Heartless Adrenaline

Creating a Website

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Creating a website is a rather easy thing to do - however, it's a process that should be fully met.
Here's my way/advice of creating a website. I hope that it'll give you the best start possible.
These separate elements of website creation are listed in an order that I'd do them in. If you feel like you should mix it up, go ahead.

Choose the Type of Website


There are several types of websites out there for one to choose from. Each site has a different purpose, so choose what you'd like to be presenting.
Specialist Sites Websites that specialise in one specific subject. Ex, Time and Date. This website only had dates and times, but it's still frequently used.
Resource Sites Primarily, this site is a resource sites because graphic and coding resources are provided for other people to choose from. These sites can also specilise in a more specific field, such as MySpace layouts. Though a popular choice around here, the competition is high.
Doll Sites These are cute sites that make and use graphic dolls for visitors. A big doll site is PixelBee.
Portfolio Sites Portfolio sites are basically a personal portfolio for you to display, usually for clients. You could have a photography portfolio site like Ian Plant's.
Blog Sites One way to get yourself out these is to blog/update others on your life. Blog sites are about you! (Note - blog sites aren't signed up for LiveJournal, they have their own severs).
Tutorial Sites There are tons of things to do out there, thus tons of tutorials! There are lots of how-to sites to visit and make, from make-up to photoshop to crafts, and mixtures.
Pick something you'd like to do, even combine two or more for your site. The type of site you choose will reflect your personality (but ownage of any type of website says that one's a cool person!)

Create a Site Name


Depending on the type of website you're making, the site name can change. The more your site specialises, the more reflective your site name should be. Also, think about your audience. Find a neutral name if you'd like to appeal to everybody, or a grungey name if you'd like to appeal to goths.
If you'll be making a doll/resource/blog site, the most popular thing to do is choose whatever's cute and reflects your personality! I chose HeartlessAdrenaline since it appealed to me for over a year. There's a site namer I've come up with here.
If your site is more about tutorials, something short and neutral is recommended. Ex. 'Learn' and 'Tutorialized.'
If you think that a more specialised site is right for you, choose something that easily reflects that. Ex. 'Alphabetizer' or 'Date and Time.' For portfolio sites, you'll basically be making something of a company name. Ex. 'Ian Plant Photography' - that's the website name, that's the name of the business.

Once you've selected a site name that appeals to you, and the audience you're looking for, search Google and domain checkers like GoDaddy to make sure that your domain is available and not taken. I'd recommend dropping the name if somebody else already has a website by that name, just because name-stealing is annoying and problematic.
Hold onto your name for a while to see if you still like it after some time.

Get a Domain & Server


If you'd like your website to be more professional and specialised, I recommend getting a domain first. I got my domain from GoDaddy and my host is AwardSpace, and I highly recommend these websites. Alternatively, you can create your layout first to save time you're paying for.
For blog/doll/resource site owners, I recommend getting a subdomain from someplace like Webs first. Become comfortable in that situation first before moving up to a domain.

Make a Layout


Your layout is one of the most important things in your website. It's the structure that your visitors will make note of most.
Make a layout that appeals to your audience of choice; use neutrals for a site designed for anybody.
For any type of site, there are certain things that must be in the layout: If you need help making a layout, click here to check out some of my tutorials. Or, you can Google.
*HINT - While making your layout, add elements that are easy to change with CSS/PHP/C++. It'll make webowning a lot easier.

Add Content


Before your site opens, add some stuff. Use your front page layout as a template to create the other pages. To help, make a to-do list for you to follow before your website opens.
Included linking buttons/banners in your content before opening.

Open Your Site


Do a quick run-through of your site to make sure everything's perfect for your opening. Then, open it! Tell people about your new website and let visitors run through.

I hope that this tutorial helped/will help you open a website and become successful with it. Good luck with your site!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me here.