How to Create a Website

Creating a website is an excellent way to share your ideas and thoughts with the world. However, for beginners, it can be overwhelming. You'll encounter terms like 'http-something' and other technical jargon, not to mention uploading images and text. Don't worry, the following article will help you quickly grasp these complex concepts.

Find Inspiration. Look at websites with great designs and think about what makes them stand out. Often, it's the way information, sources, links, and pages are arranged in a visually appealing and user-friendly manner. To gather ideas for your own website's design, check out similar websites to see how they organize their content.

• Know your capabilities.
• Accessibility is key. If information is hard to find, make sure the process of locating it is straightforward and well-organized.
• Generally, simpler designs with fewer pages work best.

Choose a topic and purpose. If you already have a solid idea for the content your website will focus on, feel free to skip this step. If not, here are some suggestions to consider. First, understand that there are billions of people using the internet, and most of them have their own websites. If you restrict yourself to only creating something entirely new, you may never get started.

• When you think of the "internet," what comes to mind first? E-commerce? Music? News? Social media? Blogs? These are all great starting points.
• You could create a site dedicated to your favorite music band, with a space for fans to discuss the band.
• You could create a website about your family, but be cautious with such personal content. The internet is full of unsafe individuals, and information shared online could be used against you. Consider setting up a password for access to family-related pages.
• If you're a news junkie, or if you want more diverse content than traditional media provides, you could create a website to post articles from agencies like Reuters, BBC, or AP. Build your own online news aggregator (often called a "news website"), collecting all relevant news for digital consumption.
• If you're a skilled writer, you could start a blog where you share your thoughts and attract a regular audience each month!

Make a plan. Building a website is a commitment of both time and potentially money, so it's essential to set limits for both and focus on execution. Your plan doesn't have to be an elaborate spreadsheet or fancy graphic presentation, but you should at least think about what is necessary for you and your visitors, what content you'll include on the site, and how it will be organized.

Focus on content. There are different types of content, each serving its own purpose. You need to decide what content is best suited for your website and your needs. Here are some suggestions to consider:

• Store. If you plan to sell products, you need to figure out how you'll display them on your site. If you have a small inventory, you can combine your store with web hosting services. Well-known hosting platforms like Society6, Amazon, and Cafepress can help you sell multiple items and set prices for them.
• Media. Do you want to display videos? Music? Would you like to store your files yourself or keep them elsewhere? Platforms like Youtube and SoundCloud are excellent examples for storing media, but you need to ensure your website's design allows these types of media to function smoothly.
• Images. Are you a photographer or an artist? If you plan to upload your original photos, you might need to format them to avoid theft. Ensure that your images are relatively small in size and use Flash code to prevent easy copying.
• Widgets. These are small programs that run on your website, typically used to track visitors, what they're searching for, and where they come from. You can find widgets for appointment scheduling, running reminders, and more. Make sure you find widgets that are helpful, but ensure that the source is trustworthy.
• Contact information. Do you want to display your contact information on your website? For safety reasons, you should be cautious about sharing such details. You shouldn't display your home address or personal phone numbers, as this information could be used for identity theft. Consider creating a P.O. Box address or a special email address for people to reach out to you if you don't have a business address.

Create a flowchart. For many people, the website starts with the home page. This is the page visitors will see when they visit www.yourSite.com. But where do they go next? If you take a moment to think about how people will interact with your website, you’ll find it easier to create navigation buttons and links.

Plan for device compatibility. In recent years, smartphones and tablets have become increasingly popular operating systems for browsing the internet, and they require websites that are specifically designed for them. If you want your website to last and attract the most visitors, consider creating different versions for various devices or use a responsive design that adapts as needed.

Decide on the method or tools you will use to build your website. Once you have an idea and a plan in place, the next thing to think about is how to actually build the website. The options may seem endless, with people trying to sell you applications they claim are 'amazing,' and other things you 'must have' on your site. However, in reality, only a few tools are truly effective for building websites, and one of them will best suit your situation and needs.

Build the website yourself. This is the first option. If you have a web creation app like Adobe Dreamweaver, it’s not too difficult to start a website from scratch. You’ll need some code, but don’t be scared! HTML might seem complex at first, but just like reading Shakespeare—it’s tough initially, but once you get the hang of it, it’s not as hard as you think.

• Pros: Web design software makes building easier by allowing you to drag-and-drop images, text, buttons, videos, or anything else you can think of. You won’t need an in-depth knowledge of HTML. Many design apps also allow you to create mobile and tablet versions of your site. If you're creating a simple personal website, this is a great way to go.
• Cons: You’ll still need to do some research, even if you don’t need deep HTML knowledge. If you're in a rush, this might not be the best solution. The biggest con is that, if you're not a graphic design expert, you may end up with a cluttered-looking site. In short, there are plenty of free templates in apps and online, but you should know your skill level before you dive in!

Use a Content Management System (CMS). This is the second option. WordPress is a prime example of a CMS that allows you to quickly and easily create a website or blog, create menus, manage user comments, and offers thousands of themes and plugins that you can install for free. Drupal and Joomla are also excellent CMS options. When a CMS is hosted on a server, you can manage your site from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.

• Pros: It’s incredibly easy to use and quick to get started with just a click to install, and there are many options for beginners (as well as more advanced options for experienced users).
• Cons: Some themes have limited usage, and some require payment.

Build a website from scratch. This is the third option. If you decide to build your site from the ground up, you’ll need to use HTML and CSS. There are many ways to expand your HTML skills and add more features and depth to your site. If you’re developing a professional site, these tools will give you the advantage you need for any business project.

• CSS, short for "Cascading Style Sheets." CSS makes HTML formatting more flexible, allowing you to easily make changes like fonts, headings, and color schemes all in one place across your entire site.
• XHTML is a web standard set by W3C. It's similar to HTML but follows stricter formatting guidelines. This means there’s only a slight difference in the way you write code.
• Learn HTML5. This is the fifth version of the core HTML standard and will eventually replace HTML4 and XHTML.
• Learn client-side scripting languages like JavaScript. This will increase your ability to add interactive elements to your website, such as charts, maps, and more.
• Learn server-side scripting languages. PHP, ASP with JavaScript, VB Script, or Python can be used to change how your site displays to different users and allow you to edit or create forums. These also help store information about visitors like usernames, settings, and even "shopping carts" in e-commerce sites.
• AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a technology that uses both client-side and server-side scripting languages to allow your site to update information from the server without needing a page refresh. This will save users time and greatly improve their experience, although it may increase bandwidth usage. This is the ultimate solution for high-traffic websites or e-commerce sites.

Hire an Expert. This is the fourth and final option. If you're unable to design your own website or are unable to learn the new coding languages – especially for more complex sites – hiring an expert is your best bet. Before hiring, make sure to request to see their work portfolio and carefully verify their references.

Register a Domain Name. If you're on a budget, there are several affordable ways to purchase a domain name. Choose something easy to remember and spell. If the domain ends in .com, be prepared for a longer search, as most people prefer this format, so get creative!

• Look for reliable hosting solutions such as GoDaddy or Register.com in the US, and uk2.net if you're in the UK to help research and find the perfect domain for your site. WordPress also offers the option to use a name tied to your site, such as mywebsite.wordpress.com. However, if the name you choose is already taken with a .com extension, you will be warned during registration.
• You can also purchase a domain if it's “packaged” or available for sale online through e-commerce sites. It’s advisable to seek legal and financial counsel before investing in an expensive domain name.

Thoroughly Check the Website. Before officially launching your website, it’s important to double-check everything. Most website design software allows you to preview your website without going live. Ensure that all tags are present, there are no broken links, SEO is optimized, and there are no design errors. These are crucial elements that can affect your website traffic and potential earnings. You can also run a full site map with all functionalities for free to submit to search engines like Google within a few minutes.

Test the Website. Once you've completed building your website, it’s time to test it. You can do this by asking friends or family to try it out. Have them perform specific tasks such as "editing a profile" or "purchasing a sweater from a deals site." Sit next to them and observe how they navigate the site – don't assist them. You’ll likely notice areas that need browser improvements or clearer instructions. You can also use zurb.com to test how users interact with various interface designs. When testing a website in 2014, it's crucial to remember that your operating system should be compatible with smartphones, tablets, and laptops as well.

• Make a list of any elements that you find confusing or not intuitive for users.

Let's Launch the Website! Choose a hosting provider and upload your website. The host might offer FTP services, or you can use your own FTP program like FileZilla or CyberDuck. If you hire a web design expert, they should handle this for you (but you should still understand how it's done).

• Remember, there are plenty of free options available to host your website on a server.

Narrow down the concept. If you're building a website to earn money, which ideas will bring the highest returns? Which ones will require the most commitment? Which ones will be enjoyable to pursue? You'll need to dedicate time to building your website, so choose the idea you're most passionate about (it could be profitable and practical for you as well).

Set clear goals and work towards them. The website you create might be for fun, profit, or both. Knowing exactly what you want to achieve will make designing, tracking, and evaluating your progress much easier.

Be ready to compete. Informational websites with low investment tend to have more competition, as anyone can create them. To profit from such sites, you'll provide information and generate income through traffic, like with Google AdSense (a Google advertising service). To optimize AdSense, you’ll need to write targeted, engaging content. Use specific keywords that attract users searching for similar terms. Don’t overlook this aspect, or your content might suffer and your readers won’t appreciate it.

Be ready to take responsibility. E-commerce websites selling products require considerable attention and maintenance. You must manage shipping, sales, taxes, security protocols (SSL), stock updates, and all the tasks that a regular store would handle. A quick response system to address customer inquiries and complaints is essential for online sales; many companies also offer phone support that you can hire if needed.

• If your goal is to earn additional income, consider selling products through affiliate programs, which allow you to make money without investing in inventory or handling shipping.

Understand your audience or target market. Who will your website serve? Conduct market research to gain a better understanding of your audience. Key information to discover includes: What do they do? How old are they? What are their other interests? This data can help make your website more relevant. However, be cautious about assuming your website targets just one group—always stay alert to trends showing that other groups are beginning to take interest in your site, so you can adapt to their preferences and seize new opportunities.

Search for keywords. This is crucial for determining when people search for topics relevant to your website and for identifying potential customers. Focus your efforts on incorporating high-traffic keywords into your site to help improve your search engine ranking. Tools such as Google (google.com/trends/ and google.com/insights/search/#), Overture, and third-party software developers can simplify keyword research.

• Include your chosen keywords throughout the text on your site, but don’t overdo it as it can negatively affect content quality.
• Optimizing pages for search will make your site more visible, which is far more important than design. What good is a website that no one visits?

• People are often in a hurry. On average, it takes around 3-7 seconds to grab their attention, so be mindful of what they see first when they visit your website. To reduce loading times, avoid using too many graphics. Compress them if possible. Limit the use of advanced technologies like JavaScript, Flash, and Streaming Audio/Video unless absolutely necessary for your presentation.
• If you sell products that users can find via search engines, make sure that those products are the first thing they see when they visit your website. The more you encourage visitors to click, the more likely they are to explore additional content on your site.
• If you hire experts to code a complex website, remember that developers aren’t necessarily graphic designers. Attractive websites are often created by or with the help of graphic design professionals. The best advice, especially for professional websites, is to use the right people for the right tasks: designers handle the look and feel of the site; developers handle the backend to make the site function; marketing experts ensure the site is positioned properly; and copywriters handle rewriting content.
• Check out popular websites, even if you don’t find them particularly useful, and use them as models. What makes these sites stand out? What’s interesting about their layout, content, or navigation? Incorporate the insights you gain from these sites into your own website and tweak them to your liking.
• Start with the basics, practice, and improve—don’t expect your first attempts to be flawless. Don’t rush the process.
• If you plan to sell on your site, you need to be ready to accept secure credit card payments. You can sign up for a business account with transaction fees or use free services like PayPal. Always read the fine print carefully. Keep in mind that many credit agreements require you to provide guarantees for lost or damaged products (so be sure to research insurance options as well).

• Never violate the trust of your website visitors. Respect their privacy. Spam (unwanted messages), annoying pop-ups, and irrelevant ads will damage your credibility. A transparent privacy statement is key to building trust. Provide a clear link to your privacy policy on every page of your site and any place where you request personal information from visitors. Include valid contact information on your site. If you need to use ads, explain the reason to your visitors and show them you’re doing your best to make their experience smoother. And take it seriously!
• If you use content from another website, whether it’s an image, JavaScript, or anything else, always ask for permission and express your gratitude. Failing to do so could lead to legal action.
• Remember, never delete your account details (like username, password, etc.). If you lose them, you won’t be able to run your website. More importantly, don’t share these details with anyone (except for your website address).
• Don’t get too fixated on the “latest advice” found on promotional websites. While some advice may be helpful, much of it is not. Marketing is not a science—it’s a continually evolving experience. You are the best judge of how well your promotional strategies are working (or not working). Listening to users and learning from their experiences is the most effective approach.