I am of the firm belief that believers should take great advantage of the Internet! Not only accessing the great resources, but adding their very own website to the thousands of others! If you have an Internet account, then you most likely have some free web space with it. As a Christian, BE A GOOD STEWARD and use it!
What is that you say? "But thinkman, I don't know HTML or what programs can help me!" My answer? YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE! The below links will get anyone started in creating their own website - WITHOUT knowing HTML! Of course, we should ALL learn it eventually. But in the meantime, your web presence doesn't have to wait! Oh, and it doesn't have to COST, either!
By the way, IF you do need some FREE web space for your site -- check out "John's World of Free Web Pages" for a comprehensive listing of sites that offer free web space.
STEP #1 - Use an EDITOR! If you're on AOL, they provide one. I'm not : ) so I use the Netscape editor that comes with Netscape Navigator Gold. It also comes with Netscape 4.5. Download the latest version to get started. After downloading your browser, I suggest that you study the HELP topics thoroughly. Bookmark Netscape's website. If you are using the Netscape Editor, I highly suggest purchasing one of the laminated fold-out "Quick Study Charts" like I have - I cannot even begin to tell you how much my life got easier after a friend showed up one night with one of these (and it's cheap!). Oh, and of course you need to visit your web providers homepage and find out the specifics of accessing your web space ; )
If you want to experiment with other editors, here are some downloads. However, I have not used these - so you're on your own! I would also highly recommend the Freeware Publishing site for some helpful freeware.
STEP #2 - While you're learning how to create your pages [warning: keep your files for your pages organized!], pick a "theme" for your site -- BE CREATIVE! I suggest that you "sketch" each page on paper first (sounds silly, but it worked for me!). Here are some websites that can give you some pointers:
STEP #3 - Ok -- are you ready? You have a choice here: you can have your opening page be a "buffer page" -- i.e., a "doorway" into your site; kind of a "welcome mat." See my opening page for an example. Or, you can just lead off with your index/menu page, like Kerry's site. Save your blank page in an appropriately named folder. For instance, under drive "C" create a new folder called "web pages" or "website." Then subdivide your site, putting each set of pages in the appropriate folder. For example - if one of the choices on your menu is "articles," then create a folder in "web pages" called "articles" and place each separate article into that folder. KEEP YOUR FOLDERS ORGANIZED. Oh, and don't forget to NAME your pages. Unnamed pages are an annoyance to web surfers!
STEP #4 - Choose a BACKGROUND for your opening page. Or don't! It's up to you. Your background can be a simple white, or another color (your editor will have color choices), or you can save a background from the web. You may also want to use some BARS and/or some BULLETS. Or perhaps some GRAPHICS - maybe even animated! You can find all of these "bells & whistles" up for grabs at the following sites:
There are of course hundreds of "free graphics" sites on the web. Do a search for "free graphics," "free bars," "free buttons," "animated graphics," etc. The above are fairly comprehensive and should serve to get you started.
STEP #5 - You'll need a LOGO at the top of each page -- of course, your opening page should have the name of your site. You can create your own logos at the following sites for FREE:
STEP #6 - For any text you want to type, be creative & play around with the fonts available with your editor. [WARNING: Avoid the 'fixed width' font in Netscape Editor. It comes out a mess to view with certain older browsers that some may still be using!]
STEP #7 - Insert any LINKS that are needed. For instance, your index/menu page should contain a list of links to your other pages. Read any available instructions on this provided on your editor's webpage. Don't forget to link something with your e-mail address [use the following: mailto:(your e-mail address)]!
STEP #8 - Time for any "special" content. You can scan personal pictures/graphics onto your computer with a scanner. If you cannot afford a scanner right now, check your local yellowpages - someone in your town offers the service [try something like a "Kwik Kopy"]. You can type articles & such in your editor. However, you may have articles previously written that need to be converted to HTML. NO PROBLEM! Get Text2Web!
STEP #9 - Check over your pages very carefully -- spelling & grammatical errors are an annoyance! After doing so, it's UPLOAD time! To put your pages on the web, read your web provider's instructions very carefully. There are usually a couple of different ways you can do this [whatever you do, you must upload each graphic individually in addition to the page itself]. However, you will need an FTP client [hint: I use WS_FTP].
STEP #10 - After uploading your pages, go to your web address and check everything out very carefully. If you have broken links or skewed text, pull up the page in the editor and start troubleshooting! It will take some patience and much trial & error, but you'll get better at it as you go along [trust me]. When you have the problem fixed, simply upload it again.
NOW THAT YOU HAVE A WEBSITE -- promote it! Promote it personally in related newsgroups. Create a LINKS page where you promote the sites of other's and request that they return the favor. Submit it to search engines, submission sites, join a webring, etc. Here are some sites that offer services to help you do this:
THE FUTURE -- is limitless! As you play with your editor, you'll find out how to use other tools, like "anchoring." You may decide you want to add audio, video, design your own graphics, etc. If you see something that you think is cool on the web -- e-mail the webmaster! Most don't mind answering such questions. Godspeed!
