Website Starting Guide
Introduction
Before we start, you need to ask yourself a question: Will I be completely dedicated to this? I've seen far too many sites close down after a month, or not be updated in a year, etc. If you're not in it for the long run, there's no point in even starting. It will be tough, and it will take up a large amount of time if done correctly.Things To Know
There are a few things I recommend you know before beginning.Basic HTML/XHTML
Knowing HTML or XHTML is absolutely essential if you want a respectable site. Don't even think about using a free "SiteBuilder" or a WYSIWYG HTML editor.There are numerous sites that teach HTML on the Internet. Use your favorite search engine and search "Learn HTML". I recommend W3Schools.
If XHTML is what you're looking for, I have an (X)HTML guide for you.
CSS (Cascading StyleSheets)
If you want anything other than a plain white background and black Times New Roman text, it's best to learn CSS. W3Schools has a lovely tutorial on the subject.Brainstorming
First, you need to come up with some ideas for your website. What kind of layout? What colors? What kind of content? Figure out all of this and write it down.Finding a Host
A host is someone who stores your files and puts your website on the web. There are two types of hosts: free hosts and hosts that charge.When considering a host, consider at least four things: the amount of space you get, the bandwidth you get, the domain/web address you get, and whether or not there are advertisements. Put simply, space is the amount of files you can have, bandwidth is the amount of information the server can send out, and the domain is what your web address is. More advanced webmasters also consider stuff like PHP (a dynamic scripting language), FTP (file transfer protocol), and SSI (server side includes) support and MySQL databases.
An example of a good free host is Byethost. According to their site, they offer free FTP and PHP support and MySQL databases, in addition to no advertisements and free tech support.
if you're asking "How does my website get from my head to my computer to my host?", let me answer that. This is where your knowledge of HTML or XHTML comes in. HTML and XHTML is the essential code that makes up every page on the Internet. Go to any site, right click, and click "View Source" on the menu. A bunch of code will pop up. This is the HTML/XHTML code.
Making a Layout
Once you've found your host, you need to make a layout. Layouts vary from very simple to very extravagant; the quality of the layout depends on who is making it.Try to avoid using only bright colors when making layouts. These are called eye-hurting layouts. Also try to make the font contrast the background. An example of this could be a navy blue font with a black background. That's called a non-contrasting layout. Your layout needs to be readable.
I recommend making your own layout. Here are some sites that can help:
The Cave of Dragonflies DIV Templates
A List Apart DIV Layout Tutorial
Basic 3 Column Fixed Width CSS Layout