Updating a website

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OnceBitten

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#205195 2-Nov-2016 14:11

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place, but I couldn't see a category that fitted what I want to say

My band has a website that needs to be updated / improved, but the IT man that does it charges an arm and a leg just to change 1 or 2 things on the website according to our singer, so the website hasn’t been updated for some months.

I’d like to update it and put some more recent photos on it and some links to video clips on youtube.

I’d also like to add a ‘calendar page’ so people can see where we are playing and also see what dates we are booked out, but apparently the man who did the website says he can’t do that.

I did a website for my old band a few years ago using online templates from free webs.com from memory and I was able to add as many pages as possible (including a calendar), so I don’t understand why the IT man says he can’t do it.

I don’t know how much a web designer would charge to make some changes, but singer said last year they changed 2 things on the website and were charged $95 for about 10 minutes work (they did the changes while on the phone to the singer)

Unfortunately I don’t have any HTML skills, so I’m unsure how technical the work involved is.

Can someone let me know what it would cost to make the following changes to a website?

I would ideally like to add a calendar page, and an enquiry page (where people can make an enquiry about booking the band and that sends an e-mail to the singer) as well as update the photos and add a couple of youtube links in

Thanks in advance

Dynamic

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#1662716 2-Nov-2016 14:16

What's the web site? We can have a look and see the technology it is based on to better advise you.

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Dynamic

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#1662742 2-Nov-2016 15:02

The OP sent me a PM with the address and I've had a quick look. Developed with Adobe Muse so there is no CMS to allow the end-user to do little updates themselves.

In all honesty @OnceBitten I would suggest you have a crack at using Weebly or Wix or another DIY web site building facility driven by templates and aimed at non-technical people. The monthly charges are a little higher but being able to make changes yourself will more than make up for that. There will be options for a calendar of some sort.

http://au.pcmag.com/web-site-hosting-services-products/30863/guide/the-best-website-builders-for-2016

Another option is to have someone put together a web site for you based on WordPress or Joomla or a similar Content Management System (CMS). Once they have the structure in place and basic placeholders for the content, you can go in and edit the text, replace photos, etc. There will be plugins for calendars. This option would involve $500-$5000 for a professional to do the initial setup.

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xpd

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#1662746 2-Nov-2016 15:16

Wordpress is nice and easy for end users to post new articles etc, it is just the initial setup that can be a bit daunting if you dont know anything about SQL/PHP/Hosting in general. But a lot of web hosts take care of that for you anyway these days, so all you need to do is add content and away you go.

Ive been running Wordpress on and off for years now, and love it.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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mattwnz

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#1662771 2-Nov-2016 15:20

OnceBitten:

Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place, but I couldn't see a category that fitted what I want to say

My band has a website that needs to be updated / improved, but the IT man that does it charges an arm and a leg just to change 1 or 2 things on the website according to our singer, so the website hasn’t been updated for some months.

I’d like to update it and put some more recent photos on it and some links to video clips on youtube.

I’d also like to add a ‘calendar page’ so people can see where we are playing and also see what dates we are booked out, but apparently the man who did the website says he can’t do that.

I did a website for my old band a few years ago using online templates from free webs.com from memory and I was able to add as many pages as possible (including a calendar), so I don’t understand why the IT man says he can’t do it.

I don’t know how much a web designer would charge to make some changes, but singer said last year they changed 2 things on the website and were charged $95 for about 10 minutes work (they did the changes while on the phone to the singer)

Unfortunately I don’t have any HTML skills, so I’m unsure how technical the work involved is.

Can someone let me know what it would cost to make the following changes to a website?

I would ideally like to add a calendar page, and an enquiry page (where people can make an enquiry about booking the band and that sends an e-mail to the singer) as well as update the photos and add a couple of youtube links in

Thanks in advance

Are you sure it was just 10 minutes of work? You can question the bill if that is the case, and they didn't provide you with an initial estimate or quote, as I believe when a price isn't given, the price has to be a reasonable figure based on what other companies charge for the same work.

Plenty of companies will setup a website for you, and many have website builders which allow you to update content yourself. Or you can go the rented website route.

Dynamic

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#1662773 2-Nov-2016 15:23

Just a quick extra note... Wix or Weebly web sites are not portable in my experience.... once you've created the site you are locked into them until you create a new site somewhere else. A WordPress web site can be backed up, exported, and restored/imported to a new web site hosting company without too much trouble. With WordPress you can apply a new 'theme' (look and feel) to the site pretty easily while keeping the content.

WordPress sites do need to be kept up to date for security reasons, and only popular plugins should be used (especially paid plugins) as they are the ones most likely to be updated by their creator. We have assisted with a few WordPress sites that have been compromised and it turns out they are running an old version with a known security flaw. I think most WordPress installations allow you to enable auto-updates, and you just have to put up with this occasionally breaking something. @xpd may like to comment on that with his deeper experience.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
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mattwnz

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#1662779 2-Nov-2016 15:31

Dynamic:

Just a quick extra note... Wix or Weebly web sites are not portable in my experience.... once you've created the site you are locked into them until you create a new site somewhere else. A WordPress web site can be backed up, exported, and restored/imported to a new web site hosting company without too much trouble. With WordPress you can apply a new 'theme' (look and feel) to the site pretty easily while keeping the content.

WordPress sites do need to be kept up to date for security reasons, and only popular plugins should be used (especially paid plugins) as they are the ones most likely to be updated by their creator. We have assisted with a few WordPress sites that have been compromised and it turns out they are running an old version with a known security flaw. I think most WordPress installations allow you to enable auto-updates, and you just have to put up with this occasionally breaking something. @xpd may like to comment on that with his deeper experience.

Excellent points. That is why I call those non wordpress types of site 'rented websites'. The other option the OP has, but does require a bit of HTML knowledge is to by a static theme from themeforest, and run it as a static site. There are some really cool themes out there. Although wordpress is probably easier.

xpd

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#1662810 2-Nov-2016 16:09

Yes, Wordpress can be setup now for auto updates for the core system itself, plugins generally need manual update (usually just clicking Update).

Ive only ever had one issue with Wordpressl, which was some injected code from a dodgy plugin I used.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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mattwnz

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#1662814 2-Nov-2016 16:13

The autoupdate will only update the patches eg from 3.5.1 - 3.5.2 . But when Wordpress updates a new version number, eg from 3.5 - 3.6, the autoupdate stops. It recommends doing a full backup before doing a full version update. Wordpress releases new full versions about every 6 months, so the autoupdates don't last very long.

I have only had a problem with injected code from a theme that used a slider. Generally themes are more difficult to update. The main problem I find with wordpress is plugin compatibility when new versions are released, and plugins just breaking.

xpd

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#1662821 2-Nov-2016 16:26

For what the OP has listed what he wants to do, basic WP with a gallery plugin for photos should be fine. YouTube videos you can embed easily into posts/pages.

Ive just given my site a re-launch, so not much content there, but probably took 30mins to get everything setup inc the install. Take a look, its basic but should give you a rough idea of whats possible - http://www.xpd.co.nz/

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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timmmay

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#1662837 2-Nov-2016 16:46

Wordpress would work, but for this I'd look at SquareSpace, who have musician specific templates. Price around US$10/month and it's super easy to use to do basic stuff. Customisation requires CSS work and it can be a bit fiddly, but it's not difficult.