The Basics on Creating your Web Site

If you asked me a year ago (January of 2008) to build a website, I would’ve called you crazy, laughed, and walk away. I had no clue what HTML, PHP, and MYSQL were. The only thing about HTML I knew was copying and pasting it to my myspace page to have my page look better. Well that believe it or not, is basic HTML and from there I self taught myself on basic web design. Just embedding Youtube videos or Photobucket pictures into emails is also basic HTML, so if you do that, you already know basic web designing now you need a to know the steps to creating your own website.

I will explain to you how to set up your own hosting, getting a domain, and networking to drive traffic to your site. I will get more into Networking and making money online in another post. Lets just teach you the basics.

First you will have to set up your Domain Name. This may sound really easy, but in fact, it is the hardest part about creating a website. With more and more people becoming more familiar with the internet, the availability of good domain names has gotten smaller and smaller. You want to be able to give a good idea about what your site is about with a good domain name. If you know what search terms you want your website to show up in Google, Yahoo, and MSN, put them in your domain name. For example, if you would love to be in the top position on Google for the term “buying foreclosures” then put that term in your website. There is a good chance that buyingforeclosures.com is already taken so get creative with different combinations. Here are some that I would try using:

• Buying-Foreclosures.com
• Buyingforeclosuresonline.com
• Buyingforeclosuresin2009.com
  
• cheapforeclosures.com
  

Once you begin your search for available domains, you will notice that 9 out of 10 domains you think of will be taken. If that is the case, try putting a dash in the domain or a number in it to change it up. The main thing you want is to get some good keywords in the domain. You could also buy a couple of domains, say you want buyforeclosure.com, but it is already taken. You could do buyforeclosureinyourhomestate.com as your main domain, but you can also buy buyforeclosure1234.com and forward this address to your main address, and since it is shorter, and easier to remember, you can have all your email off of your secondary domain, and even promote that website and it will forward to your main domain. Sort of like forwarding your cell phone to your home phone.

What is the Best, .com, .info, .biz, .net, .org?
.com is essentially the best. Average internet users tend to feel that a .com site has more authority than a .biz or .info. Some people will say that it doesn’t matter but that is my opinion. I have found that most times in a search query, people will choose a .com over anything else.

As a second option, I would go with a .net and as a last resort, go with a .org or .info. I haven’t had too much experience on the .biz

Searching for a Domain Name
I have always preferred using godaddy.com to search for available domains. One of the great things about them is if the domain you are looking for is unavailable; they will show you similar names that are available such as a .net or .biz as well as other key words. There are other good Domain Registrars out there, but I personally feel comfortable with godaddy.com. Another good Domain Registrar is1&1.com. While the domain name registration process is the same at almost every registrar, the hosting options can be different. That's why you need to understand what each host offers before signing up.

What is hosting?
Hosting companies provide space on a server so that a client can host their own website that is visible on the World Wide Web. Most hosting companies offer a wide array of packages from very small starting at around $3.99 a month to more complex packages at up to $199.99 a month. Several hosting packages also include a FREE domain as well so you can pretty much have you hosting and domain set up in a matter of minutes.

Important things to understand about hosting:

• Linux or Microsoft - Most people would gravitate towards a familiar name but in this case, Linux is the better way to go. Microsoft hosting requires knowledge of ASP programing or ASP.net. For the beginner, I always recommend Linux Hosting Packages.


• Web Space - This is similar to an iPod in how much data you are allowed to store. Small sites tend to require less space and anything from 10-20 gigs should be good to get you started.


• File Transfer / Bandwidth - This is how much data gets transferred when someone visits your site. If your page consists of one big image that is 1 megabyte, every time someone visits your site, they are transferring 1 meg. 100 visits a day over 30 days is 3,000 megs or 3 gigs. Most hosting companies provide at least 300 gigs per month for basic packages.


• Databases - Once you become more comfortable with HTML and web design, you may want to set up database drive sites. These include blogs, wikis, and CMS (Content Management Sites) and will each require their own database.

Regular Website Hosting

A regular host is the most common type of hosting plan people choose to create their websites or pay a professional to create one for them. It's also the most flexible. You will be able to create an unlimited amount of web pages (within your account's space limit). In addition, you can add advanced features such as a chat room, forum, shopping cart, user interaction (profiles, memberships, etc). You can use web editing software with this option or you can create your pages from scratch by hand coding HTML / CSS. Or you could be better off purchasing an HTML Editor, where it is a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG). Basically, you don’t need to know how to Write HTML and you will just edit in the WYSIWYG section.

Some Great HTML Editors to use:

Adobe Dreamweaver Developer Toolbox

Template Builder Hosting

This type of website hosting is the easiest to use because no software or programming is needed. Pre-created website templates are provided for you and creating your web pages is as easy as pointing and clicking your mouse. However, with the ease of use you may find some space and technical limitations. Make sure you've defined the purpose of your site first. Template builder hosting is best for simple, personal sites.

Some Great Template Builder Hosting Sites to use are:

Recommended Domain Registrars and Hosting
Now that you have found an available domain name, the next step is to register it. I recommend that you register your domain with the same company that you plan on hosting with. Especially if you are a newbie, transferring domains, forwarding domains, and changing the DNS may be confusing. Plus many hosting companies include a free domain when you set up your hosting package with them. Here are a couple of Registrars that I have used:

So Let’s Get Your Website Started!!!

Now that you got your Domain, now you have to build your Website. Like I mentioned Previously in this article, there are 2 types of hosting. If you have NO experience in Web Design, you may be better off with a Template builder host. A Template Builder Host has the Frame work laid out for you, all you have to do is type what you want in the spaces provided. As this is limited, it could save you a bunch of time. Use some of the recommended sites above. If you are a Real Estate Investor, I recommend www.thewebinizer.com it has a lot of great tools and is geared toward Real Estate Investors.

Now for Regular Web Hosting, I would recommend godaddy.com to host your website, but I would also highly recommend purchasing an HTML Editor if you plan on going this route. I like Adobe Dreamweaver the best. I am most comfortable using that editor as it is very user friendly. Another great HTML Editor is CoffeeCup. CoffeeCup may be more in depth and has some great tutorials. Coffee Cup could be better for the beginner user.

Now you Should Be Creating your Website!!!

As you can see, it really isn’t that hard to create your own website, especially when you go with the Template builder. If you have any questions about any information, please feel free to email me at support@reiaresource.com The above mentioned is my opinion, I am not a Web Designer or Programmer, and I am just reffering sites to help the average person, like me, create a website for their business.

Thanks for your time,

John Fossetti

Support@johnfossetti.com
Find me on Skype at john.fossetti
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