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One route to take is to pick up some webpage building software such as
FrontPage
or
Dreamweaver
and learn how to put webpages together. There can be a steep learning curve with this approach if you're not at all familiar with HTML or how websites are built in general.
Another option is to hire a web developer. However, if you're on a small budget, then this is an expensive option as all the knowledge remains with your developer and you'll need to rehire them to make changes to your website.
A third option is Site Build It!. I'd heard great things about this and was finally recommended to use it by a friend who'd started building his own site through it. I was also curious as to how different and easier it would be to build a site using Site Build It!'s point and click interface. While, for me, it was a bit of an adjustment not being elbow-deep in HTML code, the tools provided are emimently simple and anyone (and I do mean anyone) who can click a mouse can build a website, and if you follow the Site Build It! philosophy, it'll make some money too!
Site Build It! - THE Place To Go For Website Newbies!
Site Build It! provide a 10-step program that guides you through setting up a profitable website, one that's based on content rather than being all bells and whistles, so that it's useful to those who come visiting. It's what I used to build my Just Pet Cats and Great Landscape Photography websites. As traffic increases, you can then start signing up with affiliate programs and making sales of items that relate to the subject of your website (they tell you how to go about all this). It's a point-and-click solution to building websites and handles all the intricacies of email forms and responders and newsletter signups and mailings. To find out more about Site Build It!, and how you can turn a passion, interest or hobby into a profitable website, click the links below. Each provides a different view of their approach:
- "Why build JUST a Web site...when you COULD build a Web BUSINESS?" - the only all-in-one site-building, site-hosting, and site-marketing product that makes it easy for you to build a professional, popular, and profitable business.
- The Very ESSENCE, the CORE of What Site Build It! MEANS
- Passion -- For SOHOs, startups, and newbies - People are searching for information that you know...so build an online business and give them the answers.
- Questions? Go ahead...ask Site Build It! a question - these folks love answering questions so don't be afraid to send in a query if you've a question on any building a website with their system
- Listen to the Site Build It! founder's radio interview - Ken is enthusiastic about helping people turn their hobbies and interests into money-making websites. Worth listening to.
- Proof that Site Build It! works - you want proof that the system works? Take a look here. Their business is purely through word-of-mouth.
- Case Studies - take a look at the websites that Site Build It! customers have created
- Make Your Content PRESell eBook - learn a new approach to website building
Want even more information about Site Build It!? Then check out The Complete Site Build It! Reference Center. There are even some freebies and you can check out some aspects of their system.
Even if Site Build It! is not for you, why not refer a friend and earn $75 annually if they sign up Site Build It!
If you're thinking that I'm trying to "sell" Site Build It! then you're right. It's not just a website building system. It's a complete package that includes web-hosting, creating autoresponders, handling newsletter subscriptions and mailings; it regularly submits your website and newsletters to all the major search engines (and others as well) which improves your rankings in the search engines (better rankings means more visitors) - this is usually a service that people pay for; it provides a 10-step course on how to create a profitable website that's designed for people who haven't an idea about how to go about building a website; it lets you research ideas for website ideas so you can find out if your idea will be a profitable one before you go off and spend time and energy building it...the list goes on. I'm enthusiastic about Site Build It! because it is a one-stop solution and I've used it and I know it works! You really can't find any simpler or better solution to building a website anywhere!
Pick a Domain Name
You need to pick a domain name for your website - something that's applicable to your topic. A domain name is simply the web address of your website. For example, if you're a grandmother and you like baking cookies, you could choose a name like:
www.grandmas-cookies.com
You should put a fair amount of thought into this name as it's going to be the permanent address of your website. Think of alternatives too as with there being so many people on the internet these days, your first choice might already be taken.
Website Hosting
The other aspect of getting a website online is in having some company host the site. What this means is that you upload all the files for your website to a remote computer (called a server) that's attached to the internet where it goes "live".
There are hundreds (and probably thousands) of companies that offer hosting services. Many are free but they usually insert ads and banners onto your pages which can give them an amateurish look or create several popup ads that just annoy your visitors. It's best to stay clear of them.
That does mean, however, is that you you will need to pay to have your website hosted. Prices usually start around $6.95 per month for basic packages although you can save money in some cases by paying for a year or more in advance (GoDaddy offer started packages for as little as $3.95 per month). Most include a domain name as part of the package. Three hosting companies I can recommend (because I use them) are (the websites hosted on them are also listed):
Maintaining Your Website
Websites are not static things. You will need to update them, either because you're adding new information or content, changing the design or layout, or adding links to products you're selling or endorsing. So website maintenance is an ongoing process that you should be aware of. If you've hired someone to create your website, retainer/maintenance fees may be something you need to factor into your budget. If you're doing it all yourself, then you will need to devote some time to your website's upkeep.
But any website should, at the very least, cover its own running costs. To that end, you should be looking at monetizing your website with Google Adsense.
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