How to build a Web site
Since you're interested in starting your own site -- or you've already taken the jump -- it's clear you have at least a baseline understanding of computers and software. This baseline is all you'll need to begin interacting with the key Web tools. If you can operate a browser and bounce around on the Web, you're well on your way to understanding how Web pages and sites are assembled. If you're technically savvy in a non-Web area, such as print layout or video editing, you have more than enough experience to transition into Web work.
Building sites requires a fair degree of multitasking, but it's likely you already do a lot of this at your job. Think about the skills you rely upon every day: interviewing, compiling, researching, writing, editing, producing, designing. Is it unusual for more than one of those skills to be called upon every week? Probably not. It won't be unusual for many of these skills to come into play as you build your site.
Using the Build section
New Web publishers will be best served if they follow this section through from the beginning (Basic Tools) to the end (Design). Veteran publishers probably know most of the information covered in the Basic Tools section, but Advanced Tools, Usability and Design tap into more in-depth topics that are pertinent to all Web publishers, regardless of experience.
The pages break down like this:
- Basic Tools: An introduction to HTML and an overview of the essential software programs every Web publisher needs.
- Advanced Tools: A look at content management systems, server-side includes and style sheets. Despite the "advanced" tag, beginners will find useful information in this area.
- Usability: A primer on user-centric Web design with links and recommendations for further inquiry.
- Design: Tips on designing and coding your pages.
