Web Sites? at DVinfo.net

Marion Abrams · December 8th, 2008, 05:25 PM

I know many photographers use BluDomain, is there anything similar that has prebuilt templates for video companies?

Do you design your own sites? Hire a designer? Use another template based system?

Thanks,

Marion

Jason Robinson · December 9th, 2008, 01:42 AM

I don't design my own, but part of my business is implementing open source CMS packages for clients, so that is what I use for mine. No CSS skills needed. I may eventually buy a template for my CMS so that I can get rid of the "designed by" references. But the CMS model is insanely flexible (though it lacks ALL of the flashy artistic flair of StillMotion or even some of the other companies here in my city).

Josh Chesarek · December 9th, 2008, 05:59 AM

I use Wordpress and its template system @ Simple Thought Productions

I have been trying to get better at template coding by modifying the theme I use and hope to eventually write my own. If you are good at the graphics side and CSS you can make a wordpress (and most other blogs/cms) look like anything you want. When talking to theme authors the most common thing I realize is that most people do want their blog to look like a blog so they stick to the same overall formula. Or you can always commision a custom theme for exactly what you want :)

Art Varga · December 9th, 2008, 07:27 AM

I use Wordpress via my Yahoo web hosting package. I built 90% on my on with limited skills then hired a Wordpress expert I found on Craigslist to do the fine tuning.

Art

vargaproductions.com

Peter Dunphy · December 9th, 2008, 08:23 AM

I've just taught myself Dreamweaver and CSS style sheets (basics) to build my own website. It's quite satisfying doing it on your own but, unless you're a really quick learner, it might take you a few weeks to get the hang of. That's how long it has taken me anyway. If you wish to learn Dreamweaver, I highly suggest the tutorials at lynda.com.

Richard Wakefield · December 9th, 2008, 08:35 AM

Like Peter, I decided one day that I would put the time in myself and design my own website using Dreamweaver. Cheaper than getting a web designer in, and def. feels more satisfying than relying on a template

plus i can adapt the header graphic now it's xmas: FX Films - Professional Wedding & Corporate Videos (Surrey, Hampshire, Middlesex, London) :)

John Moon · December 9th, 2008, 12:24 PM

You might take a look at this: Showit Sites - Powerfully Simple Website Creation Photographer David Jay develped this.

Jason Robinson · December 10th, 2008, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Moon

You might take a look at this: Showit Sites - Powerfully Simple Website Creation Photographer David Jay develped this.

Ouch. $25 / month? I'll get you a site and hosting on my server for 1/2 that (of course it wouldn't be a fancy flash site).

Miraj A. Berry · December 10th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Wakefield

Like Peter, I decided one day that I would put the time in myself and design my own website using Dreamweaver. Cheaper than getting a web designer in, and def. feels more satisfying than relying on a template

plus i can adapt the header graphic now it's xmas: FX Films - Professional Wedding & Corporate Videos (Surrey, Hampshire, Middlesex, London) :)

We did the same thing, + "Dreamweaver for Dummies."

I LOVE the frost and the Santa hat, though! Very cute! I wish I possessed your mad skillz ;)

Brian Mercer · December 10th, 2008, 07:58 PM

Marion,

We adapted a BluDomain site for the videography business. We asked a good photography friend for some great pics and purchased the add-on video portion for the site.

Its worked flawlessly for us.

Curtis Edwards · December 10th, 2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marion Abrams

I know many photographers use BluDomain, is there anything similar that has prebuilt templates for video companies?

Do you design your own sites? Hire a designer? Use another template based system?

Thanks,

Marion

I know a lot of photographers use this site and I understand they now do video, beyond that I haven't checked it out.

SmugMug Photo Sharing. Your photos look better here.

December 8th, 2008, 05:25 PM	#1
Marion Abrams Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 72	Web Sites? I know many photographers use BluDomain, is there anything similar that has prebuilt templates for video companies? Do you design your own sites? Hire a designer? Use another template based system? Thanks, Marion __________________ Tweed River Video - fine wedding films hand made in Vermont www.Tweedrivervideo.com Madmotion, llc - broadcast and commercial production www.madmotion.com

December 9th, 2008, 05:59 AM	#3
Josh Chesarek Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Winter Park, FL Posts: 978	I use Wordpress and its template system @ Simple Thought Productions I have been trying to get better at template coding by modifying the theme I use and hope to eventually write my own. If you are good at the graphics side and CSS you can make a wordpress (and most other blogs/cms) look like anything you want. When talking to theme authors the most common thing I realize is that most people do want their blog to look like a blog so they stick to the same overall formula. Or you can always commision a custom theme for exactly what you want :) __________________ Simple Thought Productions - Life @ 30,000 Words per second

December 9th, 2008, 12:24 PM	#7
John Moon Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 446	You might take a look at this: Showit Sites - Powerfully Simple Website Creation Photographer David Jay develped this. __________________ John J. Moon www.northernlightfilmworks.com - Event DV Top 25 Recipient

December 9th, 2008, 01:42 AM	#2
Jason Robinson Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,997	I don't design my own, but part of my business is implementing open source CMS packages for clients, so that is what I use for mine. No CSS skills needed. I may eventually buy a template for my CMS so that I can get rid of the "designed by" references. But the CMS model is insanely flexible (though it lacks ALL of the flashy artistic flair of StillMotion or even some of the other companies here in my city).

December 9th, 2008, 07:27 AM	#4
Art Varga Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 552	I use Wordpress via my Yahoo web hosting package. I built 90% on my on with limited skills then hired a Wordpress expert I found on Craigslist to do the fine tuning. Art vargaproductions.com

December 9th, 2008, 08:23 AM	#5
Peter Dunphy Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Belfast Northern Ireland Posts: 261	I've just taught myself Dreamweaver and CSS style sheets (basics) to build my own website. It's quite satisfying doing it on your own but, unless you're a really quick learner, it might take you a few weeks to get the hang of. That's how long it has taken me anyway. If you wish to learn Dreamweaver, I highly suggest the tutorials at lynda.com.

December 9th, 2008, 08:35 AM	#6
Richard Wakefield Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Surrey, UK Posts: 680	Like Peter, I decided one day that I would put the time in myself and design my own website using Dreamweaver. Cheaper than getting a web designer in, and def. feels more satisfying than relying on a template plus i can adapt the header graphic now it's xmas: FX Films - Professional Wedding & Corporate Videos (Surrey, Hampshire, Middlesex, London) :)

December 10th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#10
Brian Mercer Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 53	Marion, We adapted a BluDomain site for the videography business. We asked a good photography friend for some great pics and purchased the add-on video portion for the site. Its worked flawlessly for us.