Just in case you would like to try your hand at building your own site, I thought I would wrtie this tutorial, and supply the links to other tutorials, software sites, and links of interest. Web Design is fun and I hope you enjoy this tutorial.If you would like to download how to get started on planning your page download site Planner.
1. Decide how your page should look.
2. Second pick out the graphics you would like to use on your page. A good reasonable web graphics editor that is simple for beginners is Corels Paint Shop Pro, you can find links to the tutorials and the software on the Link's Page.
3. A knowledge of HTML is almost essiential, even if you have a Wysiwyg editor. Tutorial links for beginning HTML along with tutorials for Javascripting, and for perl can be found on the Link's Page . OUTLOOK EXPRESS and other html email programs can be great wysiwyg editors for beginners. There are many stationery news groups where you can learn how to create webgraphics write simple scripts, and even beginning design at annexcafe news groups You can find links to them on the Link's Page here.
Some things to keep in mind, keep your page small, rule of thumb is to design a page that will load within 14 seconds at the slowest download, or you will lose page viewers. Keep your graphics small, and optimize them. If you have larger graphics, use the image slicer on your graphics program. You can also make your graphics to download progressively. Another no, no is sound on your site. This is fine for stationery (then it should have a low preset volume) or personal site. You can get a free sound editor for streaming sound here. IF you are doing a basic business page please, please no sound! It is unprofessional, and you will lose customers. Do not use underlining to emphasize text. People see text underlined, will automatically try to click on it to open a link. You can use italics to emphasize text, but keep that at a minimum. Keep all text in proper alignment on page. Try and keep your background light. This is a personal preference, but many people will not stay on a page that is too dark, or hard to read and you want to keep people on your page long enough for them on your page as long as possible, it is ok to remind people, or place a link for them to add your page to their favorites for future use. Don't use word processors to write HTML, it is not unusual for a word process to double or triple the size of your page, and cause it to load more slowly. If you are going to attempt to build more than one page, make sure you link your pages for easy navigation. Try to keep the same look and feel to all of your pages so they will be easily identified with you. Do not use all capital letters, or blinking script that hurts peoples eyes, or makes them think you are shouting at them. Background images are fine, as long as they tile correctly. To use one large background image is a no no. Different size monitors will display the image differently. Keep background images seamless for tiling. Always have links to other sites open in a blank page. That way your customers will not lose your site, by clicking on a link.
If you use a text editor such as HtmlKit, or windows notepad. You will need ftp (file transfer protocol) software to move your site from your computer to your server. You can find commercial ones and a free one on the Link's Page.
Now that your
page is finished, you need a server if your page is a business page. A few years ago, there were many sites giving away free personal space. Tripod, GeoCities are still free if you don't mind ads on your site. Other free sites with pop up ads are not worth the effort. Many will become angry with you if they have spyware that downloads on their computer, or popups on your page site. A great low cost personal server is Ipower web. This is a virtual server that will host your site, and register your domain name for a small fee.
Don't forget, to register your page with the search engines. Most of all have fun!
If you think that a full site is too much for you we are here just contact us and we can get you up and running in no time.
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