I've not used my web dev skills in a while, and I'm feeling very rusty. Lately, I've been focusing on a new position at QuillBot, where I'm writing, creating content, and doing a host of diverse and sundry things. I love it, and using those AI-based tools has really upped my productivity on the content side. It's also got me very interested in machine learning and devrel, as well, but I haven't had any time for even small web dev projects.
My mom is launching her small business in GA soon, and I'm going to help her with her site--she doesn't need anything crazy. I know I can do it. But, since I'm rusty, I wanted to ask:
1) What resources you guys could recommend for me to brush up on general web dev basics?
2) What are your favorite hosting platforms?
This is my first post here, and I'm looking forward to diving back in :)
Top comments (5)
Definitely don't want to dissuade you from creating a website from scratch but I actually would recommend using a site like SquareSpace if it's going to be a pretty simple site.
A few years back, I was helping a friend as she launched her website for her business, and I was going to do it from scratch and then I realized that I didn't have the time with my full-time job to manage the hosting, making sure I keep up to date with security issues and managing the eCommerce connection piece of the site. So to get her going I created the website on Squarespace since it has all the Ecommerce ability built in and they manage the security aspect (as well as manage the hosting)
Also, she can now operate and update the site w/o me since I taught her the ins and outs of how to update it and such. She's been using her site for the last 2 years and is pretty pleased. She doesn't even need me anymore. She changes everything on her own now. 😅
In the future, I'd like to see her have her own site built from scratch but her business has been growing and hasn't outgrown Squarespace just yet.
Also, I grew up in GA so best of luck to your mom!
You know, this has given me a lot to think about. I do kinda love the idea of being a coding-from-scratch-purist here given the simple nature of the task, but also I know, have used, and am pretty comfortable with some of these lower energy options like SS, WP, builders, themes, etc. which would get this done much quicker.
I'm glad you brought up maintenance, too, because I wasn't thinking of that either. Unfortunately, I know I will be doing all of the upkeep, big or small, forever because my sweet lil mom is tech averse. I don't mind because I love her and am so so proud of her--she got into a car wreck on the job working as an NP for palliative care (geriatric patients are her specialty) and can no longer work in that field due to several health issues resulting from her accident. And now here she is, being awesome, championing quality care for seniors and opening her own residential personal care home--like assisted living but with only 6 residents max. I could cry at how awesome she is.
So yes, I will take care of this site for her, for however long she needs. But, a lower maintenance option would save me from a lot of work down the line for security and other factors. I've built a site on WP, fixed some sites on SS, so I'm not sure which I'll use yet, but seriously, Bradston, I appreciate your thoughts on this. You are indeed a southern gentleman!
Absolutely my pleasure!
And It's clear that you and your mom both have the heart to serve, in spite of the circumstances, so I am 110% sure you will find the perfect solution for her website. If it's from scratch or something like SquareSpace, I know you'll be good to go.
Thank you for the absolutely kind works and I know you got this. If you need any guidance/input/help along the way, don't hesitate to reach out here or drop me a line on my LinkedIn.
All the Best!
FreeCodeCamp.org (and its publications) is a good place to start with (1). If you want a quick(er) start you may also want to browse glitch.com and codesandbox.io for something you like, which you can fork and code instantly on their REPL.
For (2), Netlify and Vercel are the popular ones with a lot of features. There's also Firebase Hosting.
Thanks so much, Eka. I'm loving FreeCodeCamp.org so far, and I'll check out literally all of your other suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to send these recs!