How to design a website

Do you like to 'play' with graphics? Do you have a knack for computer design? Do you like to surf the web? If so, you may consider creating a website of your own!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Either knowledge of HTML or a web design program, like Dreamweaver
• Computer
• Graphics software

1. On a piece of paper, list all the elements that your desired website should contain, such as: site map, graphics, header, navigation bar, sidebar, scrolling, Flash elements, animations, slide shows, video, sound or music.....
2. Now take that list of elements and sketch out how all the elements that you listed in Step 1 above will interact. This may mean that you need to draw out several iterations of the Home page and every page that is linked from this main page.
3. Determine the page count, and come up with a final design for each page before you start designing and/or coding. It must all be 'storyboarded' on paper so you have a goal in mind.
4. Decide on the program or language to create your website pages. There are programs that create the code in a graphical manner such as FrontPage or Dreamweaver. You may still want to have a basic knowledge of HTML or JavaScript.
5. Research hosting companies and domain names for your website. Be sure to checkout if there are limitations such as file size, server capacity, form capabilities, costs, etc. Some charge by the month - others by the year. Some will offer a package deal depending on length of hosting.
6. Research meta tags for your home page - so that web crawlers, spiders, and search engines can find your site. This is especially important if you are selling products or services from your website.
7. Make sure your pages are easy to navigate and have an alternate navigation path.
8. Keep your pages simple in terms of design - don't incorporate too many bells and whistles.
9. Consider colors for color-challenged persons. Some people may see red and green as the same colors.
10. When adding audio - consider those that are hearing impaired - be considerate of all your readers.
11. Have non-offensive graphics - you never know who will visit your site - you can't control your visitors!
12. PROOF! Test your links and read through your text before it goes 'live!'

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead of time so that you do not have to redo your work.
• If hand-coding your website pages - error check!
• Watch your commas, semicolons, etc.