Question: “I’m considering building my own website but have limited design experience. I need a platform that’s either free or very affordable. I’ve started with GoDaddy’s WebsiteTonight but am considering their WordPress option. What do you recommend?”
Answer: GoDaddy’s WebsiteTonight is user-friendly but quite restrictive. It limits the ability to customize your site’s visual appearance and layout, as edits can only be made within predetermined blocks. This can cause inconsistencies in font styles and sizes, and the limited SEO settings apply broadly, diminishing your website’s potential for high search rankings. Additionally, you’re unable to add non-WebsiteTonight pages or databases, restricting functionality and expansion. My advice? It’s best to explore other options.
GoDaddy also offers WordPress hosting, which automates the setup process for WordPress, a more dynamic and versatile platform. If you’re leaning towards WordPress, contact GoDaddy’s support to switch your existing service to WordPress hosting. Ensure your domain is linked to the new account, either by changing the name servers or adding an “A Record.” GoDaddy’s team can guide you through this process, but you’ll need your account PIN when you call.
WordPress is fairly straightforward for simpler blogs or websites, yet it can be challenging for more complex projects without a good understanding of its features and customization options. While there are numerous commercial WordPress themes available, they often require considerable tweaking and customization. For those willing to dive deeper, investing in a WordPress guide or leveraging online resources could be beneficial, although be mindful that information may become outdated due to frequent updates. Additionally, customizing themes deeply might necessitate knowledge of PHP and XHTML, as well as graphic editing skills.
When selecting a WordPress theme, choose one that matches your needs out of the box. Verify that it supports the features you need, like custom sidebars, and evaluate it thoroughly through a live demo. Check for cross-browser compatibility and ensure the design fits your branding, especially the logo. Reading theme reviews can offer valuable insights into its functionality and potential issues.
In summary, moving from WebsiteTonight to WordPress with GoDaddy might be a sound option. It provides more flexibility and customization capabilities, essential for a more professional and functional website. Just be prepared for a learning curve if you’re aiming for a complex site.
