Here's a quick guide for anyone new to the world of website creation.
Thankfully it's never been easier to create your own professional looking and effective website.
How can I create a website?
Today it has never been easier to design and create website from scratch. There are many methods you can choose, from online blogging to web design software. The method you choose might depend upon your budget, and how much technical effort you want to put into your site.
Least technical effort
You might want to consider free online blogging tools, such as WordPress.com. You can very quickly create a simple site, and update it with minimal technical knowhow. All of challenging technical stuff will be done for you – like styling or web accessibility. However, you won’t have as much control over the pages as with other methods. But this is a great option if you need a simple site.
Medium Technical Effort
You might prefer web design software, such as Dreamweaver or Microsoft Expression Web. You’ll be able to easily create a webpage, have full control over the page layouts, features, text, image etc. You’ll also be responsible for the site management more technical elements.
Most Technical Effort
For those of you who like to get your hands dirty, consider learning how to write web code, using languages such as HTML and CSS. Nearly ever site nowadays use these languages. If you can crack coding, you will be able to create virtually anything you want. Coding is a useful skill in general, and can be used in conjunction with any of the other methods mentioned, as you can ‘go under the bonnet’ to make changes not possible any other way.
What is ‘Web Accessibility’
With so many different sites and kinds of visitors, it is important your site be clear, easy to read and navigate, look appealing, and work on many different browsers and monitors etc. The W3C have created accessibility guidelines to advise webmasters how best to create their sites to make it appealing to as many of your users as possible.
If you are responsible for your site, you are also responsible for its web accessibility.
