subject: How To Make Your Own Website [print this page] Nowadays website building is available for anyone, even newbies who don't know much about website creation. Don't be afraid, building a website is not at all difficult and doesn't cost much. Follow these easy steps and you will soon have your first web page.
Step 1. Web Host
Before you start building an actual website, you need to find a place where it will be hosted. The choice is wide and the prices for hosting services are very different, some are even free. Choose a web host according to your needs. A business website or an online store will probably require dedicated or shared hosting - a separate reliable server specifically for your website, 24/7 support etc. But if you want to create a personal blog or website, you can start with a free web host.
Step 2. Domain Name
Choosing a domain name is an important part of the website building process. It must be short enough for your visitors to remember it easily, must be associated with your website. Therefore think twice before choosing a name for your web page. You can choose a domain name in a number of domain zones like .com, .net, .org etc. The domains are not expensive but you must not forget to renew your domain in time (usually once a year).
Step 3. Website Layout
Design of your website is very important and depends on the type of content you plan to have on it. A personal web page can be designed manually in pure HTML. An online store or an online cinema will require more advanced skills and technologies, you might even need to find a professional web developer to help you. You can also use a Content Management System for your website - in this case all you will need to do is to fill it with content.
Step 4. Search Engine Optimization
After you have finished building your website, you need to take care about its visitors. They won't just come from nowhere, especially when there are thousands of other websites on the Web. That's why you should help search engines find and index your web page: add unique content to your website and do not copy it from other web pages; add a sitemap file that will help search engines index the website content faster and more effectively; website texts must make it clear what your website is devoted to; try not to overload your website with animations and advertisements.
