Are you creating your own web page, or would like to?
Here are ten tips and a LOT of good links!
Do a little web surfing. Check out the "Top 100" sites listed on
Web100, Wisecat, or some other listing. Look for sites that are visually pleasing and easy to use. Note what you like/don't like about them.
When you find a site that you especially like (one that is about what you would like for your site's first page), go up to the toolbar and select "View," and then "source." What you will see is the HTML code that the site developer used to develop the page.
Familiarize yourself with the HTML language that the site developer used to create the page. Compare the code with the resulting page, so that you know what the code does (if you are in doubt as to what the code means or does, go to
Don't be afraid to copy someone else's source code (unless it's copywrited!). On the web, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! However, when it comes to graphics, be sure to ask before using graphics that someone has probably paid for! A little note of thanks on your site for borrowed material or, better yet, a link to the site, is always appreciated!
Be judicious in your use of graphics. Gif files are generally preferable to jpeg and other files that take a long time to load. If a person has to wait thirty seconds to download your page, you will probably lose them. The same is true of backgrounds - Keep it simple!
Don't make individual pages too long. Your first page should contain very little scrolling. It should be visually pleasing, interesting, provide enough information to make the visitor want to view the site, and provide an easy means to access the site. Think of it as the cover of a book. Try to keep everything in the immediate viewing area.
Subsequent pages may require some scrolling, but don't make them too long. Make sure information on each page is topically pertinent (ie. Don't mix apples and oranges on the same page, unless the topic is fruit!) and consistently presented (don't use many different fonts, too many graphics, etc.). Think also of consistency throughout your pages - have a theme, graphic, or layout that is consistent throughout your pages.
A few items you will want to have on your computer: a web-site creator is nice (this page was done on Microsoft Word - FrontPage or another similar editor makes the job a lot easier, and has FTP built in). An FTP program (
WebMaster Free has many such free programs), and a good Graphics Program (I like Paintshop Pro) are a must. That's enough to get you going. The links I'm providing will get you to sites that have other tools available.
The important thing in putting up your web site is to start simple, then add. Don't put up links that are dead-ends, thinking that you will get around to finishing them later, or wait until you have a completely-finished site before posting. Your web site will always be growing - get started. Begin with a nice presenting page - the one that people will see when they first visit your site. Take a lot of time with it, and get it right - then post it. Remember to put your e-mail address on this and every page!
Next, work on a page that gives a more formal introduction of you, your staff, business, family, etc. to those who visit - along with a picture or two (remember to smile!). After that, sit down and plan out your pages, along with how you want the flow of traffic to move through your site (Do you REALLY want the visitor to have to go through ten pages before they can get to the information they are looking for?). Think of the site as a house with rooms in it - as they visit each "room" there will be interesting things for them to see and experience - the pages related to that "room." After your organization is done, create a directory on your first page that will take them to each "room" of the house. From there, they can explore what is interesting to them.