How to Build Your Own Web Site

If you're looking to build a very simple Web site, read our step-by-step guide found here. It’s an easy process to buy a domain name, find a Web hosting company, and use a few simple templates to get your Web site up and running.

For more complicated or custom Web sites, doing it yourself is also a good option, if you are willing to invest the time and energy. You will save thousands of dollars and get an intimate knowledge of your site's underpinnings. By using your own design and programming skills, you'll have the power to change all aspects of your Web site on the fly, which is an advantage any business would envy. Here are a few things to consider when building your own Web site.

Plan

Before you write one line of code, decide — in detail — what you want your site to be. Layout the pages in a site map and focus on the goals of your Web site. Browse successful sites and see how you can integrate the parts you like best. Lastly, mark your calendar with a due date and create deadlines for each step along the way. Making yourself accountable and creating a concrete goal will help keep you on track.

Design

If you have artistic skills, you'll want to look at purchasing some software to get the job done. There are a plethora of choices available, but Adobe's Web Premium Creative Suite 4 (http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/web/) offers all the tools required and is the industry standard. The software suite is pricey at $1,699, but well worth it. Microsoft also offers their own software called the Expression Studio 2 (http://www.microsoft.com/expression/products/purchase.aspx?key=studio) with relatable tools and a price tag of $699.

If you're new to this software, check your local community college for classes or there are some very visual and helpful books available at major bookstores. Many of these books even include a CD-Rom to walk you through the steps.

Test

After the design has been created, you'll need to create the code. Using one of the software suites, you'll be able to plug the pieces of your design into a Web page and add functionality. This software is often referred to as WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) software. While you have to still adhere to the rules of the Web, it's much easier to build out a Web site with the help of WYSIWYG software than to stare at a page of code.

One benefit of this software is that it will let you test your Web pages before they go out to the rest of the Web. It's important that you check for dead links, spelling errors, and formatting issues before going live. Get some coworkers, colleagues, and customers to look at it too.