Build your own website
- Registering a domain name - the first step when building a website is to choose and register your domain name. Think of a domain name as an easy to remember address name to get to your website. The internet identifies your website using an IP address. This is a long number that is difficult to remember. The internet uses domain name servers to match your website's IP address to an easier to remember name. Once you have registered this name, visitors to your site will be directed to your site using the domain name. Learn More...
- Choose a hosting provider. Once you have registered your domain name, you will also need your domain name to point to a server where your website will reside. Learn more...
- Select a tool. Now that you have a domain and a place to host your site, you will need to select a tool that will enable you to construct your website. There are many options on the market. They range in price and technical skills required. Learn more...
See our list of Free One-Click Installation Add-on Tools
Flash and Music
When building your website, consider the things you like and what you do not like about websites you have visited. It may seem like a cool idea to have music playing in the background on your website. Do you like it when you are visiting a website and all of a sudden music starts playing? Most people who are looking at a website are there for a specific reason. They may even be there in a public environment where music may be an annoyance. This holds true for animation. While it may seem really cool to have flash on your website it will likely prove to annoy your visitors. Consider your end goal, which is to attract visitors to your website. Entice them stay long enough to evaluate your product or service and then taking an action like making a purchase.
Navigation
Construct your pages in so that it minimal scrolling is required. Most content that requires scrolling is never viewed. If you have additional content provide links to another page. Ensure that users can easily navigate throughout your site. They should be able to quickly move to and from each page.
Logo
Consider developing or have a logo designed for your website. A logo is an inexpensive way to call attention to your site as well as make your site a little more memorable. It is also a good idea to create a logo that contains a graphic that can be used as a favicon. As an example notice that the logo for Keystone Web Solutions uses a graphic of a keystone as part of the logo, which is also used as the favicon for the url.
For pricing on a custom logo see: Keystone Custom Logo Design
Colors
Use colors that work well together. Search your browser for “color schemes”. There are a number of free sites that provide combinations of colors that work well together. Identify the colors you wish to use and ensure you are consistent across your website with the use of these colors. Instant Eyedropper is a free tool that will help you identify colors you would like to use. It will help you ensure your colors are consistent throughout your site.
Feedback
No matter how wonderful you know your site is, find some objective friendly users to provide feedback. Be receptive to the feedback you receive!
Spelling and Grammar
Ensure your site is free from any spelling or grammatical errors. It is critical that you ensure and constantly test any and all links you have on your website. You will lose credibility if you have any misspellings, grammar errors or broken links.