New Author's Guide to Page and Site Building

last updated: June 5, 2004.

You've decided to create your own web page on a site, maybe a Gallery page to show off your work or you're trying out writing a tutorial. You just realized that you have many more questions about this process. Rather than rewrite what others have so clearly explained, I am providing links to help answer your basic questions on choosing a host, designing a site, making the pages, using HTML, finding scripts, and moving a site between hosts. The sites mentioned no longer open in a new window for accessibility reasons.

How do I choose a host?

Uh, what do you look for from a web host? That seems to be a common question that the site wizard has answered far too well for us to ignore. He covers basic things to consider from free and paid hosts. His other article offers further thoughts on why you might want to choose a free host that posts advertisements on your site.

Your needs will definitely vary from mine, and mine have changed greatly in the years I've had a site/domain. Space became a problem and I am becoming more interested in playing with my site settings.

As of 12-08-2010, I have used 6 hosts and created my own domain.

My own "shopping list" for a host includes:

My past and present Hosts:

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How should I design my site?

You'll find many theories on good site and page design, but you should worry about what your site visitors will see or not see on your site. The site wizard addresses some issues for you to consider before you bolt off into HTML and script land. Handy Hints provides even more design tips. Consider what they are all saying. Please!

For any page at a minimum, you need Terms of Use, Copyright Statement, email address. Now you can link to the Terms of Use, but the email should be there with the copyright statement. Now many of you don't see any need for Terms and copyright, until you see your work being sold somewhere online. Then, you will probably be quite upset. Save some time later and just do the work now.

Anything you add to your page/site YOU are responsible for! If you add any item you did not create pixel by pixel or from a photo from your own camera, or music you wrote and performed, you are going to have copyright problems. Do not offer any plugin, font, image, file, item that you do not have the original copyright holder's written permission to offer! Most font and filter authors have very strict guidelines to follow. The same is true for the linkware images and plugin presets. Yes, your host can remove the pages and/or your site if you violate any copyright laws. That is usually mentioned in those terms you agreed to, if not, ask before you sign on.

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What do I use to make the pages?

You use an HTML editor to write your pages. Page Tutor's Free HTML Editor List is a great starting point for good value in an editor. At least one of those editors listed has as many features as the higher end commercial editors! TUCOWS' list of available HTML Editors provides a mixed list of free and shareware HTML editors for those braver authors.

Note: Many editors include FTP built-in. That doesn't mean you must use that built-in feature. Adventurous people will find TUCOWS' FTP software downloads filled with free and commercial versions of FTP software.

What do I use? Currently, I use the following software to fit my needs:

  1. HTML editor:
  2. FTP:
  3. ZIP:
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HTML? How?

Have the editor, have the idea, but no clue about how to code a web page? You can find free help online to create web pages! For those who need a gentle introduction to their first "from scratch" page, try DevX Project Cool Web Development Basics or PageTutor. Both sites will walk you through the basics.

If you just need reminders on what that particular tag does, you can check the Bare Bones Guide, W3Schools' Quick Guide to HTML 4.01, or W3 Standards for HTML 4.01 .

If you want to add your zipped supplies folder to your page, look up the href code. It links to files as well as pages. Oh, for those of us who spent too much time staring at a computer screen, please add a layer and use size 48 bold arial font with only a black fill to type in each tool setting we should know. Our eyes appreciate it. Check my FAQ under .SEL files to learn how to create them. Check here for CSS links, and here for SSI links. If you are curious about Meta tags, visit my Meta tags Resources Page. If you are interested in how the other Prestigious Dames do their pages, please check my FAQ for links to tutorials.

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How do I make sure my new page doesn't have spelling or coding errors?

No matter how many times you stare at the code, you will miss a broken link, misspelled word, or strange coding. Why fix them? Broken links can keep users from following your tut. Misspelled words confuse the page translators and those search engines. Bad code keeps folks from even seeing your site.

Convinced? What you need is a validator.

Want something you can use on your computer that shows the webpages before or after upload? Mozilla Suite and the stable alpha release of Mozilla have an extension that offers many handy features in a browser window. You'll want to eyeball the Web Developer extension features list and screenshots.

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Where do I find a script to _______on my page?

Depending on what you want done, scripts can help. Tasks such as counters, menus, forms, searches and guest books can all be done with scripts. Your site host can tell you what script access you have included in your account and how to store and refer to them. You'll also find plenty of Java script links on these sites.Matt's Script Archive has just scripts he wrote, but he does provide some first timer tips. Dynamic Drive.com is more for the intermediate user, but does have java scripts for those who can't use CGI. Web Reference should be the mother lode for scripts and other goodies.

Keep in mind though that not everyone likes or enables scripting in their browser. The scripted widget may be perfect in your browser, but not work at all in another one. Also, try to avoid browser specific features as can be found in Internet Explorer. As a personal note, I don't return to pages which only work properly in one browser.

The most commonly used browsers are

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How do I change web hosts?

Extreme weather, bankruptcy, change of hosting policy or a massive equipment failure at your web host can all cause you to lose your site. You can also outgrow your host site and need to move to a larger area, or notice service is lacking. Comparison shop before you do anything else. Any good host will be happy to answer any and all of your questions in a timely manner. If they can't or don't, move on down your list. The site wizard shares his experiences when he moved his site. He also reminds us all to always have current backups of our entire site.

Please note that this is an updated version of a previous tutorial I wrote and kept elsewhere offsite. As the original author, I do retain all copyrights.

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Valid CSS!   Valid HTML 4.01!