A simple guide to building a basic web site

Putting together a website is no harder than creating a document in a word-processing program. Here's how to get a basic site up and running.

• Experienced Web designers use versatile software such as Front Page or Dreamweaver. But if you're a beginner, it's easiest to use a pre-designed template and build your website online.
• Many Web companies will let you do this for free.

• Consider the content of your site. Gather together all the text you want to include, plus all the pictures, movies, sound files and so forth.
• Think about the structure and the links.
• Draw a rough diagram of the various pages. That way, you'll have a workable visual hierarchy for your intended site.
• Keep the design simple so that users can easily find their way around the pages.

• Before anything else, register your site if you haven't already done so.
• Choose a template that fits the kind of site you intend to make.
• You'll find various categories, and a number of differently themed designs within each category.

This will be the last part of your site's name. So if it's for a business, use the company name.

• Start by writing out or cutting-and-pasting your text into the boxes that appear.
• Use the other buttons and links to alter the elements of the template so that it conforms to the plan that you have made.
• Each new page can be slotted into the hierarchy that you sketched out at the beginning.

• Regularly check how your site is shaping up.
• Once you're happy with it, click "Save" and your Web pages will go live on the Web.
• You can go back in and change your site at any time.

In today's world, a web site isn't an option. Whether it's personal or work-related, now you can make a basic site that puts your name on the web.