How to Put Up a Website in One Day

So you want a website, but how do you go about finding and designing one, especially if you do not have time or web savvy? Read on for some helpful tips to create a simple website in a day or less with minimal computer or Internet knowledge.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• One day
• Purpose for your website
• Internet (preferably high-speed)
• Money
• Domain name
• Fountain pen
• Paper (to rough out ideas and design)

How to put up a website in one day

1. First of all, decide what the topic or subject of your website will be and what your domain is. This will save you time when it comes to putting your site live on the web. Write down a rough idea of your site and how many pages you will realistically need.

2. If this is for personal use, find out if your Internet service includes a free website. Internet providers do not advertise this well. Look in their "help topics" or "services" page, or give them a call. Or, they may offer a website and hosting at a reduced rate.

3. Use Google or another web search engine to find free or low cost websites. And, write down any low-cost websites you have heard advertised on the radio or TV. There are several time-saving links below to get your search started.

4. If the website is for business use, then you may need to invest some money. Click the links below or shop around on your own to see which web hosting venues offer the best value and include or reduce the cost of hosting your site. Often times, the larger the time frame (like two or three years), the more discount you will receive.

5. When designing your website, look for web hosting sites that have built in design templates or software. This is handy for uploading pictures.
   
   Having this tool will help out considerably, saving time and labor, especially if you do not have HTML or web programming background.
   You type in your text, send your pictures to the site and away you go.

6. If you need more features, like a shopping cart, find a service that offers this and will help you include and add them easily.

7. When you do decide on a site, follow the tutorial or template steps provided to build your new site. Keep in mind you can always edit and change your web design, nothing is ever final. Make sure to click on "publish site" (or similar step) in the design software when you are finished.
   
   It is helpful to publish the site right now, even if it there is only minimal information. Then come back and add to it later on. You will turn businesses and site visitors away if you only display an "under construction" message.

Tips & Warnings

• This assumes you have a domain name in mind or reserved and paid for when putting up your website.
• Having a domain name is separate from the website and there could be additional fees.
• For the quickest and a seamless post to the web, pick a site that hosts and has a built-in website designer.
• Try to find a free counter and cut & paste the HTML tags at the bottom of your site to see how many hits you are getting.
• Call the technical support line for any help if you get stuck or need a walk-through on their software. This service is generally included with the website.
• Find a site that gives you the features you need most for your money. (Hosting, technical support, shopping cart, number of pages).
• There are other free or low cost tools, skins, counters, guest books, and gadgets you can add to your website later on. Do an Internet search for those as well.
• You must have a domain name (the www address).
• Put some information, however minimal on your website when you start out. Do not just display an "under construction" message.
• Do not put personal information on the website. Use a PO Box for business addresses.
• Type in the website address when you are finished to make sure it displays properly.
• Be advised the cost of the website increases as your number of pages increase, so take this into consideration.

Resources

• Register.com website domain names & hosting
• Go daddy web hosting
• Yahoo geocities free site & tools
• AT & T yahoo small business website offerings
• Homestead - website building & hosting
• Google applications

[MidniteWriter]

on 1/9/2009 Glad I could help!

[amylaine]

on 4/22/2008 Great article, very useful.

[Cougar1002]

on 1/28/2008 Great advice! I like the tip of not showing an "under construction" message. I've gone to some websites several times and not gone back after awhile due to nothing changing. I think it makes people slow down in developing their site.

[Karenc1972]

on 1/25/2008 You have made something I've been dreading sound quite easy. I guess it was all of the lingo I came across that stopped me from actually purchasing a domain and getting it set up. Thanks for the info!

[MidniteWriter]

on 1/24/2008 check out the comments for more useful sites and hosting information. Thanks to my posters, please continue sharing information!