Website design frustration!!

[jamwatn]

Hi!

Wasn't really sure where to post this thread, but I'm kind of looking for some advice.

From a young age I have been pretty OK at HTML, however the internet has moved on and now websites are full of dynamic content as everyone knows!! Since then, I've messed about with Wordpress and had a couple of blog sites which are now gone.

Anyway, I have what I think is a good idea for a website and I really don't know where to start! I won't give away the idea but it's along the lines of Tripadvisor.com where I will require users to write reviews and build a community.

So NOTHING like I've ever designed before and of course nothing like easily acquired Blog sites. I feel slightly thick now because I don't know what to start learning or even what to use?

If I have users then I need some sort of system to hold the user's data but only simple things like their profile or photo.

So any ideas where to start? I'd be ok if there was a theme on Drupal or Wordpress I could begin with but Im just so stuck and haven't got anyone who can teach me!!

Hope someone can help!!!

[elsiegee40]

Moved to correct forum

[jamwatn]

Aha yes thanks better!!!!

[Bradlys]

It would be good to see what you've done in the past and learn from there.

I use Wordpress as a basis for EVERYTHING it's great because you can use it's structure and custom php in pages etc.

 

Having a lack of description makes it hard to help you, However what you're asking sounds like a custom script. How much PHP do you know? ASP? .Net?

[jamwatn]

Well the websites don't exist anymore. They were pretty much simple WordPress blogs which come ready set up.

 

It's hard to describe what I'm asking for really! The only php I know was from code academy which is very little and basic.

Maybe I need the total basics then?

How do I start making a review/rating site with pretty much all user content!?

[Bradlys]

Well the websites don't exist anymore. They were pretty much simple WordPress blogs which come ready set up.

 

It's hard to describe what I'm asking for really! The only php I know was from code academy which is very little and basic.

Maybe I need the total basics then?

How do I start making a review/rating site with pretty much all user content!?

 

If you know a bit of PHP start with that

 

You need

 

• A database (MYSQL is easiest to learn imo)
  
• A web host (duhhh )
  
• A domain (If you want other people to find it)
  

 

Next up you'l want to look into MYSQLI for database connections and how to setup tables etc, creating entries such as user accounts and sending information back and forth. You will probably want some kind of encryption or anti-injection. So have a look at mysqli escape for html fields.

 

I would suggest going on places like stack overflow if you have questions but you have to have shown some initiative and understanding

 

Best of luck

[edutech4schools]

Also have a look at Google Sites, its free and ready to go with a gmail account. I have some schools using this and know of some companies using it. Can be auto themed etc but you do have ability to code stuff under the hood if you need.

[NotSoFast]

If you want to go down the PHP route you could do worse than Larry Ullman 's PHP and MySQL book. I learnt so much from that as someone who knew very little before reading it. As an example, one of the things he takes you through is setting up a user database for a site, which could form part of the basis for what you want to do.

[jamwatn]

These are brilliant responses thanks! It's silly of me to start on such an ambitious project without having learnt the basics..but I guess I like a challenge!

[Bradlys]

These are brilliant responses thanks! It's silly of me to start on such an ambitious project without having learnt the basics..but I guess I like a challenge!

To be fair, that's how I learnt

[creese]

I use Wordpress an have several live sites. My next one is an auction site.

 

Here is a Plugin for Wordpress to build a review site, there may be others.

[MattDLEA]

@Bradley @creese Dont want to hijack the tread but do you know any good resources for the back-end of Wordpress, Or to be more specific how to make better sites with it.

I am happy getting a theme close to what I want it to be and then modifying it.

But not sure how you would go about making a theme from scratch.

 

cheers

[creese]

I have never made a theme from scratch, maybe that's something for the future.

 

Try this I get some good ideas from here, otherwise I have joined some forums on LinkeIn.

[creese]

Plugins I recommend are SEO by Yoast, once the site is running.

 

Better WP Security, this is essential to me. IWP client, if you are hosting more than one site.

[MattDLEA]

@jamwatn Have a look at MVC4 in .net as an alternative but you will need windows hosting

 

Cheers for the WP stuff

[creese]

I can also recommend Vidahost for hosting. They are very helpful and cheap, with cpanel support.

[ass17]

As a host justhost.com is cheap for up to the first 4 years with unlimited space, databases, bandwidth, cpanel, auto setup of Wordpress etc...

[MordyT]

As a host justhost.com is cheap for up to the first 4 years with unlimited space, databases, bandwidth, cpanel, auto setup of Wordpress etc...

 

I can't caution people away from Justhost fast enough. Nothing but grief.

[ass17]

I've got 7 sites on justhost, never had an issue with them. It's like with any company, they all will have disgruntled customers, they can't please everyone.

[Bradlys]

I can also recommend Vidahost for hosting. They are very helpful and cheap, with cpanel support.

I can vouch for Vida, lovely guys

[ass17]

Vids are good also as well as daily. My personal gripe with one company is 123reg, awful everything.

[jamwatn]

What about 1 and 1? I've already been messing around with a Virtual Server using their services which seems very quick so a webhost would be good too surely?

Also that Reviews plugin looks great, except from the fact anyone can leave a plugin. I'd be looking to have people sign up etc and all of the reviews will need to be public not written by myself.

Edited February 11, 2014 by jamwatn

[MattDLEA]

Cant tell if serious or sarcastic

 

What about 1 and 1? I've already been messing around with a Virtual Server using their services which seems very quick so a webhost would be good too surely?

Also that Reviews plugin looks great, except from the fact anyone can leave a plugin. I'd be looking to have people sign up etc and all of the reviews will need to be public not written by myself.

 

Vidahost everytime for me you can get support anytime from them which is a bonus. Never had a problem with them.

Have heard stories about 1 and 1 which would mean i wouldnt touch them with a barge poll

[Bradlys]

What about 1 and 1? I've already been messing around with a Virtual Server using their services which seems very quick so a webhost would be good too surely?

Also that Reviews plugin looks great, except from the fact anyone can leave a plugin. I'd be looking to have people sign up etc and all of the reviews will need to be public not written by myself.

Been with 1 & 1 personally with court threats etc. Tried telling me I was still paying for a product which I cancelled a month after purchasing... this was 4 years later...

 

I also hated their service and customer support.

[creese]

Try leaving 1&1, they get very unhelpful.