Building, Designing Your Website

Where Do I Begin When Building My Website?

There is much to know about building and designing a website. It begins with the type of software you use to build your website to the actually design. You'll get an insight to the different software programs available, as well as, the four basic website elements that need to be consistent if you want visitors and search engines to venture on your site.

Let's begin with the different tools that you can use to build your website.

What Is a Website Builder

A website builder is tool that enables you to construct a website without any knowledge of html or other web programming skills. Many website hosting services will offer a website builder tool that they created in-house, for the convenience of their customers. but with everything there are both pros and cons.

Pros of a Website Builder

Easy to use

Drop and Drag

Large selection of templates, fonts, pictures

Offered free by most web hosting companies

In most cases, security updates is provided by the web hosting company

Cons of a Website Builder

Limited flexibility-With a website builder you will not have much control over the layout. If you want html codes to advertise links, you may have a problem, since most are script based. You will have to either ask about the company's site builder and its capabilities, as well as try it out. Most cases, Adsense, widgets, PayPal, forms cannot be added to your website with website builder.
There are more no go zones for PHP, Java and SQL.
Not suited for large or complete websites.

WYSIWYG HTML Editors

A WYSIWYG editor translated is "What You See Is What You Get". It is a system which allows you to see graphics and text displayed onscreen while editing in it's finished form. It may be have three screens, Normal View (Allows you to type and edit without using HTML), HTML screen (Though you may not want to use it, you will need it to put in Javascript, Adsense, etc.), Preview Screen (which let's you see what the finished product will look like.

If you want to add Adsense, widgets, PayPal, or forms you'll going to have to learn some HTML and use one of many WYSIWYG programs that is available online. Or if you have money to spare you can pay someone to manage your website.

For those of you who want to learn HTML and use a WYSIWYG program, here are some example of possible web editors that you can use.

WYSIWYG HTML Programs - Not Free

These WYSIWYG HTML programs are not free. Whatever program you do get, you would be wise to purchase an HTML book, or a book specific to the program you are using if it is available.

Dreamweaver
Expression Web
SiteSpinner - not very expensive
FrontPage-Yes, I've included FrontPage. As you will see, Amazon still sells FrontPage, at a more reduced rate, but it is still there. If you think you want to use FrontPage, look at 2003.

FREE WYSIWYG HTML Programs

There are also many free WYSIWYG programs. Though not extensive, here are some of the free WYSIWYG HTML editors:

Nvu
SeaMonkey
Komodo Edit
Archnophilia

Note: With free WYSIWYG programs you have to make sure that the software is being maintained and updated.

4 Website Elements To Keep Consistent

There are four website elements that you should try to keep consistent. And they are:

1. navigation
2. layout
3. color
4. speed

Website Colors

If you want people to be able to read your content easily, resist the dark background. Though it may look "Pretty", if it hurts your eyes to read your content, then assume the same for your visitors.

In addition, be aware that colors can have either a positive impact or a negative impact on your visitors. So choose your color scheme wisely. Here is an example of some colors and their mood.

Green – Money, wealth, prosperity, hope, growth, freshness.

Yellow – Light, purity, organization, happiness.

Brown – Credibility, stability, comfort and strength.

Black – Authority, classy, serious, power, elegance.

White – Purity, goodness, and spirituality. Note: In western cultures white represents marriage, but in Eastern cultures it can represent death.

Red - bold, excitement.

Website Layout

Keep your layout clean and clear. In addition, try to not overload your readers with too many divergent thoughts on a single page. They will find it hard to follow and will more than likely click away in frustration.

Navigation

Navigation is usually on the left or across the top. Make it easy for your visitors to move from page to page. Though you may not realize it, it also helps the search engines. If it helps the search engines it can help your website. Why? A little know item called "Breadcrumbs" is being offered by Google within the search results, which means your lead url may follow with a breadcrumb "url". This is a good thing, it gives your website wider exposure to the user(s).

Speed

The speed at which your pages load is important. Remember, just because you may have broadband, doesn't mean everyone else can afford the same cost. Thus, if the pages load slowly, assume the visitor will exit in frustration. And...

Goggle Addresses Page Loading Speed

According to Google, if the user has to wait a long time to have a page load for viewing, it is not giving the user a positive experience. Google felt it was time to clarify the "site speed" notion.

Site speed is one small part of the over 200 elements to be included in determining your page rank. However, relevant, useful content will always outweigh site speed. Now, let me define relevancy.

Relevancy refers to a "relationship to" other items. For example: baseballs, baseball bats, baseball hats, baseball shoe, etc. If you move away from this type of relevancy than it can affect your score for relevancy. But remember, relevancy alone will not get you a good score in the eyes of Google, highly relevant, original content is highly desirable.

All in all, it will always be up to the webmaster or blogger to use their own judgment when constructing their web pages. Meaning, do your best to make your blog or website as fast and user friendly as possible, but never make it a stressor that prevents you from creating quality content.

Website Content

If you want visits by the search engines be sure to include quality content on your website. The greater the quality of the content you offer on your site, the better the search engines will reward you. And, if you're wanting to use Adsense, content is necessary.

Let me emphasize, that quality content will draw the search engines and traffic to your website. Why do I emphasize "quality content"?
Quality content gives not only the traffic, but the creditability you need online.

Will you get rich overnight? No, but with hard work and persistence you can begin making money with your website.

The Google Sandbox

Let me tell you a little about the "Google Sandbox". When new websites come onboard Google has to have some way of measuring their importance. And, since a new site has not been seen, or visited by a search engine or human visitor, invariably the new site will have to go into a waiting area, referred to by many online as, the Sandbox.

The new website will remain in the Sandbox until it can be categorized and reviewed for importance. But, don't be disappointed. This six month lull in the action, offers a good time to tweak your website, improve on your content.

Continued Reading

Types of Websites To Build
Domain|SubDomain Facts