Thinking of creating a blog, of sorts.. Help and advice required please :)

As the title says, I am considering creating a blog of sorts..

It's not really a blog, as blogs go, more of a diary, but not even that..

It's kinda difficult to explain, but basically I will be visiting various sites around the UK and then writing about it on my return, I may even write a preview to each visit as well..

The content will be interesting and informative, not just a "I went to such and such a place and did X then went to so and so place and did Y" type of diary.

Also, I want to include some embedded videos and photographs, (created by myself so no worries regarding copyright issues), for illustrative purposes. I also may include interviews with key personnel at each site I visit.

This idea is one I have had only very recently and my research is still in the early stages, however, I am fairly confident that it's a pretty unique idea as regards the topic and also that there is only going to be a limited appeal as far as marketing goes, and probably more the younger end of the market too.

Now my problems:

1. I have absolutely no idea where to begin, I am pretty sure that a wordpress type site would be ideal for the basic structure of the "blog" but I am not a coder/designer although I do have some, very limited, html skills.
2. I would want to be able to include a calendar, where I will be when, and why I will be there, etc.
3. I would want the site to be pretty much a point and click affair for myself, especially when it comes to including the illustrative pictures/video clips.
4. I don't know if limiting the website to a single, specific topic, would be a good idea or not, or whether to include additonal pages such as a gallery, archives, etc.

What I would like from DP members:

1. Advice, suggestions, comments, etc.. I will try to answer any and all questions in as much detail as possible without giving too much away, (though I seriously doubt anybody would want/be able to usurp me).
2. Reflections on past experience with a seriously small niche site, limited to that particular niche only, (i.e. no additional content unrelated to the main topic).
3. Help to construct the site/blog/call it what you will, (funds are available but not sure exactly how much to expect to pay). I do have some idea as to how I would want the site to look, including a possible logo/banner.
4. Should I, as I want to, put this onto a URL that I currently have which is totally unrelated to the topic or should I try to buy a URL that says what the topic is?
5. Anything else you can think of.

Obviously, as I am a complete numpty when it comes to creating a blog/diary/whatever I would prefer a more experienced person to build the site, at a reasonable rate preferably.

The topic is one that has been a major part of my life for many years, (24 to be precise), and one that I am particularly interested and passionate about and I am sure that will reflect in my "articles".

Questions/comments/suggestions in the thread please, offers of help to create the site via PM with costings, if that is allowed in this particular forum, (I am thinking iTrader issues here more than anything).

Thanks in advance

Laz

 

I could design and code the WP theme for you for around $200 in full, exactly as you want it.

 

I would suggest something along the lines of Wordpress. WP is the only one I have experience with so it of course is my fave. There are plenty of free templates out there that should come close to what you want. You may have to hire a coder to fiddle with the templates if you want changes and are uncomfortable with making them yourself.

There are several plugins that will handle a gallery of photos and you might look into a free hosting service for the vids as they tend to use up your bandwidth before you know it.

As far as the monetization of the site, you might look into getting a few of the places you'll be visiting to chip in in exchange for a banner or some such on the site. You'll probably have better luck with that, than with trying to get text links and adsense ads that are relevant.

Hope that helps.

 

Get a domain and a paid Linux hosting account; install wordpress in the root directory. You can go in for a custom made theme and logo if you have the cash, else get free theme. After this almost every thing you want do with the site is either built into the wordpress or there are plugins that you can use to get it going.

 

well I have looked at the free themes, and even downloaded one that I think would be appropriate..

as for logo, I already know how I want to do that too..

I have URL, (not related to topic), and hosting, so again, no problem there..

Is WP that easy to use that I could "do it myself"? I don't know, thats why the post. When I looked at the theme I downloaded I couldn't make head or tail of how to actually use it in the way I wanted to, I guess that's more because I haven't installed WP?

thatedeguy: I don't think that I would have much trouble monetizing the site, even though what I am planning appears to be unique, or at least, not very common, there are quite a few websites with a similar topic that I could probably exchange links with/sell ad space to and because of the probable age-range of the likely readers, (I am thinking probably 12-25 yr olds would be more interested than say 45-60 yr olds), adsense or some other ad program would probably be suitable.

Also, is there a calendar type plugin as mentioned in my first post, and where do I find these plugins? Are they all available either on or via the wordpress website?

Etherfast: $200 is a bit more than I had hoped to pay, I am willing to try to do this myself first but worried that I could make a complete mess of it..

Thanks for the help so far.

 

Average quality WP themes that include coding vary from $150 to $200.
However, you could find some free templates that match your blog best, and you can consider building your custom template after a while if you decide that worths it

Good luck,

 

If you have everything you need to start WP-blogging - why don't you try it out, and answer the question for yourself... no sense in the hosting just rotting up. And when it comes to blogging or what ever you call it - it's simply about getting off your a**.

Hope this helps

And ... buy a domain (url) - it's only $10.

 

well pj1s, it just so happens that I got the email telling me you had replied to this thread whilst I was in the process of uploading WP to the site as I had decided to "try it out" as you say..

if it all goes pear-shaped I can always fall back on DP for help

thanks though, just a wee bit late

hehe

 

lol, good to know you are uploading wordpress, in case you need any help, feel free to let us know

 

lol, since you offered...

ok, I did that and...

which is

if ( !did_action('admin_head') ) :

PHP:

umm... help?

 

umm, never mind, i found the prob...

told ya i was a numpty

 

No matter what software problems, you always manage to figure it out, just after posting here on DP. lol

 

you can design your own wordpress theme->use it. for that you have to know a bit php and a good knowledge of CSS.....

 

of which i have neither

see my new post here

 

hi!

can you give me a little bit more details please? got the same problem but just don´t get behind it

thx!

 

uhh, i cant remember what it was...

it ws something completely stupid and basic that much i do know

if i remember i'll shoot you a pm (you are having the exact same problem yeah?)

 

yeah, exactly the same

would be glad if you help me!

 

Kipfal,

Just had the same problem. What you have to do is change the name of wp-config-sample.php to wp-config.php and edit it to properly correlate to your database environment w/unames and pw's.

Once that is all done you can successfully go to the install.php file, pending the correct information is plugged into the wp-config.php file.

Hope this helps.

P.S. I made an account just to help you out so I don't know how often I'll remember to check this thread.

 

oops, i had actually pm'd him the info, but now that you're here xandrake..

Welcome to DP

 

let me know if you receive any good advice