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Starting Up a Website
by Ron Kurtus (26 April 2014)
In order to start up a website, you need to have a contract with a web host provider, have at least one web page designed, and have a way to transfer your files to the host server.
Questions you may have include:
- How do you get a web hosting service?
- How do you design web pages?
- How do you transfer files to your host?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Getting a web hosting service
A web hosting service is a company that will provide space for your web pages on their servers and provide access for those pages to the Internet. Most also offer email services and database access.
Some companies offer the hosting service at no charge, except that they include advertising. Since many web hosts offer their services for low fees and have much greater capabilities, they might be a better choice than the free hosting service.
If your website is large, has much traffic or requires special software, the hosting price can increase dramatically.
Note: The School for Champions website requires ColdFusion software capabilities for accessing a database and other functions, thus resulting in a higher fee than a simple website.
I feel it is often best to use a local web hosting service that can quickly respond to your needs. Do a search for web hosting service + (your city or state) to get a listing.
Designing web pages
Before you design your web pages, you need to Define Purpose of the Website and what you a hope to achieve. You should also plan on a logical structure of your site, including folders and navigation from one page to another.
Web pages are typically coded in the HTML markup language and are saved as name.htm or name.html files. You can design the pages directly in HTML or in some program dedicated for web design, such as Adobe Dreamweaver. You can even use Microsoft Word and Save as.. name.htm.
Some web hosting services provide template web pages as a starting point.
Transferring to host
Once your website is designed, you can transfer your files to the host computer. You want to keep the files in a logical order, similar to what is on your computer.
You transfer files with a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) application. It is built in with Dreamweaver. There are also many free applications available for downloading and use on your computer.
Summary
To start up a website, you need to get a web host provider, design your web pages, and use FTP software to transfer your files to the host server.
Design the best
Resources and references
Websites
FirstSiteGuide - How to start and run a website
Books
Top-rated books on Website Design
Questions and comments
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
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Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/web/
starting_up_a_website.htm
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
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Starting Up a Website