Hi everyone, I just bought the domain "www.free-links.org" and I wanted to know how I go about starting up a link directory and if there are any templates out there. I'm a complete noob to web design. All help much appreciated!
There are a number of scripts available and a number of free templates around to be used with those scripts. Search this forum for directory scripts. It gets asked a lot.
You can write your own directory script or buy one of the famous ones (phpld, phplynx, esyndicat). There as free versions for some of these scripts too. There are free as well as paid templates for each of scripts. Once you decide on the script the templates and mods URL would be specific to that
YOu need a script, plenty to choose from, you can get free or paid templates, you can use a category dump, dont recommend it though, and some cheap shared hosting. Im just replying with basic info because i dont know exactly your intentions, if you need to know more just ask.
Visit phpld (http://www.phplinkdirectory.com/articlescript/index.php) website download their script it comes with installation instructions.
Check other scripts like www.phplynx.com too. Don't just throw your money into the first script you find. And I'd say Pipes gave you some not so perfect advice. Cheap shared hosting certainly isn't the way to go.
Wow, I really appreciate all these fast replies! I want to get a good script so I'm guessing I will have to be paying. If I get a free one and then decide to get a paid one later on, will I be able to transfer all the links? Also can I edit the templates easily (I have a banner I want to put up etc).
Yeah both phplynx and phpLD will allow you to upgrade from the free version to the paid as far as I know. Templates can easily be edited. People here will help you out for free if you struggle.
Sorry man i should have given some more detailed info, was in a hurry eating at the time. I highly recommend phpLD script, either free and paid. If you dont already have hosting then "good cheap shared hosting" from a place like hostgator or any other one, lots out there, they actually provide you more than you need because a directory wont take up much room. Add your categories one at a time, if you cant afford a paid template then a free one is ample to start off with. Try and think out your category structure before adding them, dont add too many categories at first, theres mods that you can add to have more features on your directory. Think about your domain too, if you offered paid then maybe a good idea to offer at least one option for free listings, otherwise the domain wont watch what you offer.
Sounds like a recipe for an instant directory, just add water and stir. Unfortunately it’s also the recipe used for instant failure.
The OP didn't mention anything about success. Do you use dedicated or VPS for one directory? maybe you do. Adding categories one at a time would be a bad idea? Taking into account the domain name and how you can use it is a bad idea? Adding mods for additional features for submitters is bad? I dont think any of that is bad.
I suggest that you go with PHPld, if you have a budget buy the paid version. It's definitely worth more than $25 and yes you can transfer the links if you start with a free version of PHPld. You will get lots of free templates for the script and they are easily editable, in the paid version of PHPLd you can edit the template files from the admin itself (similiar to WP)
I'm in a whole world of trouble trying to actually upload the files just to get the directory online. I'm so noob to PHP and MySQL. I need hosting but can I not just use a free hosting site?
Pipes there is an in-between level. You don't have to rush to hostgator and buy some slow hosting. Go to another site and buy a reliable VPS, or do what I do and pay $60 a month for a semi dedicated. Just like shared hosting but with less customers so more resources for you. You can get dedicated servers from $xx a month at certain places. I advise anyone who is serious with any website, let alone a resource intensive directory to stay away from shared hosting. Can you get a free car? Can you get a free computer that works well? Can you get a free mobile phone that works? No you can't, IMO. Stay away from free and cheap hosting.
Yes i agree, and i would hope that you dont spend alot on a "script" being that your domain is "FREE LINKS" which would mean that people are expecting FREE submissions to that directory. As for hosting on a free server.... are ya kidding? thx malcolm
I've already begun uploaded to a free hosting server at agilityhoster. I don't see anything wrong with it?
in defense of free hosting I started with it but now pay for my hosting also I do know others uses free hosting and say they have no problems with there hosting but me myself I do prefer paid as I have more control
I suppose maybe i should have explained like you did Free doesnt always have to be bad, but when it comes to uptime and all those needed extras for a directory then free hosting just isnt the way to go. I can understand that you dont want to spend alot being that its free but hosting isnt something id skimp on if ya get what i mean Good luck with your site thx malcolm