So here is my question: What is the best way to code a site - PHP or HTML?

I recently had to re-create my site because our designer was codeing the site so that we would have to keep coming back to have things fixed. We had 3 indipendant companies review the site for us and they found many problems. So I scraped the site and created the new one by myself. Now the site is done in HTML with CSS, but people have comeback to me and said that it is out-dated and I should just hire someone to do it (namely them). Also I am told that we need to add some animation and graphics to the site to sell it. The thing is we are not trying to sell the site, we are trying to sell our products. So I am trying to find out what is the differance between HTML and PHP and do I really need to re-create the site again in PHP or did I do it right the first time. Also how hard is it to learn PHP and dose anyone know any good books. I am also looking at a program to learn design and development so I can make the site better.

James
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PHP is dynamic.

HTML is static.

You're going to need to determine what you're doing and then assess whether it's worth the costs to do PHP. I'd recommend it though.

PHP does use HTML elements, so it's really a combination of both.

We are looking at simple. We want something that people can find and shop. We are not interested in having a carnival on our site as one person put it. We are crafters and enjoy what we make. And we want to expand our business from the local area. That is why we had a site created. But people keep coming back and saying we need to add more splash to the site. The problem I have is that I hate sites that are all flash and no substance. We work hard on our products and I want to show them the best I can and make sure people enjoy coming to the site and looking at the stuff we make. And of course we want to sell the products too.

James html is for the structure of your site, css is for the presentation, and php would be for functionality.

For example html and css can't interact with a database and so your shopping cart program uses php to connect with a database. You could recreate your shopping cart pages with html and css alone. It would look the same, but it wouldn't function.

php isn't hard to learn as far as programming languages go. How easy or hard it will be will probably be more dependent on your own skills than the language. I don't have a specific suggestion on a book, but if you get one I'd recommend one that also covers MySQL. You get the most out of a server side language like php when you use the language to interact with a database so you might as well learn how from the start.

I agree you don't need a carnival on your site. That doesn't mean your site can't stand a little improvement.

I would have to say good ol html and css

I have been looking at a book called:

Beginning PHP And Mysql: From Novice To Professional, Third Edition

The one thing I like about the site right now is that the shopping cart we are using is one we bought. So everything from that end is covered and all I needed to do was put in the link codes so that it was reachable by the pages I created.

Now I have been doing research into what PHP is and MYSQL. And it isn't that different from what I am doing right now except that it will make creating new pages easier and I won’t have to do as much coding. But given the way I have the site set up right now do I need to re-create the pages in PHP or can I take time to learn PHP first.

Also in regards to: "That doesn't mean your site can't stand a little improvement.", what things would you recommend to improve the site to make it better. Any suggestions would be helpful.

You have to design the site in HTML and CSS. Actually, I design it in Photoshop and code it in HTML, and CSS. But, you implement PHP into your HTML code.

James using PHP (or any server side language) will make creating and modifying pages easier down the road. You can learn PHP first without recreating pages in PHP. You will need to use .php as an extension to any pages you want to add some php code to. But you can learn all you want and then when you're ready rebuild your site's pages.

When I mentioned your site could use improvement I didn't have anything specific in mind. Just meant that all sites can always be improved. You'll probably get more and better suggestions if you post a thread in the web design review section, though you should review a few sites for other members before you do.

Use PHP to get full dynamic website. If you don't like the url with .php?, & and other symbols, use URL Rewriting to make full SEO based website

i recommend you use html and css for now. using these two effectively can make a huge difference. php is an added extra to really make something WOW. but as i said before, keep it simple and later if you see good results (traffic-sales) then consider using php to look really professional.

good luck

I want to thank everyone for their help on this. I have just signed the paperwork to start a 52-week design and development course with Trios Collage to learn more about websites. I am starting to see what people mean about the site. I still want to keep it simple and from what the instructor said I have made a good start by myself and now I can improve on it. He told me that for being done straight in HTML and CSS it is very good. Now they can show me some ways of making the site easy to code and look a bit better with out loosing the feel. So I am going to leave it the way it is and make improvements as I learn in the course.

James

I think HTML, just because its easier, thats what i feel at least. I haven't coded in a while though, mainly becasue i don't like it anymore, it is something that you need time for, which i barely have

It all depends on what you need to do with the site. I know this isn't the best answer, but it is true. I use PHP on every site to include headers, navigation and footers. From there I only use PHP to connect to databases and display things like the date or run loops. Otherwise I use XHTML and CSS.

Personally, I would suggest using wordpress or joomla. If you are new and have never used either you should stick to wordpress.

Wordpress is a PHP blog script which can be used as a CMS and many other types of websites. Personally I build PPC landing pages using it and have now for quite sometime.

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Or if that seems too complicated stick with the good' ol CSS/HTML. But you will find as the sites content grows so does your headache when it comes to managing it all and making updates, and site wide changes.

I recently had to re-create my site because our designer was codeing the site so that we would have to keep coming back to have things fixed. We had 3 indipendant companies review the site for us and they found many problems. So I scraped the site and created the new one by myself.

I have just signed the paperwork to start a 52-week design and development course with Trios Collage to learn more about websites.

Let me get this straight, you want a nice site that's not too flashy and you don't want to pay a guy to continue to work on it, right?

I say this is a typical case of what I run into as a web guy over and over again. A select few people don't have a clue what goes into design, coding, databasing, and creating a functioning website. They get so irritated when they don't understand the process that through frustration, they begin feel it's no longer worth value to them to continue with the project and decide they can do a better job themselves.

In their minds, some customers feel I am purposefully trying to rope them out of more money when I'm not. It's just the nature of the web and business. You wouldn't expect a lawyer to work for free would you?

My point is this. Everything about web designing and coding is based on time, time equals money. It's that simple! There is a saying for this: You get what you pay for? Unfortunately, some people quickly find out the hard way how complex things can become and how many variables there may be.

Yet, your desire to achieve exactly what you want but didn't want to pay for, now drives you to enroll and PAY (there's the magic word) for a 52 week college course to not have to pay someone to do it for you?

This is amazing! Good luck with school but I would suggest saving some money and ask questions in here, you'll learn way more. Anything you want to know is somewhere on the net.

A new web designer is born!

This is not intended to slam anyone, it's just my point of view.

Well if I wanted simple. Then I would go with html. But its up to you.

Originally Posted by Sydpix

Let me get this straight, you want a nice site that's not too flashy and you don't want to pay a guy to continue to work on it, right?

I say this is a typical case of what I run into as a web guy over and over again. A select few people don't have a clue what goes into design, coding, databasing, and creating a functioning website. They get so irritated when they don't understand the process that through frustration, they begin feel it's no longer worth value to them to continue with the project and decide they can do a better job themselves.

In their minds, some customers feel I am purposefully trying to rope them out of more money when I'm not. It's just the nature of the web and business. You wouldn't expect a lawyer to work for free would you?

My point is this. Everything about web designing and coding is based on time, time equals money. It's that simple! There is a saying for this: You get what you pay for? Unfortunately, some people quickly find out the hard way how complex things can become and how many variables there may be.

Yet, your desire to achieve exactly what you want but didn't want to pay for, now drives you to enroll and PAY (there's the magic word) for a 52 week college course to not have to pay someone to do it for you?

This is amazing! Good luck with school but I would suggest saving some money and ask questions in here, you'll learn way more. Anything you want to know is somewhere on the net.

A new web designer is born!

This is not intended to slam anyone, it's just my point of view.

Thanks for the words Sydpix. I have hopes of being able to compleate this program and make my site as good as it can be. I have spoken with my instructor and he has told me that I have a good chance with the program just from what he can see in my site right now.

And your right you do get what you pay for. The problem we have is that our designer was making problems so we would have to pay him more to fix them. This is why I am taking the course. I have read many stories about how a few sleazzy designers are taking advantage of people and giving the professionals a bad name. So I want to be a part of the solution and help myself in the process and other people. There are a lot of low income families around where we live who make some great crafts and could sell very well with a site to put them on. I want to beable to give them that chance.

As for the cost of the program I don't have to pay a cent. because I was hurt on a Gov. contract a few years ago and had to be retired from Protection the Gov. is footing the bill for the whole course and materials.

Thanks for the wishes on school. I hope I do well.

James

If you do need to interact with your visitor , you just want to provide information as one way then HTML is Good but PHP can make your site more interactive then HTML. It will be dynamic so user can easily Interact with you.