How to make a Web 2.0 site with ease?

[EvanGary]

Hi Fellow Young Entrepreneurs,

I am curious if anyone can recommend an easy way to make an attractive web 2.0 website. Whenever I google search web 2.0 templates, make a web 2.0 website, I end up with templates or software that I have to purchase.

I am proficient in HTML, a little JS, and CSS, but would like an easy solution to making web 2.0 sites. I am not looking for anything crazy or super elaborate, just an editor that has some good templates, or a site that has some good web 2.0 templates for free or reasonably priced... I do not mind paying for software or templates as long as they give me what I want without too much hassle.

Some examples of web 2.0 sites I like:
prosper, facebook, twitter, beenverified (all those words with dot coms)


Now obviously these sites are complex and have some serious coding to them, but the LOOK AND FEEL is what I am after, i am wondering if anyone has some good ideas of how to make simple web 2.0 sites from easy templates or an easy web editor?

Thank you,
Evan

[xvampyricx]

Crap.. I posted in the wrong thread -_-

Also, to reply to you, I'm pretty sure there's web 2.0 tutorials online, as I've seen them for logos and such, so feel free to try google :]

[mthomas]

unfortunately, I can't recommend any place with good templates for web2.0 style, but I can suggest you read these articles. They are very informative and should help you.

Web 2.0 How-to Design Style Guide
Current Style in Web Design

[chrispalko]

Web 2.0 how-to design style guide +1

[Sharkystar]

Hmm, web 2.0 really has nothing to do with design.

What 2.0 really means is the evolution of the web, ie proper coding standards, programatic design patterns, SaaS and RMA's etc.

I'd suggest you read a definition by the people who actually came up with the concept before you get too hung up on the look and feel.

Try googling O'Reilly Media Web 2.0

Hope that clears it up for you.

[EricNHorton]

here is a script which allows you to build sites like myspace:

boonex.com/products/dolphin

this script is free.

[nonrate]

Hmm, web 2.0 really has nothing to do with design.

What 2.0 really means is the evolution of the web, ie proper coding standards, programatic design patterns, SaaS and RMA's etc.

I disagree. Web 2.0 is actually about design, but more of how the particular web page is used vs. the look/feel. Web 2.0 has spawned a specific look and feel that seem to be attached to many of these new types of web applications.

I never heard Web 2.0 as being about proper coding standards or design patterns, those have been around since the 70's.

[EvanGary]

OK, been a while since I replied to my own thread, but I did find a site I like and I think they are capable of producing sites that look "Web 2.0". Make it yourself for 20/mo. and they design it for you for 80 bux a mo.

It look pretty easy to make a site with this tool below. I think its not a bad deal for an Instant website that looks "Web 2.0". Not a bad deal, check out Site Kreator (Instant Web 2.0 website tool)

[christophercloud9]

For a "tool" like that you are paying for mostly stuff you can get elsewhere. You are paying for the support, the maintenance, hosting, domain name registration, etc.

If you went with a professional company, most of the time you can get a site done cheaper than "$79" a month. If you consider that in a year lets say, that's $948 for only 5000MB storage. With my company hosting is $20/month with UNLIMITED bandwidth and UNLIMITED storage and you get unlimited e-mail accounts. This in turn saves you money since we also include a free domain name registration and FREE support. You could also get a website design & developed through us for fairly inexpensive as well, thus in turn saving you money in the long run since you wouldn't be paying so much for hosting. Best of luck to you.

[feint]

The problem with using SiteKreator is that it will look like other peoples sites and people can tell that its a template.

And btw the "web 2.0" look that is shown in many tutorials is already outdated.

[ameeker]

Use a self hosted install of WordPress - you can't get any more 2.0 than that!

wordpress org is the website (obviously, insert the dots and all...

DON'T pay someone $20 a month to make your site when you can pay ONLY for your hosting, and have the most amazing site you can build yourself (even if you're beginner, but since you have some experience with CSS and coding - you won't be confused at all by WordPress, its open source themes, or its plugins).

[altwebdesign]

design wise: keep the colours simple greens, yellows, blues, red, if you notice these are the colours generally used mixed in with whites and greys, gradients and drop shadows.

Have large headers and those big 2.0 shapes, like stars and circles.

Add a "glossy" feel to images by using photo shop and adding faded white shapes to images

[Scar Tissue]

It's all about speed, people are impatient, make sure your home page downloads within 10 seconds on a slow speed connection.

[Jase]

Well this is the latest trend, most of the well known sites has web 2.0 icons. Like many people, I am amazed at look of these icons. These icons generally have glass effect with tinge of 3D shadow.

I tried to make icon for my site(to the pc) and was successful to some extent. Most of my friends liked the icon, however there were some brickbats like: icon is too light, colors etc etc etc.

[24hrstartup]

Custom design is always preferred. There are millions of blogs with 2.0 layout articles and info.