| Many of us today find it hard to think of life before | | | | - Where should the primary page links be? |
| computers and the internet. Yet, there is still a lot of | | | | - Will there be secondary links and/or drop down |
| confusion about the infrastructure of a website and | | | | menus? |
| what it takes to design, create and maintain one. This | | | | - How will the logo be incorporated? |
| article outlines the basic steps to help you learn how | | | | Needless to say, this is a very important step in the |
| to make a website. | | | | process, as the look of the entire site will depend |
| Domain NameThe best place to start the process is | | | | upon the decisions made here. Unless you are an |
| with a name for your site; a domain name. The most | | | | experienced web designer, your company or |
| popular domains are dot-com names (.com). Also high | | | | organization will undoubtedly benefit from using a |
| on popularity are dot-net (.net), dot-org (.org), plus | | | | professional web design company for this phase. |
| many others including dot-info (.info), dot-biz (.biz) and | | | | Graphics and design is where art meets form. |
| dot-us (.us). | | | | Creating Template PagesOnce the Graphics and |
| Unless you are looking for a very unique name, most | | | | Design step has been completed and approved by |
| combinations of one or two common English words | | | | the client, a template page is usually created. Often |
| with the famed dot-com tag at the end are already | | | | there are different templates used for the home |
| claimed. This is where creativity may be required to | | | | page, and for other pages; but the idea here is to |
| find ways to make your domain name unique. To | | | | create a working model that can be used for page |
| start searching for your domain name you'll need to | | | | layout. One key advantage of using template pages |
| go to a domain registrar such as Network Solutions. | | | | is changes universal to the site, such as the |
| Registering a domain name works essentially like a | | | | information in the header or footer, can be changed |
| lease, granting you permission to use the name as | | | | once on a single form, rather than changing many |
| long as you maintain the nominal annual fees to keep | | | | individual pages. |
| it registered. | | | | Page LayoutHaving a completed script is certainly a |
| A good domain name should be short, but still reflect | | | | tremendous head start for web page layout; but |
| your website; you want your visitors to remember | | | | creating a well laid out web page involves more than |
| their way back. Avoid using initials (unless they are as | | | | cut-and-paste. There are many nuances that must be |
| well known as CBS or NBC). Avoid hyphenation if | | | | worked out in the process of converting from a |
| possible or overly long names. A good domain name | | | | word processor to a HTML page. Emphasizing |
| is memorable and easy on the tongue. The best test | | | | headlines, creating bullet points, establishing boundaries |
| is to find several good candidates and test them by | | | | around photos and designing the flow of a page is all |
| speaking the names out loud. How easy are they to | | | | part of the process. |
| communicate, and to spell? How well do they | | | | Cascading Style SheetsCascading Style Sheets, or |
| represent the mission of your site? | | | | CSS for short are valuable tools for the competent |
| In some cases, it may be advantageous to purchase | | | | web designer. They provide the instruction set that |
| a domain name that someone else has the rights to. | | | | defines the color, size, position and other parameters |
| The fees for this type of transfer of ownership can | | | | of each class of text, graphics and other elements |
| command some hefty fees though. Bidding usually | | | | on a website. The CSS can also create challenges for |
| starts around $500, but the right name can fetch a | | | | the designer, as different browser editions will display |
| million dollars or more. | | | | a page differently than the others. This means that |
| Organization and Research | | | | provisions and workarounds are frequently required in |
| Once the domain name is secured, the next step is | | | | order to maintain a consistent look and feel across |
| to create an outline. | | | | various platforms. |
| - Start by creating a list of the ideas to be covered | | | | Form Pages and Programming Form pages are used |
| - Group the ideas into major categories that will | | | | to collect information or to do other jobs on a web |
| become web pages | | | | page. Examples include: |
| - Look at similar or competitive sites for more ideas | | | | - Email forms that protect the recipient from SPAM |
| - Think about how you want your site to look | | | | - Information forms for collecting data such as name, |
| - Think of photos or illustrations that will best | | | | address, phone, etc. |
| complement your message | | | | - Calculation forms to add, multiply or perform more |
| - Find and document examples of web sites that you | | | | complex equations |
| like the best | | | | - Upload forms allowing users to send attachment |
| - Sort these ideas into a finished outline | | | | More complex forms are possible such as applications, |
| Here are some web design samples that may help | | | | and ecommerce Upon submitting a form multiple |
| you as you consider your options. All of this | | | | actions can be taken such as sending an email to the |
| organization and research may sound a lot like what | | | | website administrator, in addition to sending an |
| you learned in English class you were paying attention | | | | automated response to the sender. |
| weren't you? | | | | Email@ |
| Selecting KeywordsKeywords are a group of words | | | | One of the benefits of having a dedicated domain is |
| that best describe the topic of your site. They are | | | | the ability to keep the same email address, regardless |
| the group of words your customers would use to | | | | of who your internet service provider (ISP) is. If |
| find you in a web search. For example, if you sell | | | | you're ever had to switch from one ISP to another |
| eyeglasses, and you only use the words "eyeglasses" | | | | you know what I mean. The ability to set up nearly |
| to describe your products but your potential | | | | limitless email addresses can provide the capacity for |
| customer searches for "prescription lenses" or | | | | your organization to grow without fear of running out |
| "designer frames" your website will probably not be | | | | of names. |
| found. | | | | E-Commerce Web SiteIf you want to sell your wares |
| Finding the best and most popular keywords and | | | | on the internet you may be ready for an ecommerce |
| using them effectively is a vital part of driving more | | | | solution. This will allow you to reach an audience 24/7 |
| traffic to your site. For best results you should use a | | | | that may otherwise be inaccessible to your goods |
| keyword research tools like Wordtracker. | | | | and services. Once your shopping cart solution is in |
| Wordtracker can compile a list of terms people | | | | place; listing photos, descriptions and prices of your |
| search for, indicate how often they are searched for, | | | | products are only the start. A successful ecommerce |
| and even help you discover keywords you may not | | | | site is tuned to achieve the best conversion rate, |
| have considered. Developing a database of customer | | | | making sure that each step along the buying process |
| searched keywords will help to focus the efforts of | | | | is comfortable and assuring to your shoppers. |
| the next step most successfully; the script. | | | | Page OptimizationA good web site should be |
| Writing The ScriptWriting a script for the web is not | | | | optimized for:o Quick downloads of pictures, graphics, |
| like writing a book. Most people will read at least a | | | | and other elementso Good navigation that is easy to |
| chapter of a book before giving up. Web pages | | | | understando Logical organization and grouping of |
| however, are not treated the same. After all there | | | | pageso Good page names making information easy |
| are just too many choices! We live in a "sound bite" | | | | to findo Good titles and subtitles to allow quick |
| world and surfing the net is no different. When a | | | | information scanning |
| visitor comes to your web page you have between | | | | Web Server or Web HostThe Web Server is the real |
| five and ten seconds to impress them that they are | | | | computer where your web site is stored. It could be |
| in the right place before they reach for the back key | | | | in your office. It could be provided by your web |
| on their browser to search out the next candidate. | | | | developer, a web host service in your town, or |
| Your web pages need a clear and easily understood | | | | hundreds of miles away. Since it is connected to |
| message with interesting graphics, good pictures and | | | | computer users from around the world, it's really not |
| a great script. | | | | so important. What is important is: |
| A great script on the web is short, to the point and | | | | - Is it fast? Will it allow multiple users access at the |
| broken up into easy to digest pieces. It is filled with | | | | same time? |
| keywords pertinent to your topic, but not to the | | | | - Is it well connected? Can the photos and videos be |
| detriment of your message. Effective use of | | | | efficiently downloaded? |
| headlines, sub-headers, bold or italicized phrases, links, | | | | - Is it secure and safe from hackers and intruders? |
| bullet points and other lists all can work together to | | | | - Is it backed up? What if the power goes off? |
| make your message stand out and tell the story. The | | | | Website Updates and Maintenance |
| headline can also be a creative tool to capture the | | | | A good web site is one that changes on a regular |
| desired attention. | | | | basis. Depending on the design, these updates can be |
| Whew, don't despair! The best way to start the | | | | made by the average user or performed by your |
| process of script writing is to go back to the outline. | | | | web developer. Your site should reflect: |
| Write the first draft and then start refining the | | | | - New products being added |
| results. Don't forget about other things already | | | | - New announcement being made |
| written like brochures, flyers, and other advertising. | | | | - A shift in policy or direction |
| This may provide a better base to build upon, while | | | | - New employees added |
| generating fresh ideas in the process. | | | | Big projects being completed Your web site is your |
| Like the sculptor who chips away stone to create a | | | | communication tool with the world. In order to |
| beautiful statue one hammer stroke at a time. Great | | | | maintain the interest of viewers it needs to stay |
| scripts are written very much the same way. Read | | | | fresh with new information all of the time. This is also |
| through, change and improve again and again. When | | | | key to creating better content, and better content is |
| you think you are done read your script out loud. | | | | key to being highly ranked by search engines. The |
| Keep working until the desired result is there. | | | | more highly ranked your site is the more likely you |
| All About LinksThere are two basic types of links on | | | | are to be found by your customers. |
| a website; forward links and backward links. Simply | | | | Website Advertising and PromotionThe best website |
| put, forward links connect to other pages and sites. | | | | in the world will not be found without doing |
| In order to be useful the links should be relevant to | | | | something to get the word out. Using good |
| your topic. Create links to professional organizations | | | | keywords, getting links to your site, and making |
| you belong to, equipment or software related to | | | | regular changes to your content are good choices to |
| your topic, or articles of interest to your readers. Use | | | | promote and raise the visibility of your site, but those |
| your imagination. | | | | methods take time. A much quicker method is |
| Backward links are links from other sites to you. | | | | through the use of pay-per-click campaigns. |
| Again, the key is to have relevant information about | | | | Pay-per-click advertising is provided by the major |
| your topic on the page with a link to your site. | | | | search engines such as Google, Yahoo, MSN and |
| Possible sources are web directories, blog links, forum | | | | others. It is a fast track method to buy visibility on |
| posts or social networks such as and | | | | the first page for searches pertinent to your content |
| Why are links so valuable? They make your web site | | | | or chosen keywords. The basic steps to create a |
| more important to search engines like Google and | | | | pay-per-click campaign are: |
| Yahoo. The more backward links you have from | | | | - Select keywords that your customers might use to |
| pertinent sources, and forward links to relevant | | | | search for your services |
| information, the better your site will be ranked; and | | | | - Set a geographic area for your ads to appear |
| that will help you to get found. | | | | - Write ad copy to attract customers to click on |
| Photography One picture is worth a thousand words; | | | | your ads |
| and a great picture will help communicate your | | | | - Set a maximum amount that you will pay per click |
| message quickly. Pictures can: | | | | - Set a daily maximum |
| - Grab the attention of visitors | | | | - You pay only for clicks to your web site |
| - Convey the importance of your company or | | | | Your ad will appear in the area marked sponsored |
| project | | | | listings. It will be higher or lower than the other |
| - Illustrate an important point | | | | sponsored listings based on the maximum bid that |
| - Create warmth and strong feelings | | | | you offer in relation to the others, among other |
| - Illustrate your product or service | | | | factors. The cost to have good visibility on a page |
| Whether you have digital photos or scans of slides | | | | will depend largely upon the amount of competition |
| and film, having a number of good and appropriate | | | | for the keywords being bid on. |
| pictures on your site can make a huge difference. | | | | Don't overlook using some of the simplest forms of |
| Graphics and DesignThis is the stage where the basic | | | | advertising to help get the word out such as adding |
| shape of the site page is formed. There are many | | | | your website address to your business cards, flyers, |
| decisions to be made such as: | | | | newspaper ads, to the bottom of every email you |
| - What does the banner header and footer look like? | | | | send out, etc. If you already have brochures printed, |
| - What shapes and lines will provide the page form? | | | | get some printed labels to apply with the new |
| - What color palette should be used? | | | | information. If you use methods like radio, television |
| - What monitor resolution should the page be | | | | or billboards be certain that your website is present in |
| designed for? | | | | those ads too. This form of advertising is generally |
| - How are other resolutions going to be | | | | called cross-promotion. The web is a 24/7 sales agent |
| accommodated? | | | | that can only work if it can be found. |