Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Website - 6

Build a Website With No HTML Experience

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
   Next Step:
6. Copy for Each Additional Web Page and Customize
7. Upload the Files to the Hosting Server Account
8. Test, Modify, Upload - Repeat Until Done

Step 6 - Copy and Save As to Create the Rest of Your Website Files

Add graphics and white space to break up the space. Your customers appreciate it. Busy pages can be annoying. This design template, for example, is at my absolute limit of use of white space to avoid being too "busy".

Note: Everyone has opinions on the value of webpage space, and opinions might continue to change. As of January 2006, the preference is the Google model. Yahoo still uses banner ads, but banner ads themselves have fallen out of favor. They were cool at first. Ultimately, it's your design and you can do as you like.

Important Definition: "ABOVE THE FOLD" is a term you will want to understand. This means that the section of a web page that is displayed before scrolling down, is the "key online real estate" that a visitor sees when landing on your webpage. It is common knowledge that your visitors will only scroll down if you have enticed them to do so. So, capture their interest "above the fold" if you want them to scroll down and see the rest of your webpage.

1. Finalize your template changes in your index.html file. Be sure your navigation links are built to each additional section page you plan to build. Of course, you can't test them yet, but be sure the rest of the design elements are in place and you consider the design complete. Be sure to complete your heading tags that you wish to have in each webpage.
2. Keep track of changes to the template after this point! I always obey this rule for websites with more than one or two pages. After this step, each additional file in your website will need to have all template/layout changes input accurately for each additional webpage, to keep the design intact.
3. Creating each additional webpage is simply a Copy and Save As into a New filename.html file. Use the filename you chose when you created your navigation links.
4. Customize each file to contain the specific text for that web page. Of course, you will want to delete most of the content text and add some new text, but keep the template or layout sections intact.
5. Change headings as needed for each page.
   Any data can be changed, other pictures or links can be put on the sides. Internet users have learned to accept the "newspaper/newsletter" format when reading on-line. Some designers may prefer different layouts or templates for different sites they manage. Some may want to change them for each webpage. It depends on what type of site you are building as to how important it is in your design.
6. Test, modify, retest, etc. You got the pattern by now. Be sure to test all your links too.

   On your C: drive, with your file links working there, you should be able to test all the website elements that do not require a server. External links, of course, will not work. There are link instructions in "ALittleHTMLGuide".

   Continue with these instructions here: Guide - Page 7.

   This Step-by-Step Guide was written by Karen S Mueller
   Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved

   Guide - Page -1- | -2- | -3- | -4- | -5- | -6- | -7- | -8-

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