  How To Organize
And Make A Website
-
- Introduction:
- Ok, you have an idea and a vision for sharing your knowledge
on the web. As long as you have a little patience, and an attitude
to stick with it, even you can create a web site. You don't have
to know HTML, although it is helpful. You don't have to be a
computer artist, just be resourceful. You don't have to be a
computer programmer; you just need some of the same tools they
use.
-
- Don't be afraid of getting started. It really is easy to
make your own website. The hardest part is having an idea, deciding
what you want to say and what you want to share.
-
- Gather Together:
- · An Idea
- · A HTML Editor
- · A Graphics Editor
- · A Web Browser
- · A File Transfer Tool
- · A Domain Name
- · A Hosting Service
-
 Step 1:
- Organize Your Website:
- Before you can begin creating your site, you should have
an idea about how it should be organized. Make some simple storyboard
drawings on a few pieces of paper. Decide how you want your content
to flow from the main page(s) down to your detailed postings
(or pages).
-
- Create Your Web Environment:
- You're ready to get onto your computer and begin the set-up
details of your site's creation. Before you begin creating your
first web page or image, you should create a web environment
on your PC. This environment is really just an organized set
of directories on your PC that you will also use when you transfer
your site to your web host.
-
- Step 2:
- Gather Your Tools:
 An HTML Editor will help you create
your page. There are a number of good tools for beginners. Dreamweaver
is one of the best. Stay away from MS Frontpage!
-
- You'll need a graphics package to help you create and format
the pictures for your website. DO NOT use large file images and
then resize them on your webpage. You're adding loading time
to your page and people won't wait for the picture to be displayed.
You'll need a graphics package that will resize your images to
about 350x350. I personally love PaintShop Pro.
-
- All PCs come with a web browser these days. Even though you'll
be able to see your page in your HTML editor, most will load
a little differently in a browser. So you should have both to
view your page and make sure it's going to look the way you want
it to.
-
-
- Step 3:
- Once you have your web site created on your PC, you'll need
a place to put it.
-
- Registering Your Domain Name:
- There are many places who do this now. But for my money,
I stick with Network Solutions (netsol.com). I have more control
over my domain and I can host it where I want, instead of where
the registrar wants.
-
- Finding A Host:
- Of course you want a host that will give you a decent amount
of space, file transfer speeds, maintain a good up time, provide
support when you need it and offers add on services as you expand;
all for a decent and cheap price. I host all my client sites
at WebNetHosting (webnethosting.net).
-
- Step 4:
- Uploading Your Site:
- Lastly you need a file transfer program that allows you to
login to your domain and upload your files. I recommend WS-FTP.
It's FREE and can be downloaded from ipswitchftp.com.
-
- Maintenance:
- Once your site is up and running you have to maintain it.
Keep it up to date and interesting for your visitors. One of
the first things you should do is go to various search engines
and submit your site to be included in their portfolio. I recommend
you start with Google.com
-
- For More Information:
- SpringWolf Designs - How
To Design Your Own Site
-
- Additional Tips:
- For detailed information to create your own site, visit my
Tips & Tricks @ http://springwolf.com/designs/tips/tips.htm
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