How to Build a Website

March 16, 2008

Websites are used for many things on the Internet. From selling products to a page about your dog, a website is your place on the Internet. The goal of this article is to provide a brief overview and introduction to everything you need to build a website.

This article is broken up into 7 posts, and organized as follows:

Part 1 - Planning your Website

Before you get into registering, creating and promoting your website, it’s best to have a plan in place for your site. Planning ahead can save you a lot of time down the road.

Selecting a Topic

First of all, select a topic for your website. Make sure the topic you select for your site is a topic you would enjoy talking and writing about. The topic can be anything from the job you do for a living, to a hobby you enjoy on the weekends. I have selected to write about everything you’d need to know to develop and promote a website, because that’s what I love to do. I do this in my job and on my own time.

Website Design and Layout

Make sure to consider the look of your website in the planning process. A professionally designed website will send the message that you’re serious about what you do. Each person has their own opinion about a good looking site. I’ve always tried to blend simplicity with functionality without distracting the website visitor from the purpose of the website.

Usability

The website design and layout are certainly part of usability, but there’s more to it than that. Navigation is very important in web design. A visitor to your site must be able to find what they’re looking for, or else they’ll leave frustrated.

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