I have a website that I am needing to recreate. I hoped I would just be able to have it redirected from a new host, but Microsoft Office Live makes that VERY difficult. So...I am forced to recreate. UGH!!

I've tried different programs, several templates, and NONE compared to what I already have.

There are some features that I do NOT want to give up. The main one being LARGE/CLEAR pictures. Can CoffeeCup give me that?

I also like the slide-show feature, and being able to add YouTube video (if I want).

Could you look at my current site and tell me if CoffeCup can do what I have already done using the Microsoft Tool Bar? www.pointheavenwardsiamese.com (or http://pointheavenwardsiamese.com/default.aspx)

I hate to buy a program when it will not do/offer me what I currently have. Also would appreciate advice on what package I should get to do another site like the one I have.

Thank you so much for your time and help.

Have a GOOD day everyone!

Melody

Hiya Melody,

I guess the first question to be asked is if you are a coder or if you are needing to do this with a visual editor rather than writing code? Those are the 2 main methods to consider when trying to choose the type of program to use no matter where you buy it from.

Your site can be redone either way which is a good thing, and since you have to pretty much start over from scratch and recreate it, that gives you much more advantage if you are a visual editing type of person because VSD doesn't have the ability to import current sites, you have to start from the beginning with that program.

If you are a coder then the HTML Editor would be your tool of choice from CC and I can definitely tell you you can do anything with that.

The biggest issue is your knowledge. Most any tool can do what your site does, the issue is whether "you" know how to do it or can do it. The tools here at CoffeeCup can definitely do that. Visual Site Designer (VSD) would be a visual designer that although can utilize code is mostly a drag and drop type of editor. HTML Editor is totally code based with some great features, fully capable and ready for pretty much anything you can do with code.

Picking up new software tools is always a learning experience, but I can guarantee that no matter which one you are looking to use there is a lot of help here on the forums for learning it and trouble shooting your site as you build it.

Other than that the tools here are numerous from Calendar, Form and Photo Gallery makers, to Music and Video players and more. I would think you can find what you need here pretty easily. Good luck on your venture!

I have very little knowledge of HTML coding. I understand a bit...but am not comfortable with using that to create with. I would have to do it visually.

Does CoffeeCup offer page layout options? (That is a neat feature that Microsoft Office Live offers.) Then you just fill in the space as you wish.

Thank you so much for your reply. Thank you.

Melody

Having a side menu is also something I want to keep (as I have several pages). I saw this on your LB Websites site Jo Ann.

It would be a lot easier if there were templates to use...but the ones offered aren't what I'm looking for.

I hoped to just be able to choose/do the colors I wanted, copy and paste text (with hyperlinks attached), and add all my pictures back. Keeping the pages the same. It sounds easy, but not all programs offer that simplicity.

The only thing I thought maybe to change and that is my banner. Having a full (width) sky shot with my site name in it.

Melody

JoAnn as usual gives out about the best advice in here you can get, especially if you are a coder !

However if you are not, and you want to replicate that site almost identical in VSD, from my experience with VSD (i don't do code) its going to be a doddle

OH, and you can host it free on CC SDRIVE so don't go buying into a hosting account elsewhere, because you won't need it. and on SDRIVE you wont have to learn FTP (if you don't know what FTP is don't worry) but you would be building your site on your pc/laptop offline before you upload it to CC server using inbuilt FTP

See I just don't know very much...about a lot of things...but the technical things...that just leaves my head spinning.

You shared on hosting it free here on CC...is there a link so I can read on that? I will be needing a host. (The other two that I tried were not able to help me with my current site, and I was not able to create a site (using their templates or WordPress) that matched the quality of my current one. So I had to cancel with both.)

Please share where I need to go to read on CC hosting...I'd sure appreciate it.

And nope! Don't know what FTP is.

Have a GREAT day!!

Melody

Have a look at this http://www.coffeecup.com/sdrive/

FTP is File transfer protocol (gobbledeegoop for) What you need to publish send the website from your pc to the hosting company (or free sdrive hosting)

If it makes you feel better 3 years ago i could not switch on a pc, now i have written about 12 websites all with VSD

Thanks!!!

Will CC allow me to keep my large clear pictures?

I tried replicating that feature on another program and they came out small and looking like they were painted instead of actual photos?

Understand about not being any where near "techi" status...I'd like to learn a few things as it can be handy. I thoroughly enjoyed creating my current site (which was done over 5 years ago and I just edit and update it now) but not all programs are that simple. Don't have the handy tool bar...where just clicking on things and fooling around a bit...you can learn it's use.

I've been watching LOTS of YouTube videos for different programs. Trying to learn...trying to understand. I was pointed over to CC by the first of my recent hosing companies as it has the easy Visual Site Design program he thought I would benefit from.

Twelve sites huh? Goodness...I'll be GLAD to just get my ONE done.

It's nothing fancy...but serves it's purpose...and I'm happy with it.

I've got until April 30th to get my new one done as the other one disappears after that date (and there'll be no site at all).

Microsoft Office Live Small Business wants all their customers to upgrade to their new version of Microsoft 365. Hosting will go from $14.95 a year to $6.95 a month. Thought since I have to move my current site (recreating it to the newer version) I would look around for another host company. One that was (maybe) cheaper. AND...to have that NICE convenience...of having a host company that you could contact by phone/chat/email and they be in America. Knowing the language, able to understand, and get back with you in a good timely manner. (MOL only does email, and they are overseas...India.)

It been a LONG and STRESSFUL ordeal. I've worked on it for almost a month and am NOT ONE STEP CLOSER then I was when I began.

I need my website!! It's that simple. But creating one and getting another all set up and ready to go...has been anything BUT.

I'm hoping CC is the answer to my need.

Thank you for your time.

Melody

I hate to say thats NOT a lot of time, takes most people a month or two of spare time to get to grips with any new tool, but we will all guide you as best we can

You are going to need to learn two tools, separate one for you photo galleries so you can get those nice pictures you want, have a look at my signature Sarahphotographer portfolio tab for examples.

You will have one stumbling block which gets almost everyone, your present url , getting it to display your sdrive website might cause some hair loss BUT if your crafty, buy a new extension of it from CC) at the outset, ie .net or .info or .us it will save you all the hair loss, and when your up and running we can get your .com working as well.

Worth while to download a FREE TRIAL have a play, and ask questions in here as you go, and you can use the trial work in your purchased version so nothing will be lost

If you get stuck i think i can make that template in an hour or two for you, but DIY is part of the fun of it, and you will hopefully find it FUN FUN FUN

I have to go do some tasks now, so hopefully one of the other CC users will help some more.

Thank you so very much!!!

Appreciate you visiting with me...helping me.

Melody