| This article attempts to answer the question "How Do I | | | | own web sites, then you should consider Wordpress |
| Build A Website", and is based on my own experience. | | | | Blogs. Whilst it is possible to host Wordpress blogs at |
| It is not definitive though, as there will be many more | | | | wordpress.com, sites hosted there do not have |
| ways to build a website than those discussed here. As | | | | anywhere near the same clout as Blogger Blogs |
| at the time of writing, however, the methods | | | | hosted at Blogger. The good thing about Wordpress |
| mentioned below are standard, and recommended. | | | | Blogs is that they are highly customisable, using a |
| I have been building websites for several years. My | | | | feature called 'plugins'. This is actually a simple way of |
| sites are usually commercial in nature, but some have | | | | adding other peoples code to your blogs to increase |
| been built just for the fun of it. If you're intent is to build | | | | the functionality of your blog. You can do many things |
| a commercial site, then you will be far more restricted | | | | with Wordpress blogs that you cannot do with Blogger |
| in the methods that you use, because in order to | | | | blogs, and if style and identity is important to you, then |
| succeed, you will have to demonstrate seriousness to | | | | Wordpress Blogs are a serious option. The downside |
| the search engines. They do not seem to like some of | | | | is that you will need to host your own sites, which |
| the free mediums available because of this. | | | | means that you will have to buy a domain, and |
| There are a number of ways of creating small | | | | arrange hosting. Installing Wordpress is easy, because |
| websites with free web building tools. If you just want | | | | most hosts supply a program called Fantastico with |
| to put a site up with some notes about your hobbies | | | | the cpanel that comes with your site. (The cpanel is a |
| or your families, and the content is primarily aimed at | | | | control panel, but they are easy to use). So with only a |
| friends and family, then these free types of resources | | | | modicum of technical skill, you can create a top class |
| will be perfectly adequate. However, the tools and | | | | web site, with the same blogging benefits as outlined |
| facilities available to you, such as web space for | | | | previously for Blogger blogs, namely ease of daily use |
| example, or if you want to do more than just write a | | | | and maintenance. |
| few pages, will not give you any degree of control | | | | Create Your Own Sites |
| over your site, so I will discount these methods from | | | | Finally we come to the third option, where you have to |
| this discussion. | | | | create your own sites by hand. Well, not entirely by |
| I will concentrate on three areas. All the methods | | | | hand, because there are plenty of tools available that |
| outlined below will be suitable for commercial purposes | | | | will help you create a site. However, it is time |
| (in varying degrees), so if it is your intent to make | | | | consuming, because not only will you have to create |
| some cash with your site (or not), then you can | | | | the content for your site, but you will also have create |
| explore any of these options. | | | | the html for the pages as well. I use a tool called |
| Blogger | | | | Dreamweaver, which is very good and takes much of |
| The first option is Blogger; a blogging platform owned | | | | the pain out of the creation of web sites using this |
| by Google. This is the best choice if you have limited | | | | method. However, you will need to understand html, |
| technical skills, and have no interest in learning any. | | | | because when things go wrong (as things often do), |
| Whilst it is possible to host blogger blogs on your own | | | | you will need some knowledge in order to put them |
| web sites, it is not necessary to do so. It is possible to | | | | right. Whilst I use and like Dreamweaver, it is not the |
| do everything by signing up for a free blogger account | | | | cheapest option available. You will find many other |
| and answering some questions. You choose a | | | | software solutions by searching the web. So the |
| template from those offered at Blogger, and then voila, | | | | upside of this method is almost complete control over |
| you have a web site. The steps of creating a Blogger | | | | your web building efforts. The downside is the time |
| blog are beyond this article, but if you really don't want | | | | element, and the increased technical skills that are |
| to get your hands dirty, then this is the best option. | | | | required. |
| Creating content is as simple as creating posts for | | | | The last two options also require you to be able to use |
| your blogs. Log in, write your post and save. That's it. | | | | ftp (file transfer protocol) which is essentially a means |
| And the great thing about blogs is that they are | | | | of transferring files between your pc and your web |
| interactive. You can choose to allow people to | | | | site. It is not hard once you know what to do, and |
| comment on your content, and you can choose to | | | | there are many tools available to you but it is an |
| respond. You will need to be aware that some people | | | | additional skill that will be required. |
| may try and spam your blog. But hey, it happens, and | | | | And there we have it. How to build your own web site. |
| Blogger gives you access to some tools to manage | | | | It is not that hard to do, and can be a lot of fun. All you |
| this too. | | | | need to do is to choose a method that suits your skills |
| Wordpress | | | | and temperament. |
| If you feel a little bit braver, and have access to your | | | | |