Question: From Network Solutions to TypePad

PenguinBukkake — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:05:38 -0800

Blog troubles: I'm thinking about switching from Network Solutions to TypePad, and also have some problems creating my new blog. Please give advice if you can, I'm confused.

I have already written a few posts for my blog and I want to go live soon: the blog will be simple (I don't care about fancy stuff) but will be image-heavy (from one to three images per post), needs commenting, archives, and a blogroll.

A few weeks ago, without doing much research, I paid for the basic Network Solutions Homepage package, at about $60 a year. I have one email box, one domain, and as of now my website consists of just a single homepage (one page). No FTP access, no commenting, no archives, no statistics, etc.

I mistakenly thought this might be enough for me. So I tried to make my website design and content using Network Solution's ImageCafe back-end software, and quickly realized that it sucks for me, and I will need to upgrade because I clearly chose the wrong package. I've put like 40 hours already into testing and experimenting with the layout in ImageCafe, and I'm just not happy. I have a decent design background and am fully competent in Photoshop, and am comfortable using new software, systems, etc, but just don't have the time. The shame is that all the content is there and pristine, but I haven't even gone live yet because the existing page is a mess.

Here's my dilemma:

This is my first website (aside from using blogger), so I don't have much coding experience, and can only build a webpage (not a site, though) using Dreamweaver. But even if I had FTP access, I don't think I am good enough to actually create a website from scratch. I was a website administrator for a work blog hosted through Real a few years ago, but I worked via FTP, and through a back-end tool. And I only did maintenance, editing simple code, and image uploading.

If I stay with Network Solutions, I will need to upgrade my package to another $70 a year. This will give me FTP, storage, etc... and I will also have to hire a designer to code my site. Because aside from Dreamweaver, I have no HTML experience, and don't really "get" how to make a multi-page website with features like archives, site metering, etc.

However, yesterday I researched TypePad, and thought it might be a good option instead. I might go with the full, pro package (about 150 bucks/year).

So I need help making-up my mind, and here are the options:

1. Stay with Network Solutions: upgrade my package to top-of-the-line, and hire a coder to make a good site, which I can then manage myself (hopefully).

2. Switch to TypePad: buy the top-of-the-line package and hope there are better templates for blogging, so that I can do it myself. (or, if it is still over-my-head, I will hire someone for coding).

Does anyone have experience using the top-of-the-line packages for both Network Solutions and TypePad? Can anyone predict the best option for me? This is making me so miserable! Thank you in advance!

By: sbutler

sbutler — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:24:44 -0800

I'm a TypePad user right now, and I'm pretty happy. I too went with the pro package, because I wanted to customize my layout. But if you're happy with the default templates, you might just want to go with one of the cheaper packages.

TypePad has a 30 day free trial. So I'd recommend checking that out and seeing if it does what you need. There are other options too. TypePad runs a software package called MovableType. Other providers offer WordPress (a very popular one at the moment) and TextPattern.

Also, TypePad can host your domain (it's an option when you create a new blog) but you'll still have to pay a registrar a yearly fee. Network Solutions is $35/yr, but there are cheaper registrars. But you need to realize that your domain name ownership is entirely separate from your blog/hosting company.

By: Staggering Jack

Staggering Jack — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:25:38 -0800

I use TypePad (plus) on a number of different sites and really like it. It makes everything pretty easy and thus I can spend my time on content rather than coding.

By: filmgeek

filmgeek — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:51:37 -0800

Do you want to solve problems (coding, design, etc.) or do you want to blog?

If it's the latter, just go with typepad. You can still find/hire people if you don't like the templates. But you don't have to screw around with comment spam, etc. Plus they're investing in keeping you happy.

I did method one, and now I'm at method two.

Comments on: From Network Solutions to TypePad

Question: From Network Solutions to TypePad

By: sbutler

By: Staggering Jack

By: filmgeek