I've been at it since the early 90s. I'll give you my two cents.

Dancing graphics were cool then, not now. Stay away from programs like MS Frontpage and Publisher. A WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) program will get you a simple page but won't teach you anything when you need to start putting in your codes and scripts for Paypal and shopping carts. A MS program dumps in way too much code and it does not look the same across all web browsers. They were not originally designed for public web pages. They were originally designed to publish documents and content on internal Microsoft networks. They just tried to make a few changes and pass them off as public web page editors. I'm surprised Frontpage still exists at this point.

There are lots of sites to easily build pages. You might want to check out Godaddy.com. That's the most reasonable I've found as far as reliable hosting cost, up time, support, domain name prices, and email integration.

I use Dreamweaver with an older version of Homesite as an HTML editor. There are lots of free editors out there. You will need an easy to use graphics program also. Photoshop is overkill for simple web sites. Again there's other good free graphics programs out there.

Time is the only thing that holds me back. I would like to go back and redesign some of my older sites like my home page and the Supreme Instruments site but I'm so busy with newer sites the old ones get put on the back burner. They work for what they were intended for and people seem to like them.

I have found the most important things to remember are:
1. have good content (most important along with #2)
2. make it easy to navigate
3. make sure it works correctly in all major web browsers (IE is only half)
4. have top search engine placement (the hardest - You will find search engine placement is an art as much as a skill)

If you have all of these, all the slick graphics and money in the world someone else dumps into their site means little or nothing.
If you want to make a few dollars and your going to pay someone else to do it for you forget it. The web is a great equalizer if used properly but it takes time.

Okay, maybe this was three cents...

My website is entirely built using my limited knowledge of basic HTML code in a text editor.

As I mostly use a Mac (I'm not against using Windows), I've used Textedit or Taco. I've discovered that iWeb creates the most bloated overstuffed webpages I've ever seen! Disgusting!

I've heard good things about Mozilla's Seamonkey HTML editing feature. Has anyone had experience with it?

-Steve

Today, adding shopping carts is easy, regardless of the type of editor you use. Many are available from the user Cpanel.

I'd read the GoDaddy fine print and be very careful about using them (I won't). They are very popular though.

I've been using them for many years and never had a problem. They all have fine print. Over the past 20 years or so they are about the most reliable of all the hosting companies I've used. When I've had questions I've found their support to be the best. Never had a problem getting in touch with them the first time with little or no wait.

Glad you're happy with them, Steve.

You said it.

And if I get a '404 page not found' I'm out of there and I'm not coming back.

Here's a couple I've done.

http://www.PhonoJack.com

http://www.foedison.org

These are graphics intensive, if you don't have a later generation PC/software or opt not to use a broadband connection, you won't get to see what most others see. Have fun.

Here's mine

Nice and simple - and I'm happy with it

http://www.dragonchat.net/

Great if you like the old ZX Spectrum, a 1982 vintage 8 bit British home computer. I have a few self-written tutorials up there too, dealing with stuff like resistors, capacitors etc. Nothing fancy, just functional

All done in Frontpage and OpenOffice.

Hello Jack that is a great site about edison he is one of my role models

Richard

Not a good idea if you are running a business site, however fine for a hobby site...although music isn't acceptable in either case.

I'd rather appeal to those that can afford a later generation PC and broadband. Why reduce the value of a website for those that don't want to pay or choose not to pay for the latest generation?

Why is music not acceptable in either case? Imagine watching a movie with no audio?

That line of thinking restricts your customer base. Lots of people have dial ups and some only text browsers. Again, for a hobby site the options are wide open, but for SEO of a business site simpler is best. You don't want to turn off your visitors and have them all leave from the index page. Some of those who "think" they need real fancy sites have a home page that gives an option of dial up or broad band.

Music is not good for a business site because it slows the site down, and is annoying to most. What about if the music is the type a visitor hates ?

SEO is mostly common sense and getting the targeted visitor to buy your product. You don't want visitors to say "what a great website," you want them to praise the products.

I mention all this to help the OP, since he seemed to need basic info.

I agree. If you are in the entertainment business or trying to sell a movie then flash, music, etc. might be OK but if your looking to extend your customer base and reach as many as possible, less is more. They need to find the info quickly and see and order the product with the least amount of downloading. The site still should look professional but large graphics files and other types of files that increase downloading time can be a real deterrent to gaining new customers. If it's a hobby site do whatever you feel like.

I am considering having my own website, but have no time or knowledge of the process. I am considering setting up a simple website using the hosting firm in the link below. The cost is $15 per month for a starter store, which, they state, can easily be set up.

For someone without knowledge/experience/time, is this a decent route to take?

http://go.magento.com/tour/

Never heard of them. $15 a month for a small website sounds high to me. Check http://www.downtownhost.com
When you sign up for hosting there are templates in the user control panel for setting up a site as well as many other add ons, such as WordPress, shopping carts, forums, etc....all free. I think many other hosts offer the same thing. Check their site and they usually have a discount code to get a discount. FYI

Great. I will continue shopping. I may be retired in 1-2 years and am looking forward to having my own website. I will have the extra time.

Depending on your aptitude and skill set, web site design can be a lot of fun....especially with the modern editors. Lots of satisfaction is designing it and see it coming to life

Good Luck !

I did mine over the last 10 years or so... An ongoing project. All done with basic HTML and a text editor. I try to keep it simple so most can be viewed using any reasonable web connection. Actually it is several topics under one website, pick what interests you from the signpost on the main page.

And I agree regarding hosting. Forget the freebies, buy your domain and hosting service. I use Start Logic. Nice control panel, plenty of support, and freedom from popups and other ads

www.jimsdestinations.com

Hello Guys,
Thanks for all the great input

I built the Radio Attic from scratch, using static HTML and Microsoft FrontPage, back in 1996. Some years later, I paid a friend at work to re-do the site using a MySQL database and PHP scripting. I played with the code for a while and taught myself how to do most of it myself. I started experimenting with the Attic code and did several enhancements and upgrades. I built the Archives sites from scratch with no help; it uses a MySQL database also.

I am still using FrontPage(2002), so I'm a dinosaur. But it is still IMO the easiest way to synchronize new pages (why why can't FileZilla do that?) and maintain HTML hyperlinks. Sadly it does not make PHP coding any easier, but it still works, even with Windows7. Since the Attic is so heavily dependent on PHP, I find myself using less and less of the WYSIWYG text editing features of the software. But it's like an old friend and I hate to let it go.

I've done a few shopping cart web sites for my wife's small business, again with MySQL and PHP