How To Build A Web Site, Easily

By WorkZ Staff

Maybe you've got a bright idea for a Web business, or your boss designated you moonlighting developer for the company's new Web site. Either way, you've got to build a site pronto.

Here's an overview of basic site-building options, whether you plan to build the site yourself or outsource the whole shebang.

First, you must have access to the Internet. If you don't already have an account with an Internet service provider (ISP), your first order of business is to get connected. ISPs generally provide a least one e-mail address and often a small allotment of disk space on their servers for your Web site.

Besides nationwide services such as AOL, Earthlink, AT&T WorldNet and America Online, a plethora of reliable and affordable ISPs is available in your area. Sign up for the fastest connection you can afford.

If you already have an account with an ISP that includes server space, here's what you need:

Server space. Obtain at least 10 megabytes of disk space on your ISP's server. If you plan to grow, you'll need not only more space but also more substantial storefront services. Some ISPs offer larger disk space allotments, site and store building services, and e-commerce functions. If yours doesn't, you'll need a Web host, a hosting service catering specifically to Internet business needs. Selecting a Web host can be tricky if you don't understand the terminology. Read carefully and ask questions to choose a service package that fits your business goals.

Domain name. A Web address representing your company name or brand is easier to remember than a long, irrelevant URL. Besides, if you move your site to another location, the domain name can travel with you. Prices have dropped in the past couple of years as the number of domain name registrars exploded. As a result, you can now buy a domain name for as little as $15 (U.S.) per year.

HTML and graphics editing skills. While you can eke out Web pages with little or no knowledge of these skills, it's in your best interest to learn the rudimentary features of coding HTML and optimizing graphics.

Forget expensive classes and pricey books. Get online and use your favorite search engines to find a couple of good HTML tutorials and basic guides to image optimization. Then dive in. Once you learn the basics and build a few dummy pages to test your skills, any qualms you've felt will vanish.

Software. The simplest way to narrow your software choices is to determine the amount of HTML coding you want to do. If you want maximum control over the HTML structure, use a code-based editor such as Allaire's Homesite ($99, PC) or Bare Bones' BBEdit ($119, Mac). Otherwise a WYSIWYG editor is probably best for you, among which Macromedia Dreamweaver ($299, PC and MAC), Microsoft FrontPage ($149, PC) and Adobe GoLive ($299, PC and Mac) are popular.

If you include graphics on your site in any form, you need an image editor such as Paint Shop Pro. Working with your own photographs requires a scanner, a digital camera or a digitizing service to import them to your image editor.

Or download images for a fee or free of charge from various stock photography Web sites. Though more costly, you could also hire a professional to photograph your products and prepare the images for the Web.

File transfer protocol (FTP) is the most common method of transferring Web pages to the server where they'll reside. Shareware FTP clients are a dime a dozen on the Web. The most widely used are WS_FTP and CuteFTP for PC and Fetch for Mac. Some Web authoring programs have FTP functions built in.

Processing online transactions requires:

Shopping carts. Most Web hosts offer shopping cart technology as an extra feature to regular hosting plans. Depending on the technology they use, it can be as easy as filling in the options on a Web-based form to create a catalog of products. Or it can involve tinkering with CGI scripts and uploading them to your site, which, if you aren't familiar with Unix file terms, can be a nightmare.

If you choose your Web host's shopping cart option, make sure it uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption to protect your customers' information.

Accepting payments. You'll need a merchant account to accept payments online. Web hosts can connect you with a bank or payment-processing firm with which you can apply. Offer your customers payment by check or credit card.

Provide a form for customers to print and send in with a check. On the form, explain the delay in processing a check order and shipment. Some merchant accounts offer services to process check orders via phone, fax or e-mail.

Credit card payments can be made by phone, by e-mail or can be processed via the Internet. Real-time credit card payments via the Internet require a merchant account provider that can process orders using secure encryption technology.

Hire a designer. You can bypass building the site yourself by hiring someone. This includes hiring a company, an individual or possibly your Web host to write the HTML code or to manage all aspects of your e-commerce endeavor.

This costs more and it won't necessarily get the site up more quickly, but you won't be burdened with learning Web design, Web hosting, domain name and e-commerce issues.

Store in a can. The quickest way to go from starting point to full-blown e-commerce site is to join a store-hosting site like Yahoo! Store, Bigstep.com or FreeMerchant.com.

These services provide, in one stop and at relatively low cost, all components of running an online store, such as shopping carts, merchant accounts, e-mail newsletters and auctions.

All you need is a connection to the Internet from which to manage the store. After opening an account, follow the instructions on how to upload images and company and product information.

Whatever method you choose to use to build your site, be sure to read the fine print of any user and customer agreements. And remember to keep your site as simple and easy to navigate as possible. Your customers will appreciate this.