Website design assistance?

Question

I've got a problem - I need to design a website. It needs to be professional looking, informative, and above all, it needs to have a good visual design.

The problem is, although I'm quite good with computers, I am nearly inept at web design. I also lack creativity.

How can a build an attractive looking page without spending months learning how make sites look good?

BTW - I don't want to spend much/any money. I came across one thing, but it was 299 US .... no.

Answer 1

Hey honestly, I can hook you up with one for free. I have entirely too much time on my hands and I'm about to stab my foot out of boredom.

Send me an e-mail. or IM me on AIM
irlyamlucky

~Brendon
[e-mail]

Answer 2

"How can a build an attractive looking page without spending months learning how make sites look good?"
"I don't want to spend much/any money."

You're in a bit of jam. Professional, correct sites will take a bit of money. You get what you pay for. But you don't want to pay money, so that forces you to learn to do it yourself.

But you have no interest in spending time learning it yourself. You're going to compromise on something here: time, money, or quality.

People will suggest you use a website design tool like Dreamweaver or Frontpage. If you aren't capable of hand-coding, you will rely on the tool, which doesn't quite work. Will you get a website? Sure. Will it look professional. Nope.

Answer 3

Try this program: Nvu

http://www.nvu.com/index.php

It's similar to Dreamweaver and Frontpage but free. It's probably not as powerful but it is very strong for a free program.

Of course I would focus on the site being informative rather than visually stimulating but if you have the content already then Nvu is probably a good place to start if you're looking for something free.

Answer 4

Your probably going to either really love, or really hate me for this. If you are a member to the yahoo mail (which I assume you are) go to yahoo search engine and type is the search box "Yahoo Geocities" this is yahoo's free web building program, only offered to members of Yahoo. They have tonnes of templates there to choose from and many tutorials that will gide you through the program features. It is absolutely free! I built one there and have no clue how to build web sites. so it really is quite simple.

Answer 5

I've built several professional websites and the free tools online just keep geting better. Here's the best stuff out right now:

Microsoft Office Live - A free .com domain name with free hosting, email, support, and online web tools (create pages as easily as you do Word files). You can only get one .com address per credit card, and it charges your credit card one dollar to verify that it works, then reimburses you for that dollar.
Check it out here: http://www.officelive.com

Google PageCreator - A great, easy to use website creation tool. If you already own a domain name (.com, .net, etc.), sign up for Google Apps for Domains instead. They provide free hosting, email, and other services, but they do not register domain names or renew them for you (I use GoDaddy for that). If you want to see an example of a Google Apps for Domains website, check out http://www.ClassTopic.com.

Google PageCreator: http://pages.google.com
Google Apps for Domains: http://www.google.com/a

Answer 6

You might want to try here: http://www.oswd.org/

They have open source HTML and the CSS files. Some of them look pretty darn good and you shouldn't have a problem using one of these templates for a professionally looking site.

DianeD

Answer 7

So you want someone to build your site for you. . . but not charge anything/very little. . . Interesting situation you have there. . . . Sounds like you either need to take the time to learn, or pay out. . .