Web Sites Developing

Build a Website

Once you have your domain name and web host, the next step is to actually build your website.

Website Builder Software

To build a website yourself you need some type of web building software. There are two ways you can get this software:

Free from your web host. Some web hosts provide a web site builder that includes free hosting and email. This is the best choice for beginners. All you need to do is click on the design you want and then add your text. It's really easy. As I mentioned earlier, I recommend the web site builders at Act Now Domains and iPowerweb. They each are easy to use, make good looking sites and best of all are really cheap.

I got a bunch of questions on the actual building process so I created a step by step build a website tutorial for people to use. Just click here for it. It makes the process really easy so it's worth getting.

If you want to sell products on your site and accept credit cards, you will need to sign up with an outside credit card processor for this. Make sure to check out my make money page for more info about the credit card processors so you don't end up buying a lot of stuff you don't need or going with a bad one.

2 From an outside vendor. There are a couple of different stand alone build a website software programs that you can buy and use to build your website yourself. I DO NOT recommend stand alone website building programs for beginners.

The pros are you aren't tied to your web host and they provide more flexibility than a web host's builder. The cons with stand alone site builders are they are really hard for most beginners to use (click here to see basic screenshots of one in action), they cost a couple of hundred dollars and most sites built by beginners with them look really bad. The most popular is Microsoft's Expressions Web which is the updated version of Front Page.

IF YOU ARE BUILDING YOUR FIRST WEBSITE, I suggest you just go with the build a website software that comes with your web hosting account. It is a LOT easier, doesn't cost very much and once you get the hang of how to build a website then you can branch out to your own software program later.

How to Upload your Website to your Web Host Account

Once you build your website, you will need to get it to your web host's server. This process is called "uploading" your files. Some places call it "publishing your website." Either way it's the same process.

If you are using the build a website software from your web host, all of your website files will already be on your web host's servers so all you will need to do is click a button. The button is usually Publish or Submit.

If you are using Microsoft's Expressions Web or another stand alone website builder, you will usually just need to log in to your web hosting account and click the upload files button. Some web hosts call this FTP, others just say Upload Files. It all depends on your web host what it's called but they both are the same thing.

Choose a Web Host

Once you have your domain name, you will need to choose a web host. It is very important that you choose a good web host. Good doesn't mean expensive. Good means reliable with great support.

Some people try to save money and choose to go with a free web host. They usually realize pretty quickly what a huge mistake that is. As I noted in the domain section, I'm all for free whenever possible, but free web hosting will end up costing much more than you save. Click here for information on why it's better to pay.

What is a Web Host?

A web host stores the web site you create on their servers and transmits it to the internet so that when someone types in your domain name, your web site appears. A server is just a fancy computer that "serves up" your web site to the internet.

What is a Domain Name?

A domain name is your address on the web. It's the information that customers type in to find your website. It's what comes after the www. in www.domain.com. The domain name for this site is thurunu.com.

A domain name can be any combination of letters and/or numbers up to 63 characters. The official domain name extensions are .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us and .ws. There are also other extensions like .tv and .tk but don't waste your time with those. Stick with a recognized one.

Creating a website

Creating a website. Sounds complicated, doesn't it? It isn't. You don't need to be a techie or learn any type of complicated code either. If you are creating a website for the first time, bookmark this site. It will be really useful to you. I tell you everything you need to know and walk you through each step of the process - free!

There are three main steps to creating a web site:

Get a Domain Name - this page has everything you need to know about domain names - what they are, why you need one, how to choose a good one and how to get one.
Choose a Web Host - this page explains what a web host is, how to choose a good one, and what you really need and what you don't so you don't get taken.
Creating a Web Site - this page explains how you actually build a website, what you should and should not put on it and helps you figure out which website builder is for you.

Creating a website is just the first step to having a successful website. I will also show you add-ons you can put on your website like newsletters and counters for free or cheap, ways you can make money from your website and how to get traffic to it.