Advise please

[SAUSDOG]

Hello to all,
Im very new to all this in fact i have never purchased a site before and only really started learning/reading about all this a few weeks ago.I have come to the conclusion that a good way to learn maybe to purchase a cheap site and basically have a play and ask questions and see where it takes me.
So its really some advise im after.I have found a site through a google search that sells cheap websites i have found one im interested in but i would like to know,
1)Would this be ok
2)Do i get all i need
3)If not why not

I hope thats all ok as i have said its a sharp learning curve for me at the moment and im sure i will be asking many more questions if thats ok.Many thanks and here is the link for the website,

http://websitesforsales.com/en/golf-...?&currency=gbp

[ParkinT]

Do you realize that this does NOT include the hosting or domain name you will need in order to operate this site?
Perhaps it would be better for you to:
- Create a free account at Wordpress.com and experiment/learn there. The choice of designs (templates) for Wordpress is limitless
- Since you must purchase web hosting anyway, you can install Wordpress for free on your own hosting account (many hosts include a "click to install" feature that simplifies the process)
- Many web hosts also include the ability to "create your own" website as part of the price you pay

I would say, try any of these first. You will have invested NOTHING (more than the hosting which you need anyway) and, with some experience, will be better equipped to make a better decision about "purchase" such as this in the future.

You came to the right place for advice. There are many, many, many very skilled people here - all friendly and anxious to help you.

[SAUSDOG]

Hello mate,thanks for the reply.Yes i did think that but was really just after confirmation.Many thanks the search continues.

That was the route i first looked at mate but as i have no real computer skills i thought it could be easier to buy an established site first and have a go at building my own at a later date.Do you have any good advise or perhaps a good link where i can read how to go about this,its more the getting info adverts etc and then getting it into search engines etc.

[FruitMedley Post]

Sausdog, 99% of people selling cheap sites are selling illegal sites, sites with trademark or copyright violations, sites where the earnings/traffic etc., are faked and sites which could get you into trouble.

You certainly have the right idea. Buying a site that's already running is a good way to get a feel for what you need to do. However, it's a tricky job steering clear of the wrong type of purchase.

I would like to suggest my own forums as a good place for you to learn, but I don't think they'd be right for you at your current level - the discussion can sometimes be quite advanced. My suggestion: Read, read, read and read a lot more. Then think about going ahead with a purchase. Even then I would caution you to spend only money that you can afford to lose.

My advice would be to avoid Wordpress. It's easy in some respects but more of a problem in other respects. What does my head in with WP is the frequent updates to software and plugins. Life's too short.

[SAUSDOG]

Many thanks mate.Yeah thats all i seem to be doing lately although im finding the subject very interesting.I seem to just be getting somewhere then a thread or post leads to another topic which i then start reading,buying website,buying domains,building websites etc etc.I have a certain amount of money i can use for this and if a small loss ment i learnt a bit then that wouldnt be a bad thing.I really think i need to try and learn how to buy a good site to start with thats appropriate got everything and is not a rip off.

[ParkinT]

You took the correct first step by coming to Sitepoint to ask for advice.
Since your intention is primarily to learn, you need to narrow your focus just a bit. "A website" encompasses such a broad range of knowledge and expertise you will be quickly overwhelmed (as it sounds you are beginning to see for yourself). You should narrow your focus, initially, and read/study/practice in order to learn.

So what is it that most interests you?

• Managing a growing community
• Selling a product
• Building web designs
• Developing Web applications
• Expert/Leading Edge CSS or Javascript
• Toying with the "Dark Art" of Search Engine Optimism
• Understanding the technical details of Web Servers and Server Administration
• Exploiting Domain Names
• Expressing your opinioin (blog)
• Creative Writing (publish a book online)
• Share interests (music, art, software interest, skydiving, rare pets, stamp collecting, the-sky-is-the-limit)

I am not suggesting you limit yourself to only learning one aspect, but rather, BEGIN with one and build on that experience.
Use the broad topics here on Sitepoint as a guide to the general areas of focus.

[FruitMedley Post]

I really think i need to try and learn how to buy a good site to start with thats appropriate got everything and is not a rip off.

You could do worse than getting familiar with the due diligence material I've posted here, the article I wrote for Sitepoint on valuing websites, the occasional newbie thread on my forum (example), the posts I've written in Sitepoint some of which have been made into stickies and others which seem to have gotten buried etc.

Good luck