Getting Started With Websites

[justinOrel]

What is a Website?
A website is the entire collection of web pages and other information (such as images,
sound, and video files, etc.) that are made available through what appears to users as a
single web server.
As the internet has progressed, websites have gone from standard text with limited
capabilities to a place where one can purchase their groceries, watch movies, read the
news and the funnies, and video chat with their friends.
To business owners, the internet can provide an incredible place to advertise and sell their
products.
However, good websites are challenging to create, and can pose a problem.
When a user navigates to a website, they generally will stay there for 10 seconds. If the
site doesn’t capture their attention, they will navigate away immediately.
Therefore, website administrators need to carefully design the website to instantly grab
the attention of the user.

Types of Websites
There are two types of websites, and to have a good website you need to know what type
applies to you.
Type 1: Content-based websites
A content based website is a website that is driven by news, articles, data, tutorials, etc…
Type 2: Presentation-based websites
These websites are geared toward showing something off.
Content based websites should be fast, without too much graphics and should be full
screen.
Presentation based websites should be built 90% on looks and 10% on usability– don’t
go to far with your graphics, it will slow down your site. How many customers want to
watch the loading screen for 10 minutes?

Designing Websites
Website design is a complex process, but we are going to share a basic summary of the
steps you should go through.
1. Visualize the Site –In a photo editing program, draw out your website.
2. Style the site –Using CSS, and your site image as an instruction, use Cascading
Style Sheets to format links, headings, forms, etc…
3. Create the Layout – Using CSS or layout tables, create a layout for your site. For
example…
4. Add Content!- Add you website content, for example text on the homepage.
5. Add Dynamics, DHTML, and Flash – Add dynamics (PHP for example),
DHTML (rollovers, etc) and Flash movies.
6. Debug – Make sure your page looks right, and that it looks the same in all web
browsers.

Website Advertising

In order to drive people to your website, you will need to advertise on two fronts – locally
and worldwide.
Worldwide:
∙ Via Google Advertising – pricing as low as a cent a click.
∙ By putting the link on your signature on forums you like
∙ By adding your site to directories like Yahoo Directory.
Locally:
∙ In the Yellow pages (phone book)
∙ Put fliers around town
∙ Billboard ads
∙ Give business cards to everyone you meet

Tools and Resources

Software for Designers

In general, you need 2 programs to create websites - HTML editor and Image editor.

Big Budget:

*

Macromedia Studio MX - Fireworks, Dreamweaver and Flash are 3 incredible pieces of software.

Adobe Photoshop and Golive - I personally prefer Macromedia but some do prefer photoshop\imageready and golive.


Low Budget:

*

Microsoft Frontpage - It does the job.

Jasc Paint Shop pro


No Budget

*

Nvu - Made partially by mozilla, this is an excellent free open source HTML editor.

The GIMP - it takes some getting used to, but is a fully featured and free image editor


More Resources

http://www.w3schools.com/ - CSS, HTML, everything... countless tutorials. Wonderful.

http://dynamicdrive.com - Your source for DHTML effects

Google. Its your friend.

[zhoom]

Nice information. A website nowadays is used by business owners to promote their business online. Because of the fast growing of internet many said that a website is now a need for a business. Thanks for the great information.

[tim.alter]

There are so many benefits to having a website if you have your own business. Here are 7 of them:

1. Significant Market Expansion

Through the internet, you can break through local barriers and become accessible to not only any state, but any country in the world, and you are accessible to them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This can significantly build up your customer base.

2. Much Lower Cost than Standard Print Advertising

You can reach a large audience with a smaller investment. If you put your internet address on your business card, your customer or potential customer can visit your website and get a very good idea of what your product or service about.

You can change the content on your website at will, keeping it fresh for those who visit your site more than once.

You can still use print advertising of course, but with a website there is a two way communication when you include a Contact Us page. The potential client can ask any questions or ask that you contact them through your contact page.

3. Your Site Allows You to be Semi-Available at all hours

Your site runs every day all day, allowing your clients to visit your site for the information they are looking for without waiting for your business to open.

4. Higher Level of Customer Satisfaction

Your website is a convenient way for clients to get information about you in the privacy of their office or home. Add to that the idea that you can feature valuable information on your site for your clients, and you've got a higher level of customer satisfaction.

5. Improve Your Company Credibility

Since many potential buyers use the internet to research any future purchases, your site gives you the opportunity to illustrate for your client what your company is about, and your high standards for service and customer satisfaction.

6. An Opportunity for Your Company to Grow

It is obvious that since you are reaching a much larger market, your company has the opportunity for growth. And occasionally, someone who visits your website may promote your business by word of mouth.

7. You Can Put Your Best Foot Forward

You can work out, in advance, the best approach to use on your website to entice your potential customer to contact you. There are no variables or mistakes in the presentation, as there may be in a "live" sales presentation.

A website is an advantage to a brick and mortar business. It makes you more available to your potential customers, and can give your enterprise a certain amount of credibility before you have the first conversation with your potential client.

[seomelbourne]

Hi everybody,
I am Williamayden,
I have just joined this site.
I am very happy to join this interesting forums site.

[barbaragabogrecan]

Great information... There are so many benefits to having a website if you have your own business. Your site gives you the opportunity to illustrate for your client what your company is about, and your high standards for service and customer satisfaction. It’s an opportunity for your business to grow. Someone who visits your website may promote your business. So that’s nice for your business.

[peterpan020588]

OH ! GREAT ! THANKS FOR INFORMATION !

[awsrumana]

Thanks for sharing this information with us.

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(08-31-2010 05:33 PM)seomelbourne Wrote:  Hi everybody,
I am Williamayden,
I have just joined this site.
I am very happy to join this interesting forums site.

We are welcoming you on to this site....

[anusha]

I have some more tips to design a website:
1.Plan your tag line
2.Make navigation easy
3.Keep your site unculture
4.Catch users attention
5.All links we used in our site should work

[perth]

all the members shares good knowledge which really helps to new ones about the website design..

[sofia20]

Wow! Those information are very interesting and such a very big help.
Thanks!