The immediate popularity of the internet as a social networking, education and business tool paved way for the rise of web pages that enable its users to strengthen their positions in this environment. In its simplest form, a website is a collective term for web pages, videos, images and other digital assets that are combined in a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), that consist of one domain name in an internet protocol based network. A website is usually hosted by a single web server that can be accessed through the internet or a private local area network. Nowadays, most businesses, educational facilities and even ordinary people make a website to oversee their activities over the web.
The importance of a website is always dependent on the reasons why a person wanted to have one. However, for the most part there are several benefits that can be drawn from it, whether it is for personal or professional use. For example, if you have your own business, a website can simply allow your target audience to find you easily over the internet, and can profoundly help you in advertising your products or services. Likewise, it is also a good means for you to inform, communicate, and provide support to other people.
Perhaps by now you have the desire to make a website (
http://www.buildyoursite.com/) for your business or personal portfolio but cannot move forward because you feel that it might be too hard to accomplish. Creating a website is not as hard as it actually looks. In fact, you can make it yourself, or if you're afraid to try you can always hire a web developer to finish the job for you. However, if you really wanted to make a site for the sole purpose of having something to store your personal portfolio, you can learn creating one with the help of online tutorials.
The first steps in creating a website is to plan what you wanted to incorporate into it, develop a domain name, select a hosting site and establish your target audience. Once you are through with the planning stage, you can now create your own website. Various options are available for developing a website; you can use a website building program if you don't have the eye for designing your own website; you can also learn differing programming languages like HTML, XHTML, CSS, JavaScript if you want to develop a site out of nothing at all; or you can go for free static site generators to facilitate the development. Most of these options can be purchased or sometimes comes free online.
In order for your website to get a better ranking within search engines, incorporate keywords that most of your target audience would type when they intend to use the services that your site offers; sprinkle these keywords in your site but do not over do it as it may hurt the quality of the contents of your website. Soon after, upload your web site on the web host of your choice. Once you have uploaded your website, do a usability testing; this will allow you to take note of the areas in your site that needs further improvement. You can also submit your site on search engines to further advertise your services, or you can participate on blogs and forums and place your URL in your signature to create more traffic.
With the abovementioned steps, you can now make a website for your business or your personal portfolio. These are just few of the basic steps to consider when it comes to developing a website; there are still other information needed to be learned in order to successfully run a website. Always take into attention that the website you are about to make have specific audiences; think about their needs and circumstances, and try to make their navigation easier. As such, it is important to strive for something that could be beneficial not only for you but for your visitors as well.