The reference for the Do-It-Yourselfers out there!

I’m going to outline the basic traditional way of creating a website. Web 1.0. There are Web 2.0 options out there that are easier (Google Apps, Blogs, Wikis) - but they should only be used if their particilar functionality fits or enchances your business model.

In order to get started you will need some tools and infrastructure:

A Domain Name (what is a domain name?)

This is your website’s street address. It should be branded to your company name (www.abcwidget.com) or to what you want people to know about you (www.thebestwidgetsever.com). You can register this (on a yearly basis) at a cost from $1.99/year to $27.00/year at places like GoDaddy, Yahoo! Domain Names, Register.com, and Network Solutions.

Webhosting

A website is made up of files (usually HTML files) and those files need someplace to reside. The domain names tell browsers where to find the files, and the webhost’s server sends them to the browser for viewing. Most places that sell domain names also sell hosting. There is a dizzying array of hosting plans, add-ons, upsells, and options for websites. You will need the most basic. If you are building your site yourself, I recommend registering your domain name and purchasing hosting from the same vendor. Some companies that provide hosting services are: GoDaddy, Yahoo! Web Hosting, Register.com, and Network Solutions.

A basic HTML editor (what is HTML?)

If you are a PC user you will probably have Front Page as a program in your Microsoft Office suite. Some other good options are: BBedit, Homesite, and Microsoft’s new editor Expression. Some webhosts have HTML editors like Yahoo!’s Site Builder and GoDaddy’s Website Tonight (which includes their website builder application).

A basic FTP program (what is FTP?)

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is the way you move files from your desktop computer to the webhost’s server (where the files live) Most HTML editors come with a FTP program built into them - but if you need a standalone product take a look at SmartFTP.

Now that you have the tools and infrastructure in place you will need to learn some things. What you will need to know:

Basic HTML coding

Even if you are using a WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) editor a basic understanding of HTML markup will make your life much easier - even the best WYSIWYG editor is only so smart. The more HTML you know, the more control you can have (which might be why you are a DIYer). A good HTML tutorial can be found at htmlgoodies.com.

Basic web design

A lot of hosting companies will give you access to pre-built website designs or templates - but if you are even going to go beyond a template or keep your website looking professional then you’ll need to understand some basic concepts of design for the web. My favorite basic guide for beginners can be found at HTMLsource.com

Basic Server Side Scripting

This is a little bit beyond the basics but the more you learn, the more you run into it. If you get hooked on building your website - you’ll want to learn how to make your site do things - for that you’ll need a basic understanding of Server Side Scripting. I perfer that beginner programmers learn PHP. One of the best basic tutorials can be found at Webmaster Help.


So now you are pointed in the right direction. Good Luck! Have Fun! And please, let me know if this page was at all helpful, and what you’ve done with this advice.