Hi Angela

> I need some help. We are wanting to set up a new website for a
> farm cottage that we have just developed on our farm, but we are not
> sure as to what we should do next.

> We want to set up a website, preferably free or at minimal cost
> as we are not intending on making a lot of money off the cottage, just
> enough to cover the current costs, such as power, rates, insurance etc.

> We have an online pyjamas business www.ocb.co.nz which is
> hosted & designed through Free Parking, but we don't really want to spend
> the same amount on this website.

As an accountant my first thought is whether or not this is taxable / GST-able, etc, but we'll leave these issues for now.

Since you have the other website, I'll assume you pay for the site name, setup, hosting, shopping site, etc. You'll also pay for some-one to update the site.

One way to avoid all of this is to simply add a page to the site for the rental. That way you can even take payment the same way. Simple and minimal cost.

Another way is to see if there is a site offering similar services where you could have a page.

Or you could have your own "free" page on your ISP's site (or some other free site). The problem with this is getting it listed on the relevant search sites.

If you want your own page done and loaded somewhere, you could do something like my son is offering (he's a student doing a multi-media course). He's on the lookout for small websites like yours to do. If you're not happy, don't use it - it may not produce exactly what you want - but I believe it's a low risk way to go. Best of all, the long term solution can see you get what you want.

Of course I should also point out you may get the same service from some one local - it doesn't really matter.

Well, I hope you've got lots to think about and wish you well.

Phil Astley
www.businessacademy.co.nz

Hi Angela.

I have written to you privately, please check your spam bin for an email from lynny@canzdesign.com

Regards Lynny

www.canzdesign.com

Hi,

another option may be to consider Facebook, a business page already includes most tabs that a typical website would have (About, images, files) as well as obviously it would have social media integration.

HTH,

Kind Regards,

Jochen Daum

Chief Automation Officer
Automatem Ltd

Phone: 09 630 3425
Mobile: 021 567 853
Email: jd@automatem.co.nz
Skype: jochendaum
Website: www.automatem.co.nz
http://twitter.com/automatem
http://nz.linkedin.com/in/automatem
http://www.xing.com/go/invite/3425509.181107
http://www.aucklandbusinessnetworking.co.nz

Hi Angela,
Have a look at www.weebly.com I have found it great. With my limited knowledge of HTML, domain registering etc I think I've done well in the construction. Have even managed to use my own NZ domain name and set up the email etc. Also it is well worth listing on http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz as we get 90% + of our guests from there. Cheers, Paul

Hi Angela
Maybe you can create a blog on Blogger/Blogspot (http://blogger.com). It's all free and very easy to set up.

You even get a nice URL such as:
myfarmcottage.blogspot.com.

Through the blog, you will also be able to communicate with customers, accept their comments and reviews - great for building trust and network.

Cheers, Jenny
http://LawyerChoice.co.nz