by 3 people |
So you want to build a website?
In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg created the first movable type printing press. From that point in history to today, the "power of the press" has been a major force in world communication. And in the late 20th century the Internet leveled the playing field for everyone. Now it became easy for anyone with a computer and a little motivation to become an author with a worldwide reach.
Today it is simple to publish your opinions, interests and expertise to the world. Billions of pages of information have been posted to the Internet and now it is your turn! You have decided that you want to provide the world with your personal point of view on the things that matter to YOU! Maybe you have already published a web page. Maybe you already have your own website. Or maybe you are just getting started.
No matter what level of experience you possess, the goal of this lens is to provide you with information on building websites. We will talk about how to select a subject for your website, what tools you need to build your first (or next) website, how to structure your website, how to promote your new or existing website and any other topics that you feel are important in building websites.
The important ingredient in the success of this lens it YOU! Your contributions, your suggestions, your imagination and your successes will help this lens become a powerful tool that will help others to succeed. It doesn't matter if you are new to website design or a veteran; everyone has something to offer to the success of this project.
Today it is simple to publish your opinions, interests and expertise to the world. Billions of pages of information have been posted to the Internet and now it is your turn! You have decided that you want to provide the world with your personal point of view on the things that matter to YOU! Maybe you have already published a web page. Maybe you already have your own website. Or maybe you are just getting started.
No matter what level of experience you possess, the goal of this lens is to provide you with information on building websites. We will talk about how to select a subject for your website, what tools you need to build your first (or next) website, how to structure your website, how to promote your new or existing website and any other topics that you feel are important in building websites.
The important ingredient in the success of this lens it YOU! Your contributions, your suggestions, your imagination and your successes will help this lens become a powerful tool that will help others to succeed. It doesn't matter if you are new to website design or a veteran; everyone has something to offer to the success of this project.
Setup a Great Website Fast!
This is the express version on how to setup a web site. If you're in a hurry and want to get started NOW, then just follow along. (Disclaimer: Remember at the "devil is in the details" and this section of the lens is only outlining this process at a high level.) We're going to assume that you already have the subject and site planning completed, so let's get started shall we?
Part #1: Critical tools you need to build a web site:
The tools you use will determine the quality of the site. Software Tools are not created equally so choose wisely. Though there are literally thousands of tools out there, if you are just getting started we suggest you use the following tools (all are free downloads and the links provided are to the download page for the tool):
A Web Site Editor - like Namu6 (for PC only) or nVu is useful for both Windows and Apple Mac's. nVu is a bit more complicated though, so don't say I didn't warn you. A Graphics Editor - Microsoft Paint will work for beginners using PC's or for Mac users there is the Apple Works Draw program. AN FTP Client - Smart FTP is a lot like Windows Explorer and Fetch is a great tool for the Mac users.
Start by downloading the software. Once you have it downloaded and installed on your computer, move on to part two.
Part #1: Critical tools you need to build a web site:
The tools you use will determine the quality of the site. Software Tools are not created equally so choose wisely. Though there are literally thousands of tools out there, if you are just getting started we suggest you use the following tools (all are free downloads and the links provided are to the download page for the tool):
Start by downloading the software. Once you have it downloaded and installed on your computer, move on to part two.
Part #2: Assembling Your Site
Now that you have some tools to work with, you're almost ready to build your site. Like building a house, you need to have a plan. The best website plan is focused on one theme or idea. Choose a subject you are familiar with.
Start with a small site of no more than five or six pages. Each page should be targeted to one sub-theme related to your main theme. For example, if your site was related to dogs your site structure could look like this:
--> Theme Page #1 -->
--> Theme Page #2 -->
Home Page --> Theme Page #3 --> Site Map
--> Theme Page #4 -->
--> Theme Page #5 -->
A great way to practice building pages of content is by creating a lens here on Squidoo. Once you have your site content (the pictures and text you developed related to your theme), you need to select a web host.
More on web hosts soon...
Now that you have some tools to work with, you're almost ready to build your site. Like building a house, you need to have a plan. The best website plan is focused on one theme or idea. Choose a subject you are familiar with.
Start with a small site of no more than five or six pages. Each page should be targeted to one sub-theme related to your main theme. For example, if your site was related to dogs your site structure could look like this:
--> Theme Page #1 -->
--> Theme Page #2 -->
Home Page --> Theme Page #3 --> Site Map
--> Theme Page #4 -->
--> Theme Page #5 -->
A great way to practice building pages of content is by creating a lens here on Squidoo. Once you have your site content (the pictures and text you developed related to your theme), you need to select a web host.
More on web hosts soon...
Useful Web Site Editing Software that is Free!
When you build something, the quality of the product depends not only on the quality of the ingredients, but also on the quality of the tools used. Here is a sampling of some good tools your should have in your web site building arsenal that are FREE!
Note: The links below will take you directly to the products download page!
Note: The links below will take you directly to the products download page!
- Namu6 Web Site Editor
- The Namu6 web site editor is a complete and simple to use web site editor. This tool is recommended for anyone who wants to get a web site up fast and doesn't have any knowledge of HTML. All you need to do to build a site with this package is point and click. If you know how to use a word processor, you can easily use this software.
- Nvu - The Complete Web Authoring System
- nVu is a simple in-place WYSIWYG HTML/Web site editor. It is simple to use and best of all, the FTP client is built in. The only downfall of nVu is its ability to edit your pages live. This isn't recommended as you could easily ruin the integrity of a page on your site while others are viewing it. However, using a simple strategy you could easily avoid letting publicly viewed pages always look proper.
- CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software
- This software package contains a large group of tools that can be used to create extensive web sites. If you have a good understanding of HTML and site construction it will give you nearly everything you need to develop a great web site. If your a beginner, you might want to choose a more automated software package or a content management system (CMS) that has a WYSIWIG editor.
Free Web Site Hosting
Great services for getting your online presence started
Once you have completed development of your website, you need somewhere to put it. Just like when you build a house, you need a site to put the structure on. Think of web hosts as digital land where your site can reside.
- HostFreeWeb.com - Host your website for absolutely free! No Banner/Text/Link Ads
- Most free website hosting comes at a price - banner ads, pop ups, or other nags. Host free web simply provides FREE web hosting. What more can you ask for!
- Microsoft Office Live
- Free web hosting from Microsoft. The free service provided is what you would expect from a company the size of Microsoft. They include a free domain registration with their services.
You Can't Succeed Without Education
Your web sites success depends on your education. You could spend hours searching the Internet for information on building websites. Or you could invest a few dollars in yourself and purchase reference material that will provide for your lasting education.
Building Web Sites All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009) 
Design-It-Yourself: Web Sites: A Step-by-Step Guide (Design It Yourself)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Creating Web Sites: The Missing Manual
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 12/25/2009)
Your chance to help THOUSANDS succeed on the web!
Fellow Squidizens; we need your input! We would like to know what content is important to you to assist you in getting the information that is important to you on building websites.To do this, we have put together a short, easy questionnaire asking you what information is important for you to build a successful website.
Please take a minute to complete our questionnaire. Your valuable answers will be transformed into information in the near future that will help not only you build a successful website, you will be helping hundreds or potentially thousands of others as well.
Please answer the questions as completely as you can. The information you provide now will help in developing high quality content for YOUR lens and great future resource on building websites.
To answer a question, click the "Submit your own blurb" button and enter your answer as completely as you can. Thousands of others are depending on your answers...so step up and help!
Question #1: What is your most important question on building websites?
Our intent is to make the content of this lens user driven. Please take a moment and let us know what is information is important to you when building a website. Click "Submit Your Own Blurb" now!
submit
-
Reply
- ank ank Jun 21, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
- Hi sitesage, great lens . I have also created my lens This will give insight on How to Use Private Label Videos to Make Money. Here's Your Chance To Own Private Label Rights to Top Quality Videos created by me. You can Build YOUR Affiliate Marketing Sales, Build your List, Resell them, and much more
To get more info
Click Here.
Question #2: What information on building websites is the most difficult for you to find?
We want to solve your website building challenges. Take a minute and tell us what your are having the most difficulty finding. This way we can put it all in one place for your consumption. Click "Submit Your Own Blurb" now!
submit
Question #3: What other website related topics to would you like to see on this lens?
Knowing what topics are of importance to you will help us build your knowledge. Dig in and help us help you build the best websites by letting us know what topics matter to you!
submit
Question #4: What method of delivery do you prefer we provide the information in?
Let us know how you would like us to deliver the information we will deliver. There are several ways to provide the information and we want to know the way you think is best! Click "Submit Your Own Blurb" now!
submit
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions regarding building websites. In the next 30 days, we will be compiling the answers and developing the content for YOUR lens on how to build websites. Click "Submit Your Own Blurb" now!
by sitesage
SiteSage is a mild manner IT Manager by day and a blossoming Internet Marketer by night. He believes that when you help others succeed in realizing t...
(more)Explore related pages
Authority Site Building- Welcome to my Authority Site Building lens at Squidoo. Here you'll learn exactly...
Website Tips ~ Share Yours!- Website tips on everything you ever wanted to know about building a successful w...
How to Build a Professional Looking Website in Minutes- The Simplest Web Site Building System on the Internet Have you ever wanted a web...
Website Building- One thing that stops people from having their own profitable online business is...
How to Build A Website that gets CLICKS!- The importance of the visual presentation of the information on your site cannot...
How to Build a Website to Make Money- There are numerous ways to build a website but to make a website which is both f...
