How to Make a Website
Websites are online pages that contain text, photos, video and other content. They are usually accessed via a web browser, like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Apple’s Safari.
The concept of a website can be tricky to grasp for someone who isn’t tech-savvy. It’s best to think of a bustling marketplace with a website being the whole marketplace and each webpage being a unique stall or shop within it. The Internet is a city of interconnected marketplaces (websites) each offering different products and services.
Once you have that mental image, it becomes easier to understand the distinctions between a website, a webpage and a home page. The main function of a website is to present information and/or products in an organized, user-friendly way on the web, utilizing a navigation structure that allows users to navigate to individual webpages within the site.
There are many types of websites, from personal blogs to commercial sites for businesses to government-run agencies. Each website is accessible through a public network called the Internet by referencing a unique URL that identifies the site. A website can also be made private, so that only a specific group of people can access it.
The first step in making a website is to choose a domain name. This can be a simple word or a creative phrase that captures the essence of your website. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a key component that will set your website apart from others and is what your visitors will remember when searching for your website in the future.
Next, select a hosting provider. Make sure to read reviews and compare costs, features and security before choosing a plan. Bluehost is a good option for beginners and offers affordable hosting packages that include a free domain for the first year.
Once your domain name and hosting are in place, you can begin to build your website. Create an outline for your article using a tool such as Google Docs or Workflowy to help you organize your ideas. This will help you stay on track while writing and keep your reader engaged throughout the article.
Start with the homepage and include a business logo, contact information and useful navigation menus. Then move on to the main content of your website. This should be relevant to the business you are running or the topic of your article and can include text, photos and videos.
Lastly, use images to break up the text and add visual appeal. Remember that the average reader has a short attention span, so it’s important to keep them interested. Also, be sure to highlight keywords and other important learnings in bold font. This will act as a magnet for your readers and keep them engaged until the end of the article.