How to make a website of your own
So you want to create your own website!
Deciding to create a website is exciting, but the process can be scary if you you've never made a site before and aren't a "computer geek." This tutorial teaches anyone how to make a website, without any expensive software or pre-existing technical knowledge. I'll walk you through the whole process, one small easy-to-follow step at a time with plenty of illustrations.
What you need to Build Your Own Website
You'll need the following things to create your first website:
- Text-editing software. This software is already installed on your computer. In Windows the software is called Notepad. On Mac computers the software is called TextEdit. For simplicity, I am going to assume you are using a computer running any version of Microsoft Windows after Windows 95. If you are using a Mac or other platform, just use an appropriate editor instead.
- A notebook and pen. You may wish to take notes as we go along or to draw out your website design, so it is a good idea to have these "old-fashioned" tools.
- FTP software. I'll cover this software when we get that far. Windows includes a free FTP software, but it isn't very user-friendly for new website owners, so I'll refer you to a free application.
- A web hosting account. If you want to put your website online where the public can view it, you'll need to have an account with a web host. To get started, I recommend obtaining a small account with a host that runs Linux.
- A good idea! This is, of course, the most important part of creating a new website—without a good idea, no one will ever visit your new site!
- Any images you want to use on your website. These might include your logo, if you have one, or any images of your product or the subject of your site.
- A good attitude and a desire to learn. This one is self-explanatory, right? :)
How To Best Use This Tutorial
- Do every step. This tutorial consists of several examples that all build upon each other. So, to get the most out of the lessons, you should follow the instructions for each step exactly, even if you already understand the particular concept being presented.
- Type it all out! Because this tutorial is online and not on paper, it is easy for you to copy-and-paste all the text into your own files. Don't do this! The best way to get this information to "stick" in your head is to type it out yourself—that way your brain processes it twice, once when you read it and a second time when you type it out. This helps with the memory process.
- Create the sample site. I know you want to get started on your new site right away, but by creating the sample site and following the directions precisely you'll be able to find any errors you might make and, by going back to the examples, easily correct them.
Let's Go!
Ready to get started? Great! Let's go to Lesson 1 — The Basics!
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How to make a website
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First, you need an html editor and a web file publisher on your computer. Online, to make your own web site, you will need both your own domain and a "hosting" provider. Let me know if you need any more help.
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