What does it take?

[DudeEMETIB]

To start and maintain a website?

A friend and I are interested in starting an online publication
that rates and reviews music.

Sort of like Rolling Stone or Pitchfork, except...obviously a lot, lot, lot smaller.

We'll mostly be focusing outside of the mainstream,
we're both very into music and will probably be reviewing
indie, folk, electronic, synth-pop, alternative, post-rock,
etc.

Not a lot of Top 40 stuff, but we'll try to cover anything that's
genuinely great...so perhaps a few mainstream gems that come out
as well.

I was wondering if anyone here knows how to run or design a site,
we're both pretty near clueless on how that works.

Also, maybe I can count on some of you to read our reviews when the site is up and running? Maybe?

Any audience is better than no audience.

[dzagama]

Setting up a site is relatively easy.

Attracting an audience is hard.

Can you compete with:

Stylus Magazine
PopMatters
Stereogum: Music Blog: MP3 Downloads, Videos, News, Giveaways

and the rest?

[EastTexas]

The setting things up part is very easy.
1) Buy domain
2) Choose to pay for hosting (as low as $5 a month some places), or host yourself for free. Hosting yourself takes a little more work, but I was able to do it an I'm pretty dumb.
3) Wherever you bought you domain, add you DNS server IP's from where you are hosting. (or if you are hosting your own, use a free dynamic dns forwarding site, there are several)
3) Search for free website templates, or use a webpage designer program to make your own.
4) Add your content.
5) Upload them.
Done

[DudeEMETIB]

I found a website that lets you start your own site for free...
Webs - Make a free website, get free hosting
I'd never heard of it before, but it seems simple enough...
I figure for now that'll be fine until we actually start getting an audience

I only made a homepage with pretty much nothing on it
because we still have a lot of music to listen to, rate, review
etc. before I think we should bother with really filling out the website.

Also I did this on my own, and don't want to get too ahead of myself
without consulting with my friend.

The Blacklight Review - Home

We're still not even 100% sure about the name, but I wanted to do this
to at least get an idea of how this site-stuff works.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by Lord of the Cock Rings

Are you looking for cum-stains on the music?

I guess somebody has to review Hole.

[DudeEMETIB]

...I thought it was kinda clever...

lol

I was thinking it went well with the idea of clubs and things
(though club music isn't what we're focusing on)

[DudeEMETIB]

Also, does anyone have suggestions for
web design software for beginners?

I keep trying to look at reviews for different programs,
but it seems like the best ones are for people who
totally know what they're doing
(makes sense, but I'm a noob)

[DudeEMETIB]

If any of you guys would like to,
and I personally would love it if you did,
become members of the site...
I put a page there you can sign up...
right now it's not really beneficial
since it'll be a while before I really work on the site
but....later, if you ever want to use those forums
or perhaps some other features...
you'll need to be a member..

also
it would make me happy?

[DudeEMETIB]

But...

I want to start it with a ton of reviews
not just one...

...bad idea?

[aptmunich]

Listen to Yoav!

I'd agree with
a) go with wordpress: You'll be able to extend your website a lot easier: There are a ton of plugins, modules, themes etc. for WP. Getting started is simple, but you can turn it into something very professional.

b) Less yapping, more writing. Yes, it'd be nice to launch with a review database of every album of the 90s, but that ain't going to happen.

c) Forget members. Unless you're facebook or twitter, no-one is going to sign up as a member until you actually have content on your site that they can comment on / discuss etc.