Learn About Website Creation and Development Tools

Whether you run a business or just want to create your own online portfolio, having a strong online presence can be a strategic necessity. A well-designed website can leave a lasting positive impression on potential customers that improves your brand image and helps you to stand out from the crowd. But to create a good website, you need to start with a thorough understanding of the basics.

 

Website Design and Setup

Before you start building a website, you’ll need to think about how you want it to look, what purpose it will serve, and the tools you might use to create it. Plenty of people use popular website-building tools like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to create their sites, which can make it easier to set up your own website if you’ve never done it before by giving you templates to start with. You can also opt to build your site by hand from scratch for a more customized look and feel.

 

Web Hosting and Domains

Every website needs a place where its files can be stored and found. Web hosting is a service that gives you a place to store the data for your website. You’ll also need to register a domain name, which is the address of your website, where people using the Web can find your site. When people visit your domain, the Web host delivers the necessary files to their browser.

 

HTML and Programming

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the coding language upon which all websites are built. Even the most complex and interactive sites are built on a foundation of HTML, though much of what you see might be created with other types of code, like CSS or JavaScript. HTML is used to define the essential elements of a page, giving your browser instructions on what text and images to display and how they should look.

  • Getting to Know HTML: Embark on your coding journey by learning the basic building blocks of HTML.
  • HTML Basics: If you know absolutely nothing about HTML, this resource is a good place to start.
  • Creating Tables in HTML: Creating tables in HTML can be a little tricky, but this page gives a simple explanation.
  • Adding Graphics to a Website: Explore the code you’ll need to place images on a page properly.
  • HTML Tags: Find a quick reference on different types of HTML tags here.
  • What Is CSS? CSS is a different type of code that can be used to create stylesheets, which make it easier to design a website with a consistent look.
  • Introduction to JavaScript: The exercises on this page are meant to help you get familiar with some basic JavaScript concepts.

 

Web Graphics

HTML can be used to create and format text, but you’ll also want to use images to create an appealing website. A custom logo can help you to build a strong brand for yourself or your business, and photos and illustrations can help readers to learn more about you and your products or services. Good Web graphics can also add visual appeal, making your site more attractive and interesting to look at.

 

Website Usability and Accessibility

It’s important to remember that you’re not really creating a website for yourself: You’re creating it for your readers. That means that you need to make sure that the site is easy for your readers to navigate and interact with. The site should be well-structured so people can find what they want, and it should also have a responsive design that works on any platform or screen size. Additionally, following best practices for website accessibility will ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use your site successfully.