Five Steps to Creating and Posting Your Own Custom Web Site

Youve heard of the HTML gland havent you?

You bet, its right behind your left ear. Next to that little hollow spot above your jaw. Cant find it?

Try tapping that hollow spot. Thats it.

Did you feel it? If you tap it just right youll notice some animation around your lips. Tap a bit harder and youll even detect the definite aroma of Java.

Still nothing? Obviously there is a problem with your ASP (pardon me), and your interface with the server (he brings the tea right?) is not formatted properly.

All right, thats enough fun. The preceding goofiness is to illustrate a point...

We are not born Web smart. While it may appear from all the techie talk that you need the "Internet gene" to be a player on the Web, you dont.

You see, the techies have made it easy for the not-so-techie types to play also. So until the day comes when your HTML gland decides to behave, lets check out the five steps to creating and posting your own website.

1. Pre-Plan Your Site

Start by writing out the answer to these questions:

> What is the major theme of my site?

If you answer this with "to make lots of money" youll need a big dose of Internet gene therapy. Keeping a central focus results in getting visitors to your site that are *interested* in your product or service. Unless your site is "Bobs Rent-All" youll want to avoid looking like a flea market.

> Who are my visitors?

Your visitors are your Target Group. Take time to understand who your visitors are and what their needs are.

> How will I capture the attention of my visitors?

Youll have only a few seconds to show your visitors that theyre in the right place. Come up with answers to the following questions your visitors will ask about your site...

- Who are you?
- What is your site about?
- What do you have for me?
- Why should I stay and browse your site?

2. Lay Out a Basic Site Design on Paper

Start with your home page. Keep it simple and dont be afraid of white space. Make sure your content adheres to your answers in step 1. Then draw out a few pages to link from your home page. These might include a Products page, FAQ page, Order page, and so on. Dont get bogged down here, just keep it simple.

3. Put Your Design On Your Computer

This can be quite intimidating for the new webmaster. But remember, since our HTML gland is out for lunch, well use the tools set before us by the "smart ones." Therefore, its a good idea to use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) design program.

Mind you, a few of the "smart ones" would not agree with this choice, since WYSIWYGs tend to produce excess html coding. But were just getting started. We can live with excess for now! Programs such as Microsofts FrontPage are suitable for the beginner.
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/

Another good program is Allaires HomeSite. They call it a What You See Is What You Need interface. It produces clean html, but its helpful to have some basic coding knowledge with this program. Learn more at:
http://www.allaire.com/products/homesite/

4. Select a Company to Host Your Site

Your host will keep your pages on their computer. A good host will keep a 24 hour connection to the web with phone lines that operate at fast speeds.

How do you select a good host for your site?

In addition to reliable and fast connections to the web, you should insist on a host with 24/7 support services. Simply put, when you call with a problem, they have an immediate solution. Theres is nothing worse than a host that cant come through in a pinch. Have a quick look at this article and youll see what I mean:
http://www.homebiztools.com/crash.htm

5. Transfer Your Pages To Your Web Host

This is accomplished with an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) program. Sounds scary I know, but its a pretty harmless procedure. One of the more popular programs is CuteFTP.
This is the program I use. It has an easy drop and drag interface that makes uploading a snap. http://www.cuteftp.com

There you have it! Why not get started right now? You know, Ill just bet that if you reach up and give a few quick taps to that HTML gland... you remember... behind the left ear... thats right... youll begin to detect the ever-so-faint, yet distinct, scent of Java!

© 2001 Brett Krkosska

About the Author

Brett Krkosska provides how-to advice on family and home-based work issues. Stop by his site for startup guidance, home business ideas and inspiration at: homebiztools.com For a Fresh and Original perspective on todays home business issues get Bretts ezine at: homebiztools.com

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