Hello,

my wonderful father is turning 60 at the end of October and I thought
of having a website done for him as a birthday present. My  daddy is
now retired and he’s happily spending most of his spare time following
the restoration of an historical palace that our family owns. He’s
very sentimental about the place as he used to spend his summer
holidays as a child there, plus the whole project is quite exciting:
part of the building will be used to host cultural events and young
painters’ exhibitions.
I think it would be nice for him to own a website where to display the
progress in the works and where people could find the calendar of
events.  He’ll surely be very proud of showing the website around…
I’m looking for a reliable supplier that could handle the (small)
project from domain registration to final layout, at a reasonable
price. I can provide an overall navigation idea and all the pictures
and texts. Also, I would like the site to have a content management
system that will allow my father to directly update some contents: I’d
rather spare him the difficulties to have contents updated by someone
else and he will surely enjoy adding new pictures and information…He
has basic computer skills so it has to be something easy to use.
Ideas and suggestions for the site are very welcome. 
Many thanks for your help.

Ps
Your answers are now my favourite morning reading

Hi 1espressoplease ~

I think the reason you're not getting response as you thought you
might is because you may not be asking this question in the right
place.

I know that some of my fellow Google Answers Researchers have web
design businesses and could do a beautiful job for you, but it is
inherently unfair to single a single designer out and say, try this
person or firm!

Instead of asking the question here, I would suggest you visit Andy
Bourland's new enterprise, Up2Speed ...
   - http://www.up2speed.com/

On the right-hand side is a subscription for one of Up2Speed's
excellent discussion digests, I-Design, which is moderated by Veronica
Yuill.

The I-Design list has thousands of subscribers, many of whom are web
designers - from large firms to small one-person operations, and with
all degrees of experience, from newly starting to seasoned
professionals with many years experience behind them.

Those who are interested in undertaking setting up your father's site
will respond with a quote. Others will either recommend someone or
have good ideas for you. In any case, you will get response and some
choices you can make.

Be sure to subscribe to the digest - it's free - so you can see the
responses, too. Veronica's email address as moderator is
design@up2speed.com.

I am sure that you will find the perfect match to design and set up
your father's birthday gift that way.

By the way: Your father is very lucky to have such a thoughtful and
inventive daughter, and I bet you will both be very pleased with the
results!

Search Techniques -
   I used my experience as a subscriber to I-Design and a knowledge of
some of the terrific designers and contributors to make this
suggestion.

Regards,
Serenata

Espresso --

This is a site with drag-and-drop software that your father should
find easy to use, particularly if he's done any computer work with
programs like Microsoft Powerpoint:
http://www.homestead.com/

It will also give you a sub-domain that's pretty easy to use;
something like:
www.espressoplease.homestead.com

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

Hello and thanks for the quick answer.
I was actually looking for something different: someone to do all the
graphics and work, so that the website, although simple in contents,
will look professional and nicely lay-out. Ideally, my father will
turn the computer on on his birthday, find his good-looking website
already online and then will be able to add/edit contents whenever he
wants.


best regards
(does omnivorous diets include espressos?)

That sounds like a very nice present, i'm sure your father will enjoy
it! Good luck!

Sasha

Hi, espresso.

I recommend using a 'talent-auction' service.  .. You describe the
job, and post it on the service's website.  Contractors will place
bids on the job.  You'll be able to review their qualifications before
selecting a contractor.

I realize that that is what you were doing here on Google Answers,
but.. I think that one of the services I described would better serve
you.

Unfortunately, I can't point you straight to a 'really good' service. 
But this might be a good start.
http://directory.google.com/Top/Business/Business_Services/Consulting/Marketplaces/Talent_Auctions/

The keyword 'freelance' might help you find something too.  Or maybe,
one of our fellow Googlers will post a link to a 'really good' service
that she or he knows of.

Hope this helps.
And tell your Dad happy birthday. =)