How Do I Build My Own Website?

by Jon Faranda

Overview

Building a website for business or personal use can seem like an impossible task when getting started. But knowing the basics of web design, software, publishing and e-commerce and will make it a much easier task. Read on to educate yourself about the project.
The Basics

The first thing you need to know to build your own website is HTML, or hypertext markup language. The simple commands of HTML allow you to develop the basic structure of your website and include images, as well as links to other websites, pages within your own site, and videos. After you have developed some knowledge of HTML, consider purchasing web design software. The most well-known and widely used program is Adobe Dreamweaver, and it is particularly good for beginners. This will allow you to use a visual interface to design each page of your site with minimal knowledge of HTML. You can even download templates, many of which are available for free, to make the process even easier. If you want to create a more professional looking website, consider learning a little bit about JavaScript or Cascading Style Sheets. JavaScript is somewhat more complicated than HTML but will allow you to do a wide variety of things, such as increase user interactivity. Meanwhile, CSS will give you more control over how your web pages look and feel.

E-Commerce

One of the simplest ways to sell a product or service on the web is through PayPal. You can set up an account in just a few minutes, and after verifying your information you can accept money online and set up a shopping cart for your website. However, while setting up an account is free, you will probably be charged a percentage for debit and credit card transactions or a per-transaction fee.
Blog Platforms

Blog platforms are one of the best options if the goal of your website is to stay in touch or share pictures with friends and family, or if you'd just like to share your thoughts with the world. These platforms allow you to build your own site without learning any HTML, JavaScript or CSS. With this option you can publish content to your website as often as you like by simply plugging the information into a form and saving it. You can even customize the look of your site by choosing one of the many design templates available.

Overview