Need advice on how to build a personal modeling website.

Well, there a ton of servers out there to use. Godaddy is an option but don't know much about them. I 've created my sites using Yahoo. They have their own program that you download onto your PC. From there, you build your site. It's got  plenty of tools to do a nice site. The tool options are similar to Microsoft Publisher. Research it a bit. Also, click the logo below for my site as an example of what Yahoo has to offer.

Good luck with it,

Andy

I recommend you checkout www.weebly.com you can get everything you need to get started, you don't have to know code and there are many options for customization.

You might want to consider a blog format like mine...I also have a website..links are below signature below. When you have a "Forum" format you'll find that you'll be spend a great amount of time managing the forum and less time building models. Why, because every hacker and spammer will be trying to access your site and post crap you don't want or desire...BTDT

The blog format allows folks to follow your work and comment with you in control of content. Why not associate with someone who has an active site as regular contributor, build yourself a following. Take Chukw, his Helldiver build is posted to and being followed on several forums including this one.

There are tens of thousands of little independent sites like you are talking about creating. Most never get seen unless the owner drives viewers to it. I could go into all of the techno stuff, it is something we do as part of our business for our customers. Much depends on what you want the site to be and do for you.

I agree with everything Hawkeye says, it sounds like a blog would be your best bet.  Another advantage to a blog is that there are many sites out there that will let you set up a blog for free.  Registering a domain name and hosting your own site costs $$$.  Not a lot, but still something to consider.

I'd recommend you check out a site like blogger.com and see if that might suit your needs.

Blogger.com and Livejournal.com seem like the most popular and easy-to-use free blog sites.

Kelly, FSM

I created my own using www.freewebs.com.  You can buy a domain name, or leave ads on your page and have a site for free.  It's VERY easy to set up and if you have a Photobucket it's even easier as you can link your pictures to the site.  You can also add specialty pages like a blog or forum.  This is my own personal website if you care to check it out - http://www.freewebs.com/mhoekstra

I've enjoyed Wordpress.com, a free blog. Also, if you want to have a lot of interaction with members- forums, photo galleries, blogs, etc., consider Ning.com. It is especially good for clubs, modeling communities, etc.

Both have simple point and click interfaces that let you focus on content, and both are free.

Thank you to each and everyone of you for your responses. I weighed the input from each and looked at all of the recommendations. After a few nights of pondering, I decided to go with the "free web" site and am in the process of setting up my site.

Thanks again for all of your  input.