Five Steps to Creating and Posting
Your Own Custom Web Site

Article by: Brett Krkosska © 2001

You've heard of the HTML gland haven't you?

You bet, it's right behind your left ear. Next to that little hollow spot above your jaw. Can't find it?

Try tapping that hollow spot. That's it.

Did you feel it? If you tap it just right you'll notice some animation around your lips. Tap a bit harder and you'll 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, that's 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 don't.

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, let's 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" you'll 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 "Bob's Rent-All" you'll 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?

You'll have only a few seconds to show your visitors that they're 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 don't 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. Don't 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, we'll use the tools set before us by the "smart ones." Therefore, it's 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 WYSIWYG's tend to produce excess html coding. But we're just getting started. We can live with excess for now! Programs such as Microsoft's FrontPage are suitable for the beginner.
http://www.microsoft.com/frontpage/

Another good program is Allaire's HomeSite. They call it a What You See Is What You Need interface. It produces clean html, but it's 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. There's is nothing worse than a host that can't come through in a pinch. Have a quick look at this article and you'll 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 it's 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, I'll just bet that if you reach up and give a few quick taps to that HTML gland... you remember... behind the left ear... that's right... you'll begin to detect the ever-so-faint, yet distinct, scent of Java!

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