So, you want to design a website? While it may seem like a daunting task, if you have the right tools and the patience to learn through trial and error, you can have your new website up and running in no time.
Here are the basic things you need to design a website:
- Plan. You’ll need a basic site plan before you begin. Your site plan should outline the number of pages you want on your site; tabs; content; and design elements such as color, font, and graphics. Of course, none of this is set in stone, and it may all change once you begin designing your site. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a plan in place before beginning.
- Find a good piece of web design software or an HTML editor. There are tons of them out there. You want software that is easy to navigate and use if you are a first timer. If you already know a little HTML and are comfortable working with it, then go with something appropriate for your skill level. You can find programs for either of these options free of charge, or you can purchase one. Read online reviews and ask around before deciding.
- Start small. If this is your first website, you’ll want to start small with a few basic pages. As you learn more and become more adept at coding and design, you can add graphics, sound, and more advanced web design features.
- Choose a domain name and web hosting service. You can register a domain name for a nominal fee on a number of different websites. You’ll also want to choose a web hosting provider. Keep in mind that free providers often place ads and pop-ups on your page in exchange for free hosting, so you may want to pay for a site that is free of ads.
Web design is fun and fairly easy to learn with these simple steps.