My First Website

  1. You want your first site hosted as resonable as possible.
  2. The sites below will cost you around $10.00 per year for your website name.
  3. You should be able to get your website hosted with a plan that will cost you less than $20.00 per month.
  4. These sites primary purpose is to give you a web presence and get you familiar with building and maintaining a website.
  5. I use a web host by the name of 3Essentials. This host is just what it says it is - the esseentials - but it is very affordable and I believe quite easy to maintain
  6. Another host I like is GoDaddy. This host has been around for a number of years and has both affordable plans and good technology.
  7. What comes first?
  8. I believe the first thing to do is to write a simple page using a word processor with the document set to LANDSCAPE view.
  9. Enter your business/website name and describe what your website does, sells or information it provides on this page in an attractive manner.
  10. For your first page this could be as simple as the information on your your business card.
  11. Now you have the information you want to publish on the web.
  12. There are a number of online resources to assist you building your website. You can spend a lot of money on web editing packages however I feel most are more difficult than just learning the basic HTML you need to get you site on line.
  13. I use Notepad++ available for download FREE from SourceForge
  14. You can learn HTML at W3Schools and use as a resoure for building your website.
  15. You have your first page now completed and residing on your computer.
  16. You are ready to purchase your web address.
  17. Go to a host such as those above or search the internet "web hosting".
  18. Check Web Hosting Geeks for some suggestions and pricing.
  19. YOUR DOMAIN NAME - Many people make the mistake of using the convenient "WHO IS" field located on their prospective web hosts website. It has been my experience that when I use this "service" my desired web name is already registered although I may purchase it for $200 and up. My approach is to simply enter my desired name into the address bar of my web browser. If someone has the name already you will be taken to their site and know that the name is not available. If you are taken to a site that appears to be a search page or lists a number of links to sites with similar names then your site name is not in use.
  20. Select your provider.
  21. Select your hosting plan.
  22. You will be asked for your domain name - just enter your desired name that you have verified available.
  23. If for some reason the name is taken you will be asked for a different name. Have a secondary of even tirciary name selected prior to this step.
  24. Now all that is needed is to upload the page you created previously and you are on the web.
  25. Most hosts have a web page building tool on their site which you can use if you desire.
  26. Now you are on the web, you should have an email address connecting to this website and you are ready to expand.
  27. If you still need help or for a more complex website you may contact me at formzonline@johngus.com