Website and Sitebuilder

[jalyons]

I'm not sure if "Fiber Experts" is the proper place to ask this but I can't find any answers anywhere on Verizon's site  ...
Is there a way to make a personal website without using the choices Verizon's SiteBuilder offers?  I had a website with Comcast that I would've LOVED to just transfer over, but wasn't sure how and got no answers or help from Verizon.  I have some experience with HTML and would much rather build my own site, but I've tried everything...even "start from scratch with a blank page" and am still forced to set it up the way the Sitebuilder says to with VERY few options of my own.  If anyone has any ideas (or can point me where to find them) on how to create my own site from scratch on Verizon rather than be forced to use their customizations, I would be SO grateful!

[Justin]

First, let me emphasize that I have not built my own Verizon webpage, I maintain one for a property owners association and that is enough work for a retiree!

Yes, it definitely appears you can do it yourself, without using SiteBuilder. I went to the Verizon Cental site, logged in, clicked on My Web Space, then scrolled down to Helpful Tools. Under that heading there is quite a bit of information about getting an account set up, using an FTP client to upload (or download) web pages, graphics, etc. In there it seems to me it very clearly states that using SiteBuilder is optional: "In order to get started, you'll need to establish your site and an FTP account by visiting the Site Builder homepage. Click on "Start Using Site Builder". Once you have gone through the initial set-up, you can continue to use Site Builder or begin using your FTP account. (The FTP "account" is part of your subscription package, and is available at no extra charge.)."

I think all you need to do is set up the account, then upload your existing pages and try it out.

Good luck!

[jalyons]

I'll be darned.  I'm always telling my husband, "Don't just jump in... R E A D   I N S T R U C T I O N S."   Looks like it bit me in the youknowwhat.  I looked & looked (and looked) for that ftp info after starting a site using sitebuilder when it was right there on the very first help page.  Thank you SO MUCH for pointing me in the right direction!  You saved me more sleepless nights.

[Justin]

You are welcome. Now are we going to get to see your site?

FWIW, "RTFM" ( Read the ******* Manual) is something I lived by for 35 or so years as a mainframe support person for IBM, so it just comes naturally to me to go look for/at available documentation first.

Again, good luck.

[jalyons]

You are welcome. Now are we going to get to see your site?

Unforturnately I'm so anal, it usually takes me weeks to do a day's project.  But I'll sure let you know!
Thanks for the help & encouragement.

[Justin]

Well, just out of curiosity I create a site for myself today and uploaded a stupid little webpage I created. Works just fine. I:

1) Ran Site Builder. There is nothing to it, other than to accept their terms and conditions. One little gotcha is that popups must be allowed for the website. When you accept the conditions, your site pops up with a default "under construction" page. The default page is named "index.htm".

2) I then used DreamWeaver to create a simple home page that I called "index.html" (I did this before I realized that Verizon decided that index.htm would be the home page).

3) I then ftp'ed my page to the site: ftpmysite.verizon.net

4) When I viewed my site I still saw the original page because I used  instead of .htm. I could have renamed the file, but instead I used the Update My Settings option to change the default home page name.

5) And bingo, it works.

Really pretty simple, and no need to use Site Builder other than to do the initial setup, which appears to only allocate your space, make you accept the T&C, and log you in.