Do-it-Yourself Websites for Cheapskates and Simpletons
by Heather Reimer


Several years ago, at the beginning of my Internet career, I 
asked someone if HTML was an abbreviation for Hotmail. Yes, I 
really was that naive. Since then, I've learned a fair bit about 
HTML coding. I had to. 

As a writer, I needed an online presence for my web content 
services; and as an ornery, mule-headed, cheapskate writer, 
I was determined to build it myself in spite of those who said 
I should leave it to the experts.

This article is about how I learned HTML coding and built a 
functional, professional-looking site using mostly free/cheap 
tools and tutorials available on the web. I will not, however, 
tell you how fast and easy it was. In fact, it took about six 
months and almost drove me around the twist on several occasions. 
That's because I was working alone for most of the process and 
had to learn things the hard way... by trial and error. 

I hope to make your job easier by sharing a few tricks I picked 
up along the way.

GET A GOOD TUTORIAL

The very first thing you need is a good, beginner's tutorial 
in HTML. Regardless of what sort of design software you end up 
using some day, it's important to understand the basics of hard 
coding first. 

Once I got the hang of it, thanks to two excellent free 
tutorials, I decided to code my whole site by hand instead of 
trying to master an HTML editor like Microsoft Front Page, which 
would have meant yet another uphill learning curve. (Nothing 
wrong with design tools or ready-made templates... they just 
weren't the best solutions for me.) 

I recommend either of these simpleton-friendly tutorials: 

http://www.accessv.com/~email/webpages/ 

http://www.htmlgoodies.com/primers/primer_1.html

Don't just read them... open up a fresh page in your text editor 
and build along with the lesson. Once you've created a sort of 
sampler and you know how the various codes look in your browser, 
start working on your practice site. I wish I had found these 
tutorials when I first began toying with web design - they make 
learning a breeze. 

SCAVENGER HUNT

This is where things get fun.  Roam around the web looking for 
images and buttons and stuff to decorate your site with. Need 
some graphics but you aren't an artist? Do a search for "free 
images" or "free buttons". Forgot how to transfer them to 
your practice site? Go back to the tutorial and refresh your 
memory. Need a handy list of the most common codes? Web-Source 
has a comprehensive reference chart here: 

http://www.web-source.net/html_codes_explorer1.htm

(And if you have a few spare shekels, you can pick up 
Web-Source's excellent guide, Web Design Mastery, at the same 
address.) 

Don't be shy about checking out other webmasters' source codes. 
Click on View/Source and see how they've executed the design 
tricks you'd like for your own site. Usually the basic elements 
are easy to duplicate (unless the webmaster has cloaked the 
source code). 

CALL FOR HELP

Really, the best way to master the confusing world of web design 
is practice, practice, practice. But if you find you've plateaued 
and aren't making any headway, try to connect with someone who 
can mentor you through your block. My site was about half done 
and stick ugly when I was lucky enough to connect with business 
coach Michael Knowles (http://www.mwknowles.com). 

He's the one who tipped me off to the best bargain on the net: 
GotLogos.com will make you a professional logo based on your 
specs for $25 and deliver it in three days. If you plan to do 
business online, a logo is indispensable. 

Michael also opened my eyes to the vital importance of search 
engine optimization. Don't groan, this is a major aspect of web 
design and you need to know about it if you want people to 
actually find you on the net. Take some time to visit SEO sites 
- here are just two among many - and soak up some of their 
search engine savvy: 

http://www.spider-food.net
http://www.highrankings.com 

KEYWORD SEARCH

Now you've learned how important the right keywords are. But do 
you know WHAT the right keywords are, the ones that will attract 
the most visitors to your site?  

http://www.WordTracker.com has an unlimited free trial version 
that will help you find the words used most often by people 
searching for your type of product or service. This tool was 
invaluable to me and determined the keywords I wrote into my 
content, meta tag titles and descriptions. 

PAY ME, PLEASE

Last but certainly not least, to allow people to pay me for my 
words, I use PayPal. It doesn't cost my clients anything to send 
me money and the fees I pay to receive payment are minimal. As 
you have already guessed, I like things low-maintenance and 
cheap, and setting up a credit card account (even with a 
third-party provider) comes with fees and lots of conditions. 

So those are the main resources I used to graduate to Girl Web 
Designer. No, my site isn't full of high-tech wizardry and 
complex scripts... that's next year's project... but it works, 
it informs, it sells and it looks pretty good. See for yourself: 
http://www.TheWriteContent.com

Finally, don't let anyone tell you that only web designers can 
make websites. If you're stubborn, thrifty or you just like to 
do it yourself -- and if all you need is a basic, no frills site 
-- there's nothing stopping you. And oh-what-a-feeling! when the 
website you built goes online. I just wish I had known THEN what 
you know NOW!


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Heather Reimer writes action-provoking e-zine & web content, news 
releases, sales letters, ads and articles. Your online business 
CAN generate more traffic and revenue. For a FREE content 
analysis of your site, visit: http://www.TheWriteContent.com  
TheWriteContent.com delivers action-inspiring web content, sales 
letters, newsletters, press releases and more. Editing/
proofreading also available. 
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