So you want a Website building, or Construction help?
If you were to approach me with the idea for a website;
Already having bought the domain name for example...
& then didn't know what to do next...
Sit down with some coffee or whatever and read on...
Now, imagine if you will...
The Domain name you have, or intend to use.
It is an address, a location.
Behind that it is a set of numbers,
Digits that will lead other computers to where the Address's information is kept or lives.
So when you type in that Address/URL/Digit's you arrive at the URL starter page.
It's Default .index file. It can be .html or .php or any other range of extensions.
It will more than likely have at least one link on it to move though the website or contact the website owner.
So imagine a blank website sized page, when viewed in a browser of course.
The rough size you should be thinking of is 1028x768, or maybe 800x600.
That is your Website, it is a blank canvas...
Let's fill it and Create a Website you can call your own.
=]
How much Information do you have in total to spread over how over many pages?
How many areas or sections will you need?
(Content - More about this later - It comes in 2 forms though, Static and Non static.)
In short, let's talk about global navigation first.
From hitting the sites homepage for the very first time;
To the last page at the end of the publicly available to view web pages.
We need to determine the best way to get people from A to B.
And then back from Where ever to A all over again without getting them lost.
If you build it they will come Mini Article.
If they can't find it, they can't get there.
If they can't View it when they get there, you lose.
If the Code it is Written in is bad, again, you lose...
Depending on how many WebPages or sections your web will eventually have;
Will be a factor shaping the navigation options you can choose from or use.
While we are just shaping the ideas for the Website Project,
just use or imagine text links till we get further down the road with the Design
and Functionality of the Website.
We can replace that concept/idea/option later is you want to Use Image Driven Navigation.
Now, what we need to do is place that rough section or space that the:
Global - Constant Site Navigation/Menu inside a small single table or box in your head on a some paper.
The box equals the size of a Website Page as you see it on your Browser,
So remember the different setting people can have!
What we are left with area wise, is the area or places we can put web content.
We can present the web content in many various ways.
We must always pay in mind how it will affect the navigation system we want to use.
So if we have a vast Navigation system that is always present;
That can account for up to a 3rd of the web space we have to place content.
Consistency is the more preferred method with navigation.
Main Global Linkage in the same general area and/or easily available is the best choice.
More than 1 form of web/page navigation system can be used together to provide very fast browsing.
Before a new Website user is going to go through your site, they always have to be able to see what is on offer.
They do not know what you got till they turn up.
When they do turn up, show them.
Not showing them everything is the key here though.
Or they won't be able to see any content from all the links to content, get me?
Make Viewing as much as the Website as possible Intuitive;
But not overwhelming or Pointless with links to everything everywhere in all areas;
It should be as Flexible as it is Poweful.
If you can use Sub Menu Navigation, then do so,
Trying to again keep Continuity with Global Settings is a good idea though.
Now we have taken away the main area for navigation we still have some other areas we need to think about how they will react when the page changes as they move about the Website.
Let's Discuss:
[Domain Name] - [Homepage] - [Hosting] - :Back to top of the page.:
We can use the Home Page in a variety of ways.
Just two ways for example, but 2 ways that are very different so are worth talking about for these reasons...
First though, Get The Home Page Up Fast!
With The Front Door, or Shop Front Entrance or Splash Intro way;
Your visitors will have to load up more pages or visit other pages for the content, in general that is.
As a Portal Page;
They can see straight away where the main areas are and get the layout of the site straight away.
As always, depending on content and how the Crafting and Designing of the site,
Everything can be changed ...
The Home Page should be one of the first pages ready to publish, it is after all the Front Door regardless to how you use it in Style sense.
Most of the Traffic you get, will go to the First page in your Web Site.
So by Default this makes index.html the Page people get when they type in your Domain name.
So we I shall refer to that file name/place name, as The Home Page.
[Domain Name] - [Homepage] - [Hosting] - :Back to top of the page.:
You need a Domain name, linked with a Static IP address or Web Name Server Number to Host a Website.
More about Hosting Later.
Domain Names cost* £10 for 2 Years for a .co.uk or £20 for 2 Years for a .com
You need a Domain Name for other reasons also, it is your Brand Name, or Label.
It is your Identity, it is what you are or Are About.
It is how people remember how to get to you,
Or how they find you...
Pick one with care...
- [Domain Name] - [Homepage] - [Hosting] - :Back to top of the page.:
Hosting can be picked up either very cheaply to start with, to very expensive for bigger or more elaborate Sites.
More About:
SEO;
Surfers use Different Browsers to Surf the Web with.
Those Browsers can make Web Pages or Layouts Look Different.
This can change the look of a Site dramatically!
This is the Images and Words you have that you want to use in the Web Site.
Their are 2 types of Content in general.
Static Content is Content that will Stay or Reside within the Website full time.
The Main Navigation or Style/Theme of the site;
may be the Foundations/Content for the Static Sections or Design/make up of your Web Site.
Certain Areas Require you to have at least some Static Content or Areas.
F.A.Q or Site Maps are examples of this.
Is content that you may or may not wish to use all the time in a Web Site,
Though it can be made so it is easily placed back into a Web Site for all to View.
SEO;
Getting good Ranks or even into Search Engines can Make or Break a Web Site.
Getting in is good, getting Ranked is Great, if you want Traffic...
Mini Article about this. - Important Info for first time clients - If you build it they will come.
Traffic can be what you seek so people can see your efforts and work,
Or what keeps the Web Site online or the Business the Web site Supports Profitable.
The Traffic May just be what the Web Site is Created for...
Without it, the Site will be just an Archive...
More about Navigation Really, but in a Style Perspective or User Experience and Control.
Also any Digital Media or Interactivity Sections or Systems you may want to Add To The Web Site.
This can be something like if you wanted to blend a Forum into or onto,
Or even with your website Design or Layout.
Everything from Chat rooms to Private Members Only Areas are possible to Add On To The Web Site.
Long and Short = Valid HTML is Good HTML, best to pay or work extra to have it.
See the W3C on this matter for more Information or Requirements.
Getting a Home Page up Fast!
Yup, getting at least one Page that can catch or start the ball rolling on Starting a New Project or Web is Critical.
Just one page can Be the Start or All that is Needed.
It also gives you somewhere you can start directing Traffic too, or Advertise through normal Media.
Even a Simple "Coming Soon" Type Web Page, Created by a moderately skilled Webmaster;
Can and Will get you into Some Search Engines:
Will be enough to start gaining you some Internet Presence:
Be a Visible Sign that you Have Work to Do...
It's also something a Webmaster can work behind or on.
Giving them something on the Net to Link to or Use.
The Webmaster can Work behind the Public Viewable Scenes;
On New Areas or Sections for Your eyes only,
Or to show you prototypes of Pages under Construction.
So with as little as a Domain Name Purchased, a Webmaster can get you Hosted to your requirements;
Using his Know How and Contacts probably Cheaper than you would yourself.
The Hosting Price aside, from there on as long as the Webmaster has somewhere online he can start work:
The Web Site Construction, Design or Package fee can be discussed...
Myself, someone shouldn't even bother asking me to build them a Site unless:
1 X Domain name has been Purchased/Funds for Domain Name ready to go via Paypal
And at least enough Hosting Purchased that is useable to start a Project **
Or;
Paypal Funds ready to cover Initial funds for 12 Months Hosting.
What you want after that is all down to what you want or need and can of course afford.
** - Moving Web Site Project Once the Build has begun.
Should the Site out grow the Original Hosting you Purchased for the Domain Name not be enough;
Or you just Out Grow the Space with Content...
Moving a Website once it's Building has begun is no easy task,
It can be done, but it is not one that I would relish.
So better to have upgradeable Hosting Options or Flexibility from the Out Set!
Or always available to you with the Hosts you use.
It can be a Financial and Time expensive issue.
A Webmaster will tell you if you have not got enough room from the initial start of Design.
I can get you Hosted with a Reliable Host, With a Domain Name so you can Start Operating a Web Site for 12 Months...
For as little as £50 ***
Slightly more if you want an Internet Forum setting up also etc...
*** - Domain name X 1 for 2 Years though.
Hosting = 1 Gig Transfer Monthly/About 10-15MB of Web space For a Starter Site.
The Bigger the Site in MB, the Less Hosting Works out.
Also, buying enough Hosting for 2 Years works Out Cheaper!
You Buy the Domain Name for 2 Years anyway, so why not the Hosting?
Depending on Project and needs depends on how cheap I can get you online and hosted for.
Speak to me about this matter for a rough quote.
All Quotes will be official once I broker the details through my Chosen Host.
If I am to Webmaster for you, then My Chosen Hosts is the One I will Prefer to Deal with.
All my Projects will be based on my knowledge with that Host.
Also the Hardware/Software they use.
Re-Tooling/Training for a New Hardware/Software set up Server-side is not one I would entertain.
Dividing up the Site / Server / Forum / Interactive Multi-Media
First of all.
The Website = Pages Hosted on a Web Server For the Use of An Internet Web Site.
Forum = To be Hosted within a Web Site, or Used As a Stand Alone Web Site.
Interactive Media = Anything that ranges from Forums to Chat rooms or require advanced:
Server/Database Requirements.
Can be Split up, Multiple Domain Names and Forum's can be Linked together.
Or can even be Combined within certain Hosting choices.
True Unity comes from having everything within the same server though. ;)
A Domain Name Hosting more than just a few web pages, as in a Forum as well.
Is not Considered just a Web site.
It requires other Hardware/Software to be used.
So not all Systems can work together.
This can also be an issue as support means for each system or set up are unique.
Costs for this can Sky rocket.
Chat rooms or Shopping carts etc also again;
Depending on User choice or Desire can also vary the cost dramatically.
Forums (phpBB) can easily be added, but set up and running or training costs vary.
Both to the Webmaster or to the Admin Elected to Run the Community.
Also, this Area of a web site can have Increasing Monthly Costs;
Both Web Space wise or variable Bandwidth requirements, weekly or Monthly.
Running or Setting up of other Media or Requirements is by negotiation only.
Not All Webmasters can do All Tasks or have All the Skills...
No two are alike.
There is no Generic Blueprint, in Design or what you Aspire or Dream to Make.
When I say web Site, I mean simple Web Site Pages linked together through Text or Images;
To form a Web Site that may or may not have a Theme or Style.
It may or may not have a purpose or Business other than just being.
It may not be practical or predictable,
It can be as changing as the sunlight cast on a tree in all seasons.
It may once finished be as set as stone or Face of a Diamond once cut and Polished.
So long as it is how the person who designed it is happy with the final version or product.
The Page works, or does what it is supposed to.
It's reason for being should it have on is achieved with it's use or creation...
The person if any, who paid for it's being brought to life,
Are also satisfied with what they purchased;
Have no qualms, desires or tweaks want doing,
Are happy to call the job finished...
Job well done.
A Webmasters day is done...
Not All Webmasters can do All Tasks or have All the Skills...
No two are alike.
There is no Generic Blueprint, in Design or what you Aspire or Dream to Make.
End of: - So you want a Website building, or Construction help