How to Design a Webpage

Webpage design is easier than you would think; however, first time web authors may find designing a webpage to be a daunting task. Fortunately, with the help of software and a little bit of planning, this task can be relatively easy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide what content you will put on the page. Content may include the following: titles, text and graphics or pictures you will use.

2. Plan the design of your page on a piece of paper. This will allow you to brainstorm ideas about how the elements of your page will fit together. It is best at this point to aim for simplicity.

3. Decide what software you will use. There are a multitude of easy to use software applications that will fit almost anyone's budget. Most software applications allow the user to create and edit in a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) format and have pre-formatted themes. This type of software is great if you don't have HTML knowledge or more advanced coding experience.

4. Install the software on your computer and begin imputing your information.

5. Import your pictures and graphics. Graphics and pictures do not imbed into webpages as they do in PowerPoints or word processing documents, so you must upload your graphics along with your webpages.

6. Preview your page in one or more Internet browsers and on one or more computers to make sure the display is as you envisioned.

7. Upload your webpage file and graphics to the webserver of your Internet host provider.

Tips & Warnings

• Be flexible in terms of trying to make your webpage look just like the design you created on paper. The software may not allow you to construct your page exactly as your design.
• Explore preformated themes already present in your software. These themes may make your webpage design easier.
• Don't center everything as this is often considered to be a sign of a beginning web designer. Stagger items throughout the page while maintaining a logical format.

Resources

• For an easy to use web authoring program try coffeecup.com.
• For information about Microsoft's web authoring software go to office.microsoft.com.