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How to Create a Website

Mar 3

If you are planning on creating your own website, then there is some information that you should know before getting started. Creating a web site can be an intimidating task for many people and it is important to have a clear understanding of what you want from the end product so that you don't get overwhelmed by all of the options available to you. Once you decide exactly what you need from your new home online, you will find that things become much easier as you move forward with designing your website. There are several different ways in which you can go about building your business' presence on-line and each has its pros and cons. The best way to determine how effective your chosen method is going to be depends largely upon what type of content you wish to include, who your target audience is and where you plan to direct them once they arrive at your page. In order to help guide you through this process we've compiled a list of steps that every beginner needs to follow when deciding how to create their first website.

Step 1) Determine Your Purpose - This may seem like a rather basic step but if you haven't already thought out why you would need a website or what you hope to accomplish with one, than you probably won't come up with any good ideas until later. You must think about your goals and objectives because these two factors will influence everything else that follows. If you're not sure why anyone would visit your site or what types of services you offer, try asking yourself questions such as "What do I sell?" or "Who am I trying to reach?". These sorts of questions can give you great insight into the direction you should take your site's design. Keep in mind that no matter which path you choose to follow, you always need to make sure that your visitors leave feeling satisfied after visiting your pages. One thing that most beginning designers often forget is that just because someone visits your page doesn't mean that they'll buy anything from you! It simply means that they were interested enough to stop by.

Step 2) Decide On A Name For Your Site -  While choosing a name for your domain is something that seems very simple, it can actually turn out to be quite difficult depending upon the amount of competition that exists within your niche market. When naming your site keep in mind that you shouldn't use words that sound similar to others (for example using the word 'web' instead of 'website'). Also avoid names that sound too generic since people might mistake your site for another person's even though your URL could easily stand alone without being accompanied by a descriptive title. Other things to consider include making sure that it isn't trademarked or copyrighted by other parties, having multiple variations of possible domains to pick from and keeping in mind that you want to use keywords that relate directly to your main niche. Finally, you should also set aside time to research potential sites that you may compete against and see whether or not their titles contain relevant keywords that apply specifically to your field of expertise.

Step 3) Register Your Domain And Choose Hosting Provider - Choosing a hosting provider is only half of the battle; you still need to register your domain name. Most hosts provide domain registration services however you should check to ensure that you aren't paying extra fees for features that you are unlikely to ever utilize. Some providers charge upwards of $10 per month for domain renewal while others may ask you to pay hundreds more dollars during setup. Always shop around and compare prices between various companies to ensure you receive the absolute lowest rates. Since setting up a blog is usually necessary for almost everyone today, you will need a host who offers blogging capabilities. Many companies now allow users to install WordPress blogs right onto their servers thereby eliminating the need to purchase separate software packages. Another benefit associated with installing Wordpress on your server is that updates can be downloaded automatically allowing you to fix bugs quickly and efficiently.

Once you have registered your domain and purchased hosting space, you will next need to configure your hosting account. As mentioned earlier, many hosting providers include applications that enable you to post blogs straight onto your server. However, if you are technically savvy enough to perform the installation yourself, you may opt to skip this step altogether. Instead you can download free scripts that will work perfectly well for posting a blog. After downloading these files you can upload them to your server via FTP. Then open up a standard HTML text editor and copy/paste the code provided. Make certain that you save the file containing the script along with any instructions included inside as soon as possible so that you don't lose access to either the configuration settings or login details. Next log into your control panel and select 'My Sites.' Under 'Edit,' locate the section labeled 'Add New Entry' and click the green button located near the bottom of the screen. Fill out the form fields in accordance with the specifications provided. Be aware that your final entry will appear under the root directory of your public html folder. Now repeat this procedure for additional entries. Don't worry about overloading your server with dozens of websites; remember that all of your accounts will reside on the same machine. Having said that, be careful that you don't accidentally delete existing files due to problems with permissions.

Step 4) Install Web Software Or Tools To Build Your Page(s). - So far, you've been working primarily with HTML documents but if you prefer using tools that automate tasks, there are plenty of programs available that will let you build your entire site without lifting a finger. Examples of popular web authoring platforms include Xanga, Squidoo, HubPages, Myspace, Blooger and Typepad. Each program provides unique advantages and disadvantages that you should evaluate carefully prior to signing up. Generally speaking, you should look for a platform that is easy to navigate and makes it relatively painless to add pictures, videos and links. Remember that search engines generally favor sites that feature lots of original content so including multimedia elements helps boost relevancy. Additionally, you should also strive to develop relationships with other members in forums related to your particular topic. By interacting with others you can gain valuable feedback and advice regarding issues that arise throughout the development phase of your project.

As previously stated, there are numerous methods available to those wishing to create their own website. Hopefully our article has helped shed light on the general procedures involved in developing your own personal portal. All in all, learning how to create a website requires patience, persistence and creativity. With proper guidance and motivation anyone can achieve success regardless of experience level. Good luck!