This post is written for those who are new to build a website. I will tell you how to build up your website step by step. If you want go deeper and find more detailed knowledge, please read my other relevant articles.

Step 1. Plan the type and structure of your website

First of all, you need to decide which kind of website you want. Do you need an online store to sell products and service, or do you need a content site to join advertisement / affiliate programs? What functions and extra features should be contained in your website? Do you need a forum? Such things should be considered and planned at the very beginning.

Step 2. Design and test your website locally before you upload it to the server

This perhaps is the most important and time-consuming step for you to build a website. We need to write website contents, design page layouts, decorate web pages with background colors and images.

You may do it by yourself or hire a web designer to do it for you. If you high a web designer, you just need to make your requirements clear to your consultant or designer and he will have everything done. If you want to do it yourself, you need to:

• Master basic knowledge of HTML and CSS;
• Have one of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) HTML editors installed on your computer and master the skills to use it. Dreamweaver is recommended.
• Have a image editing software e.g. Photoshop or installed on your computer and master the skills to use it. Now I am using Gimp under Linux OS, It is an Open Source Software with similar functions to Photoshop.
• If you want to use Server side programs and Database, you also need to set up the right development environment for design and local test. For example, you need to install Apache and PHP as well as MySQL on your computer.
• You may also need a CMS (Content Management System) or a Shopping Cart program for your website. This is easer for you to create a website quickly. What you only need to do is to modify the template for your site and add content.

Step 3. Choose and register a domain name for your website

A domain name is the Internet address for a website, such as “www.yahoo.com”. By registering your own domain name, people can access your website by type your domain name like “www.yoursite.com”. In fact, this step should be done before step 2 or at least at the same time, because you need to mention your domain name when your are design your website.

You need to register your domain name at a domain registrar with a fee no more than 10 US dollars a year. There are also webhosting packages providing domain names for free if you choose to host your site on their server.

Step 4. Host your website and publish it on Internet

For a web site to be made available on the Internet, it has to be hosted on a web server. A web host provides server space, web services and file maintenance for individuals or companies You can choose one of these hosting services with a very low price. After you upload your website right and configure it rightly, your website will be published on the Internet and accessible for every visitors.

It’s not so easy to build a website, you have to solve many problems during this progress. But if you follow the general steps listed above, I am sure you will avoid to make some mistakes.