Starting a website - advice/thoughts?

[FallGuy]

Hey guys--

I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with some thoughts on this topic.

After some inspired procrastination, I've finally decided to take the plunge and start a basketball website so I can ramble incoherently about the NBA (not a competing Celtics site or anything like that, not that I'd flatter myself that I could).

I'm assuming a number of folks on this site have their own personal sites and might have some words to the wise for a newbie. I'm really just looking for something where I can write columns and for ease of use. That said - I want it to look really good. I'm willing to invest a bit in this last bit if I need to.

Now - here's the kicker. I am, to put it kindly, not adept with this kind of thing. I've gotten some initial thoughts about wordpress and blogspot and registering my own domain name and the uber-basics.

But what I'm looking for is anyone's perspective on things like--

Should I hire someone to design it?
How can I design a cool masthead?
Wordpress vs blogspot?
Using photos online without violating every copyright treaty known to man.
Thoughts from your own experience. What would you do same/differently if you were starting over?

TPs for any and all responses.

Cheers,
FG

[Celtics Insider]

Hey guys--

I'm wondering if anyone can help me out with some thoughts on this topic.

After some inspired procrastination, I've finally decided to take the plunge and start a basketball website so I can ramble incoherently about the NBA (not a competing Celtics site or anything like that, not that I'd flatter myself that I could).

I'm assuming a number of folks on this site have their own personal sites and might have some words to the wise for a newbie. I'm really just looking for something where I can write columns and for ease of use. That said - I want it to look really good. I'm willing to invest a bit in this last bit if I need to.

Now - here's the kicker. I am, to put it kindly, not adept with this kind of thing. I've gotten some initial thoughts about wordpress and blogspot and registering my own domain name and the uber-basics.

But what I'm looking for is anyone's perspective on things like--

Should I hire someone to design it?
How can I design a cool masthead?
Wordpress vs blogspot?
Using photos online without violating every copyright treaty known to man.
Thoughts from your own experience. What would you do same/differently if you were starting over?

TPs for any and all responses.

Cheers,
FG

I'm kind of a self-taught, learn-as-you-go website guy, but I'll give you my 2 cents.

If funds are low, use a free template, don't pay to get it designed. If funds aren't low, still don't pay to get it designed, buy an already-made template, but only if you're serious about it.

As for masthead, I'd go with GIMP. It's basically a free Photoshop. If you can manage to figure out how to combine layers and use opacities, it's very easy.

The hosting site doesn't really matter, but I like to challenge myself by doing everything on my own, so therefore I prefer Webs.com. But, if you want to just have fun and blog, then Blogspot is good for that.

As for photo copyrights, just credit the source. Such as "Photographer's name - AP/Getty".

So yeah, if you need any help with coding or anything, I don't always have all the answers, but at least I'll try and help you.

[Celtics Fan]

Hey I love what you are doing but all I can give you is great Celtic commentating and opinions. But if I can help let me know you are important because you are a Celtic.

[diamond]

Tks for your post

[Celtics Insider]

If you want an easy-to-use free site though with lots of customization, use freehostingcloud. It really a great site, and I personally like to use the Wordpress install as my home page.

[jacksmedulaoblongata]

I know the owner of a good design company if you want his info, other than that, the only advice I have is don't say things like: The Peyton Manning's of the world, the Tom Brady's of the world, the Drew Brees of the world; it's really annoying $hi# when people talk like that.