How to Create a Website (with Images)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 02:28

Creating a website is a fun way to share your thoughts and opinions with others. If you've never done it before, building a website can certainly sound daunting. While there's a lot of code like http-dot-blablabla, or, you also probably don't know how to insert images and text on web pages. But that's okay! This article can help you understand the intricacies of creating a website in no time!

Step

Part 1 of 4: Website Design

Step 1. Get inspired

Look for websites with attractive designs and think about why they are considered attractive. What makes it interesting is usually the placement of information, resources, links, and web pages in a layout that makes it easy for visitors to see and use. To get ideas on how to design your site, look at websites that have attractive designs so you can get an idea of how different content is placed on the page.

• Keep thinking realistically with the abilities you have.
• Ease of accessing content is of utmost importance when designing a site. If there is no particular information that can be easily seen or accessed, make sure that visitors can still access that information in a very logical way (eg not having to be thrown to the site or ad first).
• Generally, the simpler the site design, the fewer pages there are, the better site you will have.

Step 2. Determine the topic and purpose of the site

If you already have a good idea of the main focus or topic of your site, skip this step. If not, there are a few things that can help you figure out the main topic or focus of your site. First, understand that there are billions of people surfing the internet, and most of them have websites. If you limit yourself to things or topics that have never been discussed or used, you can't start anything.

• Find out what comes to your mind when you hear or think about the 'internet'-whether e-commerce, music, news, social activities or blogging. These things can help you determine the focus or purpose of the site to be created.
• You can create a site dedicated to your favorite band and provide a chat column where people can chat about the band.
• You can also create web pages for families, but you need to be careful. There are a lot of bad people on the internet and the family information you include on your web page can be used by irresponsible people to harm you. For private family sites, it's a good idea to add a password to keep the information on the site safe.
• If you are a news fan, or want to create a more 'filtered' media than the regular news media, create a website and get a general news feed available from news providers like Reuters, BBC, AP, and others. Create your own news aggregator (in everyday life, we know it as a 'newspaper'), then view and display all the news suitable for digitizing.
• If you have creative writing skills, you can create a blog that allows you to write whatever you want and attracts monthly readers.

Step 3. Make a plan

Creating a website requires a commitment of time and-possibly-funds so you need to set limits on both aspects, and try your best to come up with a proper plan. Your plan doesn't need to be in the form of a large, complicated worksheet, or a visually stunning presentation. At the very least, you need to consider the function of the website for you and your visitors, the content to be displayed, as well as the placement of the content and other aspects on the site's pages.

Step 4. Gather the content you want to display

There are various types of content available and a lot of content that requires consideration before you display it. You need to figure out what content is best suited for your site and your needs. Some things to consider include:

• Online shop: If you want to sell an item, you need to determine the availability of the item to your customers. If you have relatively few items to sell, you might be able to set up a shop through a hosting service. Sites such as Tokopedia, Blibli.com, and Bukalapak are well-known online store hosting services that allow you to sell various items and set your own prices.

• Step 5. Create a flow chart

  For most people, a website starts with a main page. This page is the page that visitors see first when they visit the address www.yoursitename.com. However, where do they go once they enter the page? If you take the time to find ways for visitors to interact with your site, it will be easier for you the next time you have to create navigation buttons and links.

  

  Step 6. Plan the site design for the user's device or situation

  In recent years, smartphones and tablets have become very popular platforms for surfing the internet. However, these tools require a specially designed site. If you want to create a site that stays up-to-date and remains accessible to a large number of visitors, make plans to design your site in different versions for different devices, or create a responsive design that can make adjustments automatically when necessary.

  Part 2 of 4: Creating a Website

  

  Step 1. Decide what method or tool will be used to create the website

  Once you have a basic idea and a design plan, the next thing to think about is how you go about creating it. There are many options available, and people sometimes try to sell you 'fantastic' apps and other things they think they should install or display on the site. However, the reality is that there are only a few really good tools for creating a website, and one of them may be the most appropriate tool for your situation and needs.

  

  Step 2. Create your own website

  This is first choice which you can follow. If you have a website builder application like Adobe Dreamweaver, creating a website from scratch is not a very difficult job. You do need to do some coding, but you don't need to panic. Although the use of HTML code seems complicated, it's actually like when you listen to complex poems, such as some of Sapardi Djoko Damono's poems. At first, the poem may be difficult for you to understand, but once you get an idea, you can interpret it more easily.

  • Pros: Website design programs simplify the site creation process by allowing you to drag and drop images, text, buttons, movies/videos, and other content. Usually, you don't have to do any HTML coding when using the program. In addition, many website design programs even let you create websites specifically designed for smartphones or tablets. If you are planning to create a regular personal website, using a program like this can be a good choice.
  • Disadvantages: Using a program like this provides a learning curve (you'll learn new things or better understand things you're not good at) and, although you don't need to be deep in HTML coding, it doesn't mean you don't need to do more complicated work. If you have a deadline, using a website design program may not be the right choice. The biggest drawback of using a program like this is that, if you're not a graphic designer, you'll probably feel overwhelmed by unsightly web pages. To fix this, you can try some of the free templates or samples provided in the app (or from the internet). However, you should still pay attention to the existing site restrictions.

  

  Step 3. Use a content management system (CMS)

  This is second choice. WordPress is an example of a great choice for creating a website. Sites like these allow you to quickly and easily create web pages and blog posts, manage menus, allow submissions and manage user comments, and have thousands of themes and plug-ins that you can choose and use for free. Apart from WordPress, Drupal and Joomla can also be the right CMS choices. Once the CMS is stored on the server, you can manage your site from anywhere, as long as an internet connection is available.

  • Pros: Very easy to use. The installation is very fast (one-click install). In addition, there are plenty of options available to beginners (more experienced users can also do quite a bit of advanced customization).
  • Cons: Some themes have limited features, and not all themes can be used for free.

  

  Step 4. Build your website from scratch

  This is third choice. If you want to build a website from scratch, you need to use HTML and CSS code. There are several ways to expand your HTML capabilities and add more features or details to your website. If you want to develop a professional website (eg business or work), the following can help you highlight the advantages of your site so that you can stand out from the competition.

  • Learn to code CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). CSS provides more flexibility for designing HTML, and makes it easier for you to make basic changes (eg changes to font, page header, color scheme) in one place, and apply those changes to your site.
  • XHTML is a web language developed by the W3C standards. Similar to HTML, the use of XHTML must follow a more stringent set of rules regarding information marking. In general, these rules signal minor changes to the way code is written.
  • Find out about HTML5. This is the fifth revision of the main HTML standard. This revision will be a mix of the currently used HTML version (HTML4) and XHTML.
  • Learn a client-side scripting language, such as JavaScript. This scripting language can enhance your ability to add interactive elements to your site, such as graphics, maps, and more.
  • Learn a server-side scripting language. Scripting languages such as PHP, ASP with JavaScript, or VB Script or Python can be used to change the appearance of web pages for different situations, and allow you to edit or create forums. These languages also help store information about visitors who visit your site, such as usernames, account settings, and even temporary 'shopping carts' for shopping sites.
  • AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a technique of using browser-side and server-side scripting languages so that web pages get new information from the server without having to be updated. This can significantly reduce user waiting time and improve the user's visiting experience without increasing bandwidth usage. For websites that are visited a lot, or electronic shopping sites, the use of AJAX can be the right solution.

  

  Step 5. Hire a professional website creation service

  This is fourth and final choice. If you don't want to design a website yourself, or learn a new coding language-especially for more complex sites-hire a professional website builder. But before you rent, ask for a portfolio of the site builder's work, and check the references carefully.

  Part 3 of 4: Testing the Website and Launching It

  

  Step 1. Register your domain name

  If you have the funds, there are several strategies for buying domain names on the cheap. Look for domain names that are easy to remember and spell. If you use a domain name ending in.com, you will get more visitors. However, the domain names that are easiest to remember or spell are usually already taken so you need to get creative in coming up with a domain name for your site!

  • In Indonesia, you can check sites like Rumah Web, DomaiNesia, or IDWebhost to find out and find a suitable domain name for your website. WordPress also actually offers a feature that allows you to use a name followed by the name of the WordPress site, such as “mysite.wordpress.com”. However, if the domain name you want to register is available as (for example) mysite.com, WordPress will notify you when you register.
  • You can buy a domain name if it is 'parked' or sold through business selling websites. However, before buying a domain name at a high price, it's a good idea to get financial and official advice first.

  

  Step 2. Check your website

  Before you launch your site, it's a good idea to do a thorough test run. Most web design programs have a way to test websites without going through the internet. Look for missing markers or tags, broken links, search engine optimization, and flaws in site design. These are factors that can affect website traffic and revenue. You can also create fully functional sitemaps for free to enter into search engines like Google, in just a short amount of time.

  

  Step 3. Test your website

  Once you've finished creating it, do a usage test. You can do this by asking some friends or family members to try the site. Give them specific commands such as editing a profile or buying a t-shirt from a page or product catalog. Sit behind them and watch how they move from page to page, and don't help them. You are likely to find some sections or pages where access needs to be improved or to clarify some of the instructions listed on the site. Alternatively, you can use the services of a site like zurb.com to ask users with certain demographic criteria (and different purposes) to test your site. Starting from 2014, when testing your site, you need to consider the type of platform your users are using and make sure your site works well on smartphones, tablets and, of course, computers.

  Take note of things that you find difficult or less intuitive for site visitors

  

  Step 4. Launch your website

  Choose a web host and upload your site. Your chosen web host may provide an FTP (file transfer protocol) feature, or you can download an FTP program yourself such as FileZilla or CyberDuck. If you hire a professional to design your website, the designer can take care of FTP settings for your site (it's a good idea to keep a few questions to know about this feature).

  Keep in mind that there are several ways to host your website for free

  Part 4 of 4: Considering Some Things About Website

  

  Step 1. Narrow down your site concept

  If you're creating a site for income, think about what ideas stand out so that you get the most revenue. What ideas require the most commitment? What other ideas seemed fun to try? Do you spend a lot of time creating a site so choose the idea that interests you the most (and is the most practical and will allow you to earn the most income).

  

  Step 2. Define your goals and work towards achieving them

  You may create a website for entertainment purposes only, to earn income, or a combination of the two. Knowing your expectations will make building a site easier. You will also find it easier to track and describe the results.

  

  Step 3. Be prepared for the competition

  Although content sharing sites require less investment, the competition will be more because anyone can create a content sharing site. To get revenue from sites like this, provide information and earn revenue from the visits you get through advertising, such as through Google Adsense. To optimize the use of Google Adsense, you need to write useful content and make it interesting for people to visit your site. Use specific keywords aimed at people using specific keywords or terms. However, don't get carried away when creating keywords because the content you create doesn't match your keywords and visitors don't like it.

  

  Step 4. Be prepared with the responsibilities that must be taken

  Electronic shopping sites (which, of course, sell products) still require care and attention. You need to think about shipping, sales, taxes, SSL (secure socket layer, one of the security protocols), inventory updates, and everything else that needs to be managed (as well as the factors that a physical store owner manages). When selling products on the internet, it is important that you use a quick-response system for any questions or complaints you may have. Many companies also offer telephone assistance (you can use a third party or an employee, if necessary).

  If your goal is simply to increase your income stream, you can also sell other people's products through affiliate programs. This program allows you to earn money without having to buy the product in advance or worrying about the product delivery system

  

  Step 5. Identify the audience or market share you want to reach

  What kind of visitors are expected to visit your site? Do some market research first to find out more about your site visitors. Some things you need to know, among others, are occupation, age, and other interests. This information can make your website more useful. However, be careful not to assume that your site is only targeted at one group of people. You need to keep an eye on other trends that different people are interested in so you can meet their needs and get more opportunities.

  

  Step 6. Do keyword research

  This is important to see if people are looking for topics relevant to your site. Also, this research is useful for learning more about your potential clients. By working to combine the most searched keywords with your site, you can rank your site better in search engines. There are several tools available from Google (eg. google.com/trends/ and google.com/insights/search/#), Overture, and third-party software developers who make the keyword research process easier.

  • Include the selected keywords spread out in the text or content you submit on the site. However, don't list them too much (or put them too close together) so that the quality of the content doesn't decrease.
  • Creating a site that is optimized for search engines can help visitors find your site. This is actually more important than site design. Of course it's useless if your site has a good design but is not visited by anyone.

  

  Step 7. Advertise your site

  Once your website is uploaded to the internet, you want it to be visited. Therefore, let people know about your site!

  • Enter your site into the major search engines. There are several sites that can help you get your site into search engines, though you can still do this yourself.
  • Tell your friends. Keep tweeting about your site. Add a sitelink to a Facebook status update, submit a snapshot of your site's snippet to Flickr, or post it on your LinkedIn account. Basically, send a link or tell about your site anywhere. The more visitors who see your site, the better.
  • Use the email address with your domain. Visit other sites that complement (not compete) with yours, and offer link exchanges or blogging/guestbook messaging. Write constructive posts on blogs and forums, and include the address (URL) of your site in the signature field.
  • Use article marketing. Creating and submitting search engine optimized articles on other sites can be a useful way to create backlinks to your site. This can help increase your site's ranking in search engines, but you should still keep up with search engine developments or updates that (often) affect your SEO (search engine optimization) strategies and make them less useful or, in fact, lower your site's ranking.

  

  Step 8. Provide quality site content and services

  Most importantly, listen to your visitors and customers, and listen to their experiences when they visit or use your site.

  • Take constructive comments seriously. Your other band members, fans, and friends may have ideas for a better site navigation system.
  • Think about a few things about the target market or visitor: their needs, their frustrations, and the situation they are in. As much as possible, help them to live more easily and find out more information.

  Tips

  • Often people don't have much time. On average, you have 3-7 seconds to grab people's attention so you need to think more carefully in choosing what visitors see first when they visit your site. To reduce load time, do not include images that are too large. Compress the images whenever possible. Use advanced technologies like JavaScript, Flash, streaming music and video, etc. appropriately and only when needed to display content only.
  • If you hire a professional to do complex website coding, remember that programmers don't always work as graphic designers. The most eye-catching sites on the internet are created or designed by someone involved in the graphic design world. His best advice, especially for professional sites, is to choose the right team to create the site: designers create a suitable and attractive site design and 'ambience'; programmers do everything to make the site run; the marketing section locates the site and makes sure it is relevant; and writers create site content.
  • If you want to sell a product that visitors can find through search engines, make sure the product being sold is the first thing visitors see when they visit your site. The more visitors have to click on your site, the more likely the visitor will visit other sites.
  • Look for popular sites (even if their content or theme is not similar to yours) and use them as examples. What have these sites managed to demonstrate well? What's interesting about its layout, content, and navigation system? Apply the relevant aspects that you have learned by viewing these sites on your site, and adjust those aspects to suit your needs.
  • Start with simple things. Practice those things, then look for ways to improve them (even if your work wasn't that great when you first made it). Don't be in a hurry when going through the site creation process.
  • If you want to sell products through the site, you need to accept secure payments via credit card. You can create a seller account (with a fee charged for each transaction) or use a free payment service such as PayPal. Always read the terms and conditions carefully. In addition, keep in mind that many features or credit facilities like this require you to make a guarantee for lost or damaged shipments (to fix this, you can find out or use insurance services).

  Warning

  • Do not break the trust of visitors. Respect their privacy. Content such as spam messages, annoying pop-up windows, and irrelevant ads can damage your credibility as a site owner. One way to build credibility is to include or implement a clear privacy statement. Try providing persistent links to access the privacy statement from every page on your site, as well as from various locations or pages that ask visitors to enter their personal information. Also provide valid contact information. If you need to place an ad on your site, explain to visitors why, and show visitors that you are doing your best to accommodate their visit, and you really should!
  • If you are using content from another site (whether photos, JavaScript code, or whatever), seek permission from the original owner of the content and state who the original owner was. Otherwise, the original owner of the content may sue you.
  • Remember not to delete your account details (username, password, etc.). If at any time you forget your site account details and you do not have any backup files or information, you will not be able to access or update the site. And more importantly, never share or give account details to anyone else (except your website address).
  • Be careful not to over-follow all the latest advice on marketing websites. While some suggestions are helpful, others are less helpful. Keep in mind that marketing is not a science-marketing is an ongoing and changing experiment. You are the most entitled to determine the site promotion strategies that will be done (or not done). Also, listening to site visitors and learning from their experiences is the best approach.