Learn How to Start a Website

Start your own website

Let's start with the programming bit. If you want to learn how to start a website, the first thing you need to understand is that a website is always built on one or a mix of scripting/programming languages. The most common and basic is HTML, that won't take too long to learn and will allow you to create simple website pages. This language is the base for others like PHP and ASP, but can, if learned properly, solely be used in creating full scale dynamic websites. Dream Weaver is a common editing tool software where you can create and edit your HTML pages displaying both code and layout preview. Start learning HTML now!

Finding a Web Host

When it comes to web hosting it can play an significant part in helping you start your own website. Not only will a webhost guarantee your presence online by offering space on their server for you to store your website files, a domain name and proper bandwidth. A good web host will also have a services and software that can take care of the site building for you. Finding a good host however can prove to be somewhat of a struggle as there are a lot of hosts claiming to be the best. Our editors have chosen three hosts that we believe to satisfy all of your needs. They are cheap, stable and will provide you with all the features you need to manage your website.

• Web Hosting Hub

• InMotion

• iPage

Software like SiteBuildIt and cPanel and already made script templates like Wordpress, Joomla or Mambo are also available for free and allow you to create a website, install a blog, CMS (Content Management System) in a matter of minutes.

These services will of course initially take away some of your control over the website. But as soon as you have learned and understood how exactly websites are constructed these services will not stand in your way in changing or adding function and features on your website. Commerce scripts and free website plug-in scripts are offered by a number of good web hosts, sign up today and have a dynamic website up and running within 24 hours!

How a Website works

Programming aside, a website basically consists of a number of files stored in the root directory of your web hosting storage space. When somebody types in the domain name address in a web browser or clicks on a link to your website, the web browser sends a request to you web host server. If all is good the server responds with proper data, that is displayed in the browser as you website. The first file that will be requested from the web browser when somebody types in your domain name, is the index-file.

The most important HTML file- index.html

When you log on to any website, the file that is loading on almost all web servers is index.html. Take an example where you are making a web site of three HTML pages, the opening page (index.html), an about me page (aboutme.html) and a links page (links.html).

If you're on your own domain, the files would look like this once you upload them on your server.

• http://www.yourdomain.com/index.html
• http://www.abc.com/aboutme.html
• http://www.yourdomain.com/links.html

The first page, http://www.yourdomain.com/index.html, can also be loaded by just typing http://www.yourdomain.com/

The same is true of folders or directories. If you made one called /xyz/, you could put a new index.html in it, and it could be accessed two ways:

• http://www.yourdomain.com/xyz/index.html
• http://www.yourdomain.com/xyz/

Designing the site

Designing a site can be somewhat of a headache for at least some of us. However, most hosts include a Sitebuilder in their plans, guiding you through the necessary steps, making it a fairly easy process. One host that has gone above and beyond is InMotion that helps out with customizing your web design. Get in contact with InMotion, have a short chat with their designers, send them your content and they will design the site for you. Now all you have to do is review the finished product and if you’re happy with the result they will publish it for you. Head on over to the InMotion website for a free website consultation, or give them a call at 1-888-863-5198 and see if there is a match.

The Two Copy Rule

When you write your web site, you'll need two copies, one on your web host and one on your hard drive. The reasons for this are, firstly that you need a backup and secondly when you're working on your site, you don't work on it live. When you work on the copy of your HTML pages on your hard disk, it's called "editing the local copy." The copy on the web host is called the "remote copy." You will edit the files from a folder in your hard drive, and once you're down, you'll upload them to your web host. That's when everyone can view it. You can always view your files on your hard drive before you upload them.

• Open your web browser.
• Choose File -> Open... File, (Browse).
• Find the folder with your HTML files.
• Double-click the one you're working on, and it will be in your web browser.

Choosing a Domain Name

One of the most important things that you will have to do when setting up your website is picking a domain name. This step is crucial and it can to some extent make or break your website. It's also one of the most difficult steps as most good domain names already are taken. However, it's not impossible task so don't despair - start exercising your creative muscles and take the time it takes and you won't have anything to worry about.

Generic Domain Name - This is the classic way of picking domain name but there is a problem arising with this type. As it's a first, first served basis pretty much all the good ones are taken. Should you find one - grab it at once.

Because of the fact that generic domain names most often already are taken the unconventional domain names are growing in strength. Take the del.icio.us - it's an extremely popular site that has managed to go around the problem. Start brainstorming - who knows? You just might come up with a name that will stick in the mind of your visitors.

Another tip is to keep the name short as this will make it more memorable and easier to spell. If it's too long you risk the chance of losing visitors as they won't remember the name of your site. It's also a good idea to use a keyword in the domain name. This is because it will increase the chances of getting a high rank on the search engines.

Commonly made Mistake

The most common mistake for new web-designers is to put the c:\ in links and images. When you're on the web, there is no c:\ to the rest of the world. When you start out, keep all your HTML files and images in one folder, and don't use c:\ at all.

For example - < img> loads an image into a web page. If you have a file called taco.jpg, use the code <img src="taco.jpg"> to load it, not <img src="c:\My Documents\website\taco.jpg">

Get Started!

Hopefully you are now starting to grasp the concept of starting your own website. We encourage you to learn more about different script languages so you ultimately can make your own websites, exactly how you want them. Until then, the smartest way to get a site live is using various commerce scripts offered by our listed web hosts. Go to Advanced Search to search through and read reviews of some of the best hosting providers on the market that we have found to provide reliable and proper web hosting.

Written by Chris Reynolds

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Chris Reynolds is a true hosting geek that was born in the city by the sea, Seattle, in the late 1970's. Growing up in a progressive community he quickly became interested in things of the more technical kind. In recent years his interest has progressed as well; namely into his line of profession. Keep your eyes open for any of his articles on topics such as Linux, PHP, CSS, and ASP.

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