Childminding websites?

[bluebell3]

Can I please ask those of you who have a childminding website how you go about it?? I notice on the business regsiter site there is a domain registration area but that you then have to find somewhere to 'host' your site. I am not clued up on this AT ALL! I had a look on vistaprint as they offer 'free' websites but as it turns out they are free for a limited period and then you pay a monthly charge which I assume is a 'hosting' fee. I was trying to read this quite late last night so maybe I just ought to read it again and see if it makes more sense!
Basically you have to register with someone your domain name and the pay a monthly hosting fee for use of the space? Is that right? Any advice on a good service?? Many thanks!!

[debratina]

hi
i brought my website in a box:laughing:
its called mrsite from amazon and it about £20
that includes hosting for a year and website building
easy to use
can't remember if it included the website name kyddcare.com

good luck

[BuggsieMoo]

If you click on my website. On the bottom of the page is a logo that says getting british business online. Click on that and its free for a year. Cant remember cost after but its all there.
Lisa x

[Graham]

Hi Bluebell

Pauline has made lots of websites for childminders on here, she will sort out the domain name, hosting etc., all you have to do is provide the content and Pauline will build the site for a very reasonable price.

You can read about it and see some examples here: http://www.childminderswebsites.co.uk/

[lisalou27]

i did mine on wix.com is all free no coast at all they give you templets to help you orgainse it all..

[Rain or Shine]

My site is a free website, there is a link on mine http://rainorshinechildminding.webs.com

x

[Mamma4Ya]

I used mrsite it is so easy i have the £39 a year one as you get up to 50 pages but you dont have to use them all you get to choose your domain name and hosting which is included in the price too.

If you look on ebay they are selling cheaper I had mine for half price on there :) you can add contact pages, gallaries, shop is you want one, guest book and a blog its up to you, you can change it as and when you want, upload pics etc, they have a live chat area for help too its fab :clapping:

[Pauline]

Mr. Site is available on Amazon for £12.99 :)

Mr. Site Beginner (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001GAQA84/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=childminding-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=B001GAQA84)

One question I would ask though is, if Mr. Site decides to shut down their business or hosting can you upload somewhere else or do you lose your website?

[Optimalstar]

I used moonfruit.

It's really simple to use and completely free. I did however buy the domain to get rid of 'moonfruit' from the address that cost just short of £11 for 2 years (i think).

Sam x

PS I have seen some of the ones (I assume) Pauline's built and they look good.

[bluebell3]

Thanks so much for all your replies - I am enjoying looking around but the wix site looks really good.

[Jiorjiina]

I used webs.com, but I also bought my domain name from godaddy.com.

The main reason I used webs is because I liked their templates more, nothing more, nothing less.

[Playmate]

Hi Bluebell

Pauline has made lots of websites for childminders on here, she will sort out the domain name, hosting etc., all you have to do is provide the content and Pauline will build the site for a very reasonable price.

You can read about it and see some examples here: http://www.childminderswebsites.co.uk/

Blue Boy and I can highly recomend Paulines work. she built our 18mths ago and we are really pleased with it!

We just provided Pauline with the info and she did everthing else, simples! When we need to change anything, we just email and its done :clapping:
Very reasonably priced too :D

Feel free to take a look at ours
http://www.playfulmindschildminding.co.uk/

[Penny1959]

I use gbbo (getting british business online through googlesites)

It was free to set up and so far has not cost anything (had it for 18m now)

However I do have have an issue in that I can not change the home page on my site (only an issue with mine but the technical team- yes they have one - have been unable to resolve it)

Other that very happy with it - very easy to add things and update.

If you want to take a look www.*********************

Penny :)

[Tink]

My husband says the following;

1) Do not use free hosted sites, or free template building sites like most do on here, the coding is rubbish and results in errors and issues on different browsers, a good website should be both CSS and XHTML vaild.

2) Buy your domain name from a site like 123-reg.co.uk, then buy a hosting package.

3) Then on paper or on your pc, write down all the pages you want on your site, how you would like it to look etc

4) Once you have done that you need to either learn and build your own site or find someone who knows how to. When it come to website designing people who actually put the money and effort in to create a state of the art site, has more chances of their business benfitting from it then one that has used a free hosting and free template builder.

(This is my husbands advice, he has numerous years and awards at building websites :thumbsup: )

[Jade]

I did all mine through 123-reg, its quite easy once you get going, design your website on software you feel comfortable with. the hosting is pretty cheap on 123-reg each year too. Check out my website <link removed as no back link could be found - please see Forum rules on posting websites, thank you>I made it from scratch :)

[LittleMissSparkles]

I can vouch for Pauline :clapping: she did my first site for me and hosted it for about 3 years , but i am so indecisive I was always chopping and changing it and asking for photos infor deleted or added and when my website name became available I bought it and did it myself so I didnt have to harrass Pauline although im sure she didnt mine, i hated been a nuisance xxx

www.bumblebeeschildminding.co.uk (http://www.bumblebeeschildminding.co.uk)

[Pauline]

I can vouch for Pauline :clapping: she did my first site for me and hosted it for about 3 years , but i am so indecisive I was always chopping and changing it and asking for photos infor deleted or added and when my website name became available I bought it and did it myself so I didnt have to harrass Pauline although im sure she didnt mine, i hated been a nuisance xxx

www.bumblebeeschildminding.co.uk (http://www.bumblebeeschildminding.co.uk)

You were never a problem or a nuisance, it only take me a few minutes to do small changes so just part of the job :thumbsup:

[leanneday01]

I used this company www.childminderswebsites.co.uk she does everything for you and is quite cheap. You can have a look at my site www.leanneschildcare.co.uk


Good luck

:)
Leanne

[Pauline]

I used this company www.childminderswebsites.co.uk (http://www.childminderswebsites.co.uk) she does everything for you and is quite cheap. You can have a look at my site www.leanneschildcare.co.uk (http://www.leanneschildcare.co.uk)


Good luck

:)
Leanne

That's me Leanne :)

Thanks for the kind comments, so glad you like your site. :thumbsup:

[debbie1]

Hi yes i use Wix they are so easy to use and free heres mine <link removed as no back link can be found> hope you like it Debbie:)

[Pauline]

Hi yes i use Wix they are so easy to use and free heres mine <link removed as no back link can be found> hope you like it Debbie:)

Debbie

I couldn't find the back link so had to remove it for now, (see Forum rules at top of websites section on posting links :thumbsup:)

One thing I would say though, it too an age to load which could put people off if they have to wait to view it. :)

[debbie1]

Hi Pauline sorry how do i back link, i dont know why it took ages as it usually comes up quite quickly, will look into it though thanks debbie:)

[Narnia34]

I think I'm going to have to look into setting up a website when we get posted back, looks very professional.

[Pauline]

Hi Pauline sorry how do i back link, i dont know why it took ages as it usually comes up quite quickly, will look into it though thanks debbie:)

Hi Debbie

I don't know how you do it with your programme as I have never used it. You will need to find out how to add clickable link. It might be called an anchor link or HTML link.