<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Several of you asked me to compile the responses to my question and I received a few responses that gave me a lot to think about. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">I am including them below instead of attaching them because michlib-l doesn't include attachments in digest form or the archive.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Thanks,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Janelle</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><br></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail_default"><font size="4">Here is my original question: </font></div><div class="gmail_default"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default">For the techie people out there,</div><div class="gmail_default">(Please excuse any cross posting)</div><div class="gmail_default">I would like to create a new website for a small archive/collection (that our library has) that centers around the Newbery award winning author, Marguerite de Angeli. We had one previously (that was live when I started working here about 9 years ago) but it was on a server that died. We were able to salvage some of the pages and information from it. It will mostly be information about the author and her works but will include pictures of the collection and possibly pathfinder(s) for it also. I have the option of hosting a site through godaddy and using wordpress to create it or creating a google site. </div><div class="gmail_default"><br></div><div class="gmail_default">Has anyone created websites using wordpress and/or a google site?</div><div class="gmail_default">If so, do you have any feedback on creating, maintaining (etc.) websites with either method? </div><div class="gmail_default">Is one easier to use than another? <br></div><div class="gmail_default">Is either method unsuitable for this purpose?<br></div><div class="gmail_default">Is there a better but still cost effective option out there for this purpose? (Keeping in mind, that I had one or two webdesign and programming classes in college but I have not done anything since then.)</div><div class="gmail_default"><br></div><div class="gmail_default">I want to avoid creating a website with either method and discover that it can't do what I would like it to do, so I would be grateful for any feedback that you can give me. I can compile responses if anyone is interested.</div><div class="gmail_default">Thanks in advance,</div><div class="gmail_default">Janelle</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_default"><font size="4">Here are the responses that I received:</font></div><div class="gmail_default"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">I have had a lot of
luck with both Weebly and Wix for free website creation. </span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="width:625px;height:18px"><img width="625" height="3"></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Hi Janelle,</span><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">I created a WordPress site for our church
library website.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">On Blogger (Google) I've had
3 websites. The biggest problem with each is the blog format means order
is the most recent first. It works on the 2 Blogger sites because of the
way they are structured (although sometimes my main blog needs a reminder to
catch all articles when I have a multi-part series). </span><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">I'm also the webmaster for a storytelling
site.</span></span><a href="http://www.northoaklandcountystorytellers.org/" target="_blank"></a><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> It uses a Google
"classic" site and I'm not sure how the "new" sites
differ. I am uncertain if both new and classic are still offered. I
can tell you that the classic site gets past the blog problem of the last post
is what you see first offered on both WordPress and Blogger. I think the
Google sites will do what you want and is not only flexible, but easily
maintained.</span><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Any reservations? Yes, I'm finding sites
now need to be both full screen and mobile versions. I also find many
templates look exactly like that...a template.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">My own storytelling website was made with a
webdesign program that was a more user-friendly WYSIWYG program giving results
comparable to Dreamweaver. I went through various versions and they've
now made it a "legacy" product, so I won't suggest it. I've
been holding off on how I'm going to create a mobile version. In that
respect I look forward to whatever results you receive.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">I'm also going to give my own experience with
GoDaddy. I started there and you can definitely do better even though
it's a well-known source used by many. It's been ages since I worked with
them, so my memory of problems is very hazy, but know I was able to do much
better way back by switching to Earthlink (remember them?) and eventually away
to my own provider. My recommendation, if you don't need to go with a
freebie option, is contact </span></span><a href="https://www.hostmysite.com/" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Host My Site.com</span></a><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> --
U.S. based and 24/7 support by phone, chat, or email. It includes domain
management (my site and my blogs), automatic yearly billing if wished, and a
webmail account, although I suspect the library's email will be what you
use. I've been with them for many years. I also know someone who
thinks equally highly of </span><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://kingwebhost.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Kingwebhost</span></a><span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> and has used them for many
storytellers and storytelling organizations. I could put you in touch
with her if you like.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The de Angeli collection is a real gem that
deserves online promotion! Best wishes in your efforts.</span><br>
</span><span style="margin-top:54px;width:625px;height:3px"><img width="625" height="3"></span><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">In response to this, I
have not used either of the other websites. I have, however, created a website
for my church as was able to use templates to help make it look better.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The website is </span><a href="http://wix.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">wix.com</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">You have a free
version, but you will be littered with wix ads. However, it does give you
several premium options. It's best to try and snag it when there is a
sale. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">But in the end I find
this website to be easy to use and not too terrible on the wallet. The options
we chose was like $28 for the domain this is covered for the year (extra was
added to protect my identity), and $16 for the website premium for each month.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="z-index: 251663360;"><span style="width:625px;height:3px"><img width="625" height="3"></span></span><span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span> </span></span></p>
<br clear="ALL">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Did you get some good information? I was
going to respond earlier but</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">it's been a crazy week.</span><br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">We started using Wordpress for our website and I
love it. I used</span><br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">DreamWeaver for about 10 years prior and this is
so much easier. If you</span><br>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">had any specific questions, I am open to try to
help you.</span><br>
</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We have regular menus
and pages, plus a calendar. And we have
a blog. There are many, many free templates that you would never know are free
for wordpress because they look lovely. We used a free one for a couple of years
and then decided to spend $50 on one that we liked. </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">We pay for our web address and</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> <span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">storage through Blue Host for all of our files. That costs 4.95 per</span>
<span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">month. These are the only costs involved. I can
update from anywhere that</span> <span style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">I have internet
access. A much better option for us.<span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Hope this helps a bit.</span><br></div><div><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large;display:inline"></div>-- <div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Thanks,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Janelle</div><br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">Janelle Martin<br>Head of Fiction<br>Marguerite deAngeli Library<br>Lapeer District Library</div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">921 W. Nepessing St.</div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">Lapeer, MI 48446<br><a href="mailto:jmartin@lib.lapeer.org" target="_blank">jmartin@lib.lapeer.org</a><br>810-664-6971 ext 3218</div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px"><br></div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">Connect with us on:</div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Instagram: lapeer_district_library</span></div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">Facebook: Lapeer District Library</div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">Tumblr: lapeerdistrictlibrary</div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px"><br></div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px">Grow. Enrich. Connect.</div><div><br></div><span name="x" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,"new york",times,serif;font-size:16px"></span></div></div>
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