Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Website - 1

Build a Website With No HTML Experience

When you are ready, this step-by-step guide will explain How to Build a Website and you will have learned enough basic HTML programming to maintain your own website.

The Basic Steps are:

1. Register a Domain Name
2. Set up a Hosting Plan
3. Get a Template, or Webpage Builder Software
4. Obtain or Create Graphics
5. Create and/or Customize the Home Page
6. Copy it for Each Additional Web Page and Customize
7. Upload the Files to the Hosting Server Account
8. Test, Modify, Upload - Repeat Until Done

Step 1 - Register a Good Business Domain Name

Domain Names Must Be Unique - And AVAILABLE

At first it might not seem that important to select a good domain name. It becomes important quickly when you want people to be able to find your website.

You can just start designing your website now on your PC and work the Domain name into the titles later. Sometimes you end up doing that later anyway because you decide you need a different domain name.

When you are ready to select a Domain Name, you want to have several names in mind and expect them to be taken. Follow the steps to learn the online Domain Name selector tool so that you can use it over and over again until you have made your decision on your Domain Name, and finalized your order to purchase it for a year. This easy tool gives you all kinds of choices of like names that you can choose from. I sit with a pen and write down several. You may want to mull if over for days (and risk losing it to someone else while you waited).

Good information about selecting your Domain Name is at our sister site PlanBreview.com. There is more information on what names work best today when selecting a Domain Name. Also there are facts about using keywords (and what keywords are) if you plan to make a profit from your website, you can read more in Domain Name.

If you want to get into building the website before you select the name, just jump to Step 3 and use the four (4) easy steps to building your website on your PC.

I like the tool in Hostgator's Registry Rocket for selecting an available Domain name. They show you possible alternatives for the name you enter, whether or not it is available. Maybe you will find an even better name for your website.

When you are ready, use this link to open Registry Rocket in a new window and follow along with the instructions provided.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The entry screen will show the different prices of the various extensions you may want. While .com and .net are only $15 per year, other extensions may cost you more to register them.

Simply type in any domain name you like in the first window provided, select an extension, and press the Register button. Even if it is available they will display it and many variations and their availability on the next screen.

See those "radio" buttons? They are green when selected, white circle when they are available, and not shown when they are unavailable. Look down the screen for several more ideas using the previous keywords. They are helping you, see?

You can refine your search by typing in anything and clicking the Search button for more ideas and availability. Use the Pull down .com, .net, .info and other extensions if desired.

I usually jot down several names that are available and think about them for awhile. Then I go back later and choose one, or check on more available names.

You may also want to check RegNow.com to see if you can purchase an unavailable domain name at a reasonable price. There are some advantages to buying a previously used domain name, especially if there could be some good natural website traffic already. The instructions for transferring a domain name will differ depending upon where the domain name is registered and the hosting service you choose. Please let us know if we can help you with this process.

When you have made a final decision, click the radio button for the name and extension (.com, .net, .info, etc.) and scroll down to the Purchase button. The next screen will accept your registration information and your can own that domain name within a few minutes.

Be sure to check the Agree to Terms box near the top of the window. It includes your agreement to not use your domain name for any illegal activities or other harmful cause. Please read the Terms for the complete details of what you are agreeing to.

BE SURE to write down your EXACT Domain name and password to be able to properly set it up later. An email should arrive with a receipt you should keep for later and print for your records.

You can email me at webmaster@myminisites.net for a quick response to your inquiries.