Creating a Website: 01 Planning

[Mimi58]

This is the first thread in a planned series about creating a website using a free template and an HTML editor. During the series, I'll be quoting from various websites, including my own (computerscs.com)

"In reality, there are probably as many ways to create a website as there are people who create websites. ... these are not the only methods that can be used - just methods that seemed easy and useful to me. If you plan to build your own website, it's best to explore different methods and choose the method that best fits your skills, your time schedule and your purpose." ~computerscs

When I was first learning CSS, I used free templates. Now, I create my own templates and mainly hand code. If you have a different preferred method, that's great. You might want to start a new thread to tell us what you do.

However, no matter what method you use, it is best begin by making a plan. It doesn't have to be a formal detailed plan or require lots of time to do. But you need to have a general idea of the information you want to include so you can decide things like how many pages and what kind of navigation you will have. So:

1. What do you want to do? Sell something? Share how-to's? Display your work? Teach something? Get volunteers for a favorite cause? Garner votes for an election? When you know what you want to do, you can start thinking about how you want to do it.

2. Rought draft of content

"with very few exceptions, ... the content of a website is the most important item." ~computerscs

Think about the information you want to present: welcome/introduction; descriptions of products or services; contact info; and whatever else you might want to include. Jot down the main info - maybe put it in outline form. What will be on the main pages? Will you need more than one page? Gather the images you might want to use.

3. The basic Layout

"It's best to have the same basic layout for most of your pages. ... Do you want the same image (logo) to show on every page? Where do you want your menu(s)? Do you want one column for the content or two? Will you have a sidebar on the left or right? If so, what will be in it?" ~computerscs

Look at some sites to get ideas. Write some notes or make a sketch of how you want you site to look - nothing detailed - just the basics.

Once you have your general plan, you will be ready for the next step which will be some information about Best Practices.

I've decided to have a thread for each step so that people can ask questions or give tips and suggestions for each step.

Do you have tips or suggestions about the planning stage. What software do you use to plan or do you use pen/pencil and paper? Is there a site where you go to get inspiration? Do you have questions about what people like or don't like in a website.

Let's help each other plan.