To build your homepage, here's the tips:  [ Part III of III ]

 

   10 Step to begin before designing website

  1. Register a server (web space)
    - Free servers: 
      Geocities   -  11MB (small banner ad)
      Tripod        -  11MB (optional)
      ArealCity   -  10MB (no banner ad)
      Angel fire   -  12MB (big banner ad)
    - Malaysia   -   e-My   
                      -   Maxis.Net [ 50megs ]
                      -   Time Planet


    - There are more free servers available
      that offers up to 50MB. But, for me,
       I don't need much space if I only use
       3 Megs of files. 

    - make sure you remember your 
      Login (User) name and your password.
    - Remember your registered URL web
      address.
    - print the complete registration form
      (from the website you registered or 
      from your email inbox) for your 
      future references. 
  2. Download HTML Editor (trial) or purchase
    it online or go to MidValley (this one is my 
    promotion, Vincent, my commission?
    just kiddinglah....!! LOL ).
    - Check out Gallant IT outlet, they offer
      nice fixed prices for original software
      here in Malaysia.

    Download Trial from these websites:
    - Macromedia
    - MS FrontPage 2000
    - Adobe
    - JASC software

    or try download free graphics at
    - Clipart Online
    - Animation Station
  3. Visit Hotwired/ Web Monkey to
    learn how to built web pages online.
    - try JavaScript Online, DarkMountain
    - or try search engines.
  4. Start your sketches by doing a page
    Hierarchies and page layouts
    - Index <--put your meta tags in here!
      (configuration, ex. monitor display,
       plugin, color and browser)
    - Introduction/ Welcome Page
      (I encourage to use FLASH or Live Motion !!)
    - Main page/ Mainframe (Menu)
    - About Author (yourself)
      (put your Resume here)
    - Picture album (if necessary) 
    - poetry (if necessary)
    - Music Downloads (MIDI, RealAudio)
      (if necessary)
    - Link Page 
    - Contact Page (e-mails, etc).
    - Feedback page 
    - Guest book (Sign/View)
    - Construction page (if necessary)

  5. Design or make your own graphic theme
    - Graphics for Header
    - Graphics for Button (Menu)
    - Buttons   for e-mail
    - Graphics for bullet or point
    - Graphics for horizon bar
    - Graphics for background images

  6. Create a new directory in your PC
    and put @ save all your web works
    in the same folder. Don't use A:\
    drive. Use C:\ or ZIP drive instead.
    - This one is to avoid broken links.
    - If necessary, create sub directory
      named: 
      /buttons
      /images
      /sound (if necessary)
      /download (if necessary) 
  7. Start building pages by pages.Put all your text, graphics, 
    and other materials together.Arrange your page wisely and
    nice, keep it simple, fast but interesting.Save all documents
    to .htm or .html or .DHTML, .shtml or .asp (if necessary)
  8. Preview finished work in any Internet browser. 
    Try to see if there is any errors or broken links.
    - For best result, try pre-publish by upload all your files to your 
      web space (server).
    - Try to view it online, if no problem appears, it means that your 
      web pages is considered done and can be publish.

  9. Now, ask any of your friends to visit your
    pages and let them give some comments.
    If they said your site is nice and cool, you
    can stop worrying and have a break for
    a while.
  10. But before that, make sure you register
    your site to any search engine in order for 
    audience or surfers to visit your website 
    or search whatever they can find in your
    website.
    - Make sure you update your site frequent.
    - keep practicing and always up-to-date.
    - email me so I can give free consultant

          Good Luck & enjoy building your first 
          website !! or is it the 5th website you 
          built ??!!

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