Create a Website - Step by Step Overview

Home >> Before You Build >> Quick Overview to Creating a Website

Looking for a free website? Discover why this is one of the worst decisions you can ever make if you're serious about the success of your website. Find out why I hate free web hosting.

Watch My Quick, 3 Minute Video on Website Creation

1) Static HTML Website

Years ago this was the only way to make a website, but as you'll see below there are more options.

You can either learn HTML and code your web pages by hand (Notepad) or buy an editor and publish your pages through the software.

For this website I used a free template from Dreamweaver. The original template was very bland, but I spiced it up with my knowledge of HTML and CSS. I even have avideo tutorial for Dreamweaver here.

Don't care to learn HTML? No problem! You can use a program like Artisteer, which is much more user-friendly than Dreamweaver and far more economical.

It's more of a design tool and you can export your entire layout to your computer and upload it to the web when you're ready to launch your website.

How to Start: If you choose this option, you'll need a domain name and a web host. You can get both from my store WebsitePalace.com. If you need some domain name tips, be sure to check this page first.

You'll also receive free HTML templates that you can edit and use for your site (no software necessary and video instructions included). The templates are on the thank-you page after you order, so don't miss them!

If you host your website at WebsitePalace.com, you will get your domain name for $1.99.

2) WordPress

This is the most popular method used today. WordPress is a content management system that lets you quickly and easily create a dynamic website with a commenting functionality and available plugins.

WordPress is open source and has hundreds of free plugins you can use to enhance your website. For example, if you'd like to add a Twitter button to all your pages, you simply install a free plugin and you're ready to go.

To create your site with WordPress, simply login to the admin panel, choose a theme and begin writing your content. This is definitely the fastest way to begin.

WordPress is typically known as a blogging platform, but if you don't want blogging to be the primary function of your site, then you can disable comments or arrange your site in a way that minimizes the blog look and feel. It's very flexible.

For example, I use WordPress for my blog. I update this site once a week with news and updates regarding Internet marketing, making money, blogging, etc.

Some people find WordPress a bit intimidating at first, which is why I developed atutorial that will help guide you along.

How to Start: You can also use WebsitePalace.com to create a WordPress site. Register your domain name and then choose the WordPress hosting option. You'll be able to install the free WordPress script and begin your site instantly.

3) Site Build It! (SBI!)

I have been a fan, supporter and customer of the SiteSell company since 1999. This is a very unique website creation system that teaches you how to build a web business from scratch.

Your domain name, hosting, site building tools, keyword research, marketing help, forum support, mailing list manager, autoresponder and more are all included and can be found under one login.

SBI! provides you with a 10-day action guide (text or video) that guides you along as you create your site.

The biggest benefit with SBI! that you do not get with the other two options is marketing help. Anyone can put up a site these days, but driving traffic and making money is another story. That's the hard part and most people need some sort of guidance.

Site Build It! offers unparalleled help from start to finish that I guarantee you won't find anywhere else. With the other two options you are more or less on your own.

I used SBI! to build Flat Stomach Exercises in 2005. I don't update this site much anymore because I created it primarily to test SBI!. However, this site still earns a solid level of passive income today (mostly from Google AdSense).

Watch a demo of me using my SBI! account
See my SBI! site's traffic success video.
Check out all the happy SiteSell customers on Facebook 

How to Start: Just head on over to SiteSell.com and sign up. Everything you need for your site will be provided after you order. No software needed.

Blog or Website?

Not really sure of the difference between a blog and a website? This page will explain the major differences.

Other Website Features

Want a gaming site?  Looking to create a forum, community or chat room for your visitors to communicate?  Maybe you want an online guestbook where people can leave you messages on your site.

This is where it gets a little tricky but don't let it discourage you.  As the Internet matures, it's getting easier and easier to setup these kinds of things on a website.

Today, most regular hosting companies like WebsitePalace.com come with free scripts when you buy web hosting. So you can install a chat room, membership site, forum, blog, etc. right from your hosting control panel -- no programming needed.

So once you activate your hosting account, you can install the scripts you need for your website in minutes.

Consider Joomla or Drupal

These are two Content Management Systems that are free when you buy hosting from most regular web hosting companies. Joomla and Drupal are excellent for membership sites or sites that require user interactivity, logins, etc.

The catch is you will have to learn how to use these systems once you install them on your domain. The good news is there are tons of free tutorials and YouTube videos on how to use them.

Making Money from Your Website

More and more people are coming to the web to either make a living or earn a part-time living from their websites.

It's certainly possible to make a full-time living online (like me), so if that's the route you're looking for, you've come to the right place.

I have an entire section here dedicated to making money online. You'll quickly see there are a variety of ways to generate revenue from your website.

I am an affiliate marketer and have been making money this way since 1998. Be sure to read my article and watch the video on affiliate marketing here.

Outsource The Programming

If you can't seem to find a script or you don't want to learn how to install them you can go to vWorker.com and have a programmer do the work for you.  I love this site.

All you do is sign up for an account and post a job.  In a matter of minutes, programmers will begin bidding on your job with a price. You take the bid you want.

It's very safe because you pay the programmers by using PayPal.com and you don't release the money to them until you are satisfied with their work.  You can also check a coder's feedback/history before you select them.  I use them all the time!

You can even have them design your site if you wish.  Just purchase your domain and web hosting and then have one of the coders create a template for you.  They'll even install it for you.