com gives)

The Coffeecup hosting for the RLM-made site- does this have ads on the material you upload as many free hosts do? We are a business site and need something with only our own content & no outside advertisements or links. We are not opposed to switching hosts if we can retain our own domain name, and have no ads on the site.

The site we're looking to have to remake with RLM is
www.mychiaseeds.com ,
which has a photo gallery, a video page, a sign up form, paypal buttons, a "thank you" re-direct page that's only accessible when someone buys the product through the paypal button, an introductory video on the main sales page (the index) that we'd really like to keep where it is/not have to delete it, articles with lots of text (its an educational site), a limited amount of Pinterest & Google+ buttons, and a Facebook Fan object at the bottom of the index.

It has no flash, no CSS (that we're aware of), no java, nothing fancy. It was created with Adobe Golive CS & is updated with that program about once per week according to any new content or changes that were needed.

For someone with about 0 experience at code (Copying and pasting & following instructions is about as far as we got) the "Drag & drop WYSIWYG" interface of RLM is attractive so far.

Based on the info here, does RLM look like the right choice for re-making this website & keeping it up?
Sorry for this long post, this Google update has everyone up in arms.
User 271657 Photo


Ambassador
3,816 posts

Hi Emily :)
RLM certainly makes developing the responsive framework an easier and quicker job, but it does require some CSS knowledge. You should understand classes, IDs, margins. paddings, floats (all basic CSS) to get going in RLM. After you have your framework set, you'll need to open it in the HTML Editor (or your editor of choice) to complete your site. You can add any Paypal buttons, forms, videos, and other scripts you need.
Sometime soon (don't know when), Coffee Cup will release Respnsive Site Designer, which will be an "all in one" responsive site builder. Everything will be done within RSD, no need to export code to the Editor. It should be much easier for non-coders to get going with.

For now, you could download a free trial of RLM. Open one of the sample layouts and see how it goes for you. There are quite a few help videos available (made by actual users) as well as lots of advice in this forum.

This will help you get up to speed with the HTML/CSS basics:
http://www.codecademy.com/en/tracks/htmlcss

Anything you need help with, just ask... there's all levels of users here, someone will have an answer.;)
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. (Douglas Adams)
https://www.callendales.com
User 2439393 Photo


Registered User
2 posts

Thanks for this response!
Sadly, I have 0 exp. with CSS, but that code academy link looks like it'll be helpful. I am not unwilling to learn new things, but with an April 21 announced by Google deadline, I'm not sure how fast it can all be learned.

Do you know if Adobe Golive CS (Its older/discontinued) is an appropriate HTML editor that could "Complete" the site that RLM did?
I wouldn't burden them by downloading the trial if my 1 and only web program I know how to use couldn't handle whatever RLM did make. I don't want to have to buy both RLM AND another thing just to finish off what it started just to fend off April doom's day. What other editors are recommended (If Golive CS wont work or is more difficult) to finish what RLM starts?

RSD is so exciting!
Is there anywhere I could go to find a clue on its release time? I would MUCH rather buy & use that, an all-in-1 to solve all the problems of this Google slap. I can also try to "stop-gap" the site before 21st, to make it "mobile Friendly"-er, while waiting on this RSD thing to come out. It sounds like what I really need to save the day for the business. If CoffeeCup gets RSD out anywhere near this update, they'll probably have a line of people showering them with money in a panic. (Either before or after google puts everyone's site down the rankings toilet for not being mobile friendly)

This tool:
http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot. … earch.html
The Mobile Friendly Test (you put your url in there) is what we were using to test the site. My main question is the GoLive one, & the timing for RSD since now we know the RLM needs some help finishing what it starts.
User 2088758 Photo


Senior Advisor
3,087 posts

RSD is so exciting!
Is there anywhere I could go to find a clue on its release time? I would MUCH rather buy & use that, an all-in-1 to solve all the problems of this Google slap. I can also try to "stop-gap" the site before 21st, to make it "mobile Friendly"-er, while waiting on this RSD thing to come out. It sounds like what I really need to save the day for the business. If CoffeeCup gets RSD out anywhere near this update, they'll probably have a line of people showering them with money in a panic. (Either before or after google puts everyone's site down the rankings toilet for not being mobile friendly)


Hahaha get in line Emily! We are all excited for this release. All I can say is Coffeecup is hard at work making this app perfect. That being said I would suggest what Paint Brush was telling you. Download the free trial and start playing with it if you like it buy it because anything you create in RLM will be able to be opened with RSD when it comes out, from what we have been told in the past.

Not only that but from what I understand from the whispers around the forums RSD will have the same controls as RLM so its best to get your feet wet and learn all the controls. Its a steep learning curve so if you get it down now you will be able to hit the ground running when it is finally released.

As for an HTML editor I would suggest http://www.coffeecup.com/html-editor/ it really is the best on the market.

Sadly, I have 0 exp. with CSS, but that code academy link looks like it'll be helpful. I am not unwilling to learn new things, but with an April 21 announced by Google deadline, I'm not sure how fast it can all be learned.


This would be a good idea to learn as it will be necessary to understand when web designing.

Hope this clears things up.
Taking over the world one website at a time!

Steve Kolish
www.misterwebguy.com

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL8qVv … ttneYaMSJA

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