by David Nguyen

 
There are 3 main components to each web site:

1. The domain name
2. The web host (aka the "host")
3. The pages themselves (including content, HTML, graphics, and links)

The domain name is the name of your web site (for example yourdomainname.com or yourdomainname.net). It's what people use to visit you with their browsers. While plenty of sites offer free web hosting, it's not really free. They have you generate revenue. And since you don't pay them they have to post their advertisements on your web site to cover expenses. Plus your web address will not be up to you.

That's a much bigger cost than paying $10 to $20 a month for a proper web hosting account. How much easier is it to remember www.yourdomain.com than, say, www.geocities.com/directory/subdirectory/yourname? Get your own domain name, it's a must have if you're serious.

I use Verio strictly for domain registration because they have good service, reasonable prices, and it's convenient to manage my domains with their account interface.

You'll also need a web host. A web host is simply a company that operates computers connected to the Internet. Those computers contain web sites, and the host rents storage space and bandwidth (transfer capacity) to the individual web site owners. For hosting I've used several different ones. CNet's Web Performance List (see below) is a good place to start finding a host.

Then there are the individual HTML pages that make up your web site. This is where your text, graphics and links are stored. HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language and it's not complicated.

In fact, you don't even have to learn it to create web sites. There are programs that let you create complete sites without having to know HTML at all. I've heard good things about Site Build It which is geared toward people who aren't familiar with HTML. Here's an excellent case study about it.

However, if you want to do it yourself all you need is a text editor such as Windows Notepad. HTMLGoodies is a great tutorial.

Finally, you'll need an FTP program to transfer the web pages you create from your computer to your web host. FTP is a fancy way of saying you're copying files from your computer to your web host's computer. I recommend using WS-FTP Lite, which you can download free at Download.com.

Domain names: Verio (can get a live person on the phone)
Find a web host: CNet's Web Performance List or Host Index
Learn HTML: HTMLGoodies
FTP Program: WS-FTP Lite (Find it at Download.com)

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