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I'm writing some text for the website of my hosting company and I simply cannot figure this one out.

I currently have the following sentence:

We provide reliable hosting for creative professionals and X

I am very confused about X. I need a term for the following:

those who want their own website but do not have a creative professional hired, but rather handle everything on their own

Naturally, I cannot say:

We provide reliable hosting for creative professionals and non-technical people

Any help anyone?

My question is not a duplicate as the context is completely different. Normally this would not be a problem however in this case the term we're looking for is completely different than those already answered in the other question.

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  • When describing the process of explaining highly technical stuff to non-experts, I often call it translating the jargon into human.
    – bib
    Jul 25, 2015 at 21:36
  • Hmmm, trying to come up with an antonym for "techie" I first light on "stuckee". From there I drift off towards "schmuck". Not really satisfying the requirements, I suppose.
    – Hot Licks
    Jul 25, 2015 at 22:11
  • If you are contrasting the two then you seem to be suggesting by your question that creative = technical. Hmm.
    – Drew
    Jul 27, 2015 at 1:05
  • Hackers might say luser or lamer though they are too derogatory for what you need!
    – Silverfish
    Jul 28, 2015 at 22:44
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    Users are voting to close this question as a duplicate, but they're WRONG! Read the question in the body, the OP needs a word or expression for a non-expert
    – Mari-Lou A
    Jul 29, 2015 at 6:04

7 Answers 7

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We provide reliable hosting for creative professionals and for self-reliant clients / individuals.

Where the term self-reliant suggests a person or persons who have acquired a certain level of expertise without necessarily being professionals.

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  • I'm feeling so dumb now... 'individual' was exactly what I was looking for. Can't believe I didn't think of that! Accepted.
    – William
    Jul 29, 2015 at 9:41
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Here are my two grains of sand:

"... for creative professionals and enthusiasts alike"

"... for users of all levels, from beginners to creative professionals"

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  • enthusiasts is good
    – Avon
    Jul 25, 2015 at 21:05
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Any attempt to draw attention to their non-technical nature might be wrong (they might be very technically capable in other fields - just not websites) and, in any case, will inevitably have negative connotations to some (amateur, technophobe, noob, etc.).

Therefore, I suggest

We provide reliable hosting for creative professionals and the wider public

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You may refer to users:

User:

  • One who uses a computer, computer program, or online service. (AHD)
  • ....for creative professionals and other users.
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We provide reliable hosting for creative professionals and lay amateurs.

  • lay - (adj) - not trained in a certain profession : not having a lot of knowledge about a certain thing.

  • amateur - (noun) - one who engages in an art, science, study, or athletic activity as a pastime rather than as a profession.

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  • +1 -My first two thoughts, but I would say layperson or amateur.
    – W9WBH
    Aug 4, 2015 at 0:01
  • @W9WBH An amateur can be highly skilled, that's why the "lay".
    – Centaurus
    Aug 4, 2015 at 16:30
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Suggest:

'We provide reliable hosting for creative professionals and non-professionals alike.'

I am trying to emphasise equality of service provision, whether or not the client has a professional interest. I would read the sentence as saying the adjective, 'creative', applies to both types of client.

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technophobe

/ˈtɛknə(ʊ)fəʊb/

noun

noun: technophobe; plural noun: technophobes; noun: techno-phobe; plural noun: techno-phobes

a person who fears, dislikes, or avoids new technology.

https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=technophobe

The real problem IMO is your use of 'and'. It gives the impression you can't be professional and non-technical at the same time.

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    Thank you, but calling my customers that is a bit insulting, no?
    – William
    Jul 25, 2015 at 20:47
  • @WilliamD.Edwards - Oh absolutely it is. The problem is that your sentence is structured to insult anyone who comes after 'creative professionals'. Whatever you follow it with, you make them seem like non-creative amateurs.
    – chasly - supports Monica
    Jul 25, 2015 at 21:06

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