How to Build a Free Kid Website

A free kid website can be used for school projects.

The traditional means of building a website consists of buying a domain name, finding a web host and designing the site with a web design program. But for a parent looking to build a free website for her child, this method may not be ideal. Whether your child needs a website for a school project or just wants one to share pictures and information with his friends and family, using a free website-building service allows parents to create a free kid website quickly.

Instructions

Google Sites

1. Click the "Create Site" button on the Google Sites homepage.

2. Select a template box to determine how your website is framed, or browse additional templates by clicking the link "Browse the gallery for more."

3. Give your website a name and URL by typing your desired name into the box under "Name Your Site." The name you give your site will automatically become its extension URL, but you can change it by deleting the auto-text and typing your desired URL extension into the box labeled "Your site will be located at this URL."

4. Click the plus sign next to "Choose a theme" and select your theme by clicking on the design you want to use as the background picture on your website.

5. Click the plus sign next to "More Options." Under the heading "Share with," click the bubble next to either "Everyone in the world can view this site" or "Only people I specify can view this site." The latter will prevent the general public from viewing your child's website and better maintain her privacy.

6. Type the text shown in the Captcha and click "Create Site."

7. Replace the existing text and images with your child's to personalize his new website.

WordPress

1. Click the "Sign Up Now" button on the WordPress homepage.

2. Fill out the form by creating a user name and password and entering your email address. Next, read the terms of service and click the box to accept them. Finally, select the option "Just a user name, please" and click "Next."

3. Navigate to the inbox for the email address you provided and look for an email from WordPress. Click the link in the email to activate your account.

4. Log in to WordPress in the window that opened when you activated your account.

5. Click the tab "My Blogs" just under the WordPress logo in the top left-hand corner of the screen. Choose the "Register a blog" link.

6. Change the URL and title of your website by entering the desired URL and title into the "Blog Domain" and "Blog Title" text boxes. Choose your default language from the drop-down box next to "Language" and decide whether you want your website to appear in search engines by clicking the "Privacy" check box to add a check or remove it. Leaving this box unchecked will make it more difficult for the general public to find your website. Click "Create Blog" when you've finished filling out this form.

7. Click the "My Dashboard" tab at the top of the screen. This is where you'll find all of the tools to help personalize your child's website. Although WordPress isn't technically a website--it's a blog--adding additional pages to your blog will make your WordPress blog function more like a website.

Blogger

1. Click the "Create a Blog" button on the Blogger homepage.

2. Fill out the form to create your account by entering your email address, choosing a user name and password, choosing the name you want displayed on your website and entering your birthday. Read Blogger's terms of service and accept them by clicking the check box next to "Acceptance of Terms." Click the "Continue" button to begin building your website.

3. Give your website a name and URL by entering the desired name and URL into the "Blog title" and "Blog address (URL)" text fields. Click the "Continue" button.

4. Select a template box to determine how your website is framed and designed and click the "Continue" button.

5. Click the link "customize how your blog looks" to start personalizing your website. Although Blogger sites aren't technically websites, adding additional pages to your blog will make your blog work more like a website.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have minimal Internet experience, you may find it easier to work with Google Sites and Blogger than WordPress.

• WordPress allows you to host your website on a domain name you own. If you would rather have a personalized URL and not just an extension on the website you used to build your website, WordPress may be the best choice for you.

• Choose your privacy settings wisely. Under the default privacy settings for each website building service, anyone can find your child's website on the Internet.

References

• WordPress: Getting Started

Resources

• Google Sites
• WordPress
• Blogger