This resource will help you understand basic concepts and tools for creating websites.
Creating a website
A website is a collection of related web pages. Web pages contain a variety of information including text and multimedia elements. Web pages are created using technologies like HTML, CSS and JavaScript which are interpreted by a web browser.
Front-end web development technologies
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language for creating web pages and web applications. Together with Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript, they form the foundation for the World Wide Web.
- HTML describes the structure of the web page.
- CSS styles the structure created by the HTML
- JavaScript adds dynamic elements to the page and provides greater control of web elements.
Learn front-end web development
Watch this video for an overview of these three web technologies.
Building a website
There are three main ways to build a website:
- Use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) site builder to build the site from the ground up. Examples include: GoDaddy, Wix and Weebly. This is the easiest way to create a website, without needing to know all the technical stuff.
- Use a blogging platform such as Wordpress (no coding knowledge required but intermediate knowledge of using software)
- Start from scratch using HTML, CSS and Javascript (this requires an intermediate understanding of website coding). Dreamweaver and text editors are great tools for working at this skill level.
If you are creating a website without using a (WYSIWYG) site builder or blogging platform you will need to choose a web hosting service and a domain name.
Registering a domain and hosting a website
Domain registration
Domain registration is the process of acquiring a domain name from a domain name registrar. The domain name is the URL (e.g. mydomainname.com) people use to access websites. Registering a quality domain name is essential to helping people find and remember your site.
Many web hosting services offer complimentary domain name registration for the first year of service.
When choosing a domain name make sure it is short and memorable, use relevant keywords, choose the appropriate domain name extension: e.g..com, .org, .biz, and other extensions. Select the one that best fits the purpose of your website.
Hosting
A web hosting service allows individuals and organisations to make their website accessible via the World Wide Web. It provides online storage service for all the files needed for a web site.
Web hosts are companies that provide space on owned or leased servers, as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center.
Free website creators like Wordpress.com have the hosting built into the site, but may contain advertising and will usually have their name included in the domain name (i.e. myownwebsite.wordpress.com).
Website creation tools
| Tool | Ease of use | Tutorial | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Beginner-friendly website builder, large domain name register and website hosting. For anyone who needs something very simple, very quick and straightforward. |
Beginner - fully guided | Website Builder 7 Help | Paid |
|
A online website creator that operates in a web browser. It allows users to create websites and mobile sites using online drag and drop tools. For anyone who wants a solid overall website builder at a good price. |
Beginner | Weebly Support | Free with paid options |
|
A cloud based web development platform which allows users to create websites and mobile sites using online drag and drop tools .For anyone who wants to DIY but also wants more built-in features & designs. |
Beginner - Intermediate | Wix Help Center | Free with paid options |
|
WordPress.com is a simple way to create a website, blog or app. For anyone who wants simple blogging functionality & website designs. |
Beginner - Intermediate | WordPress Support | Free with paid options |
|
Adobe Dreamweaver is used to edit HTML, PHP, JavaScript, CSS and related files, and can also be used to upload them to a Web server. Developers use HTML Editors because they offer features that make it easier to write code. |
Intermediate - Advanced | Tutorials | Paid |
|
Text editor (Notepad, Notepad++, TextEdit etc.) These are text editors that are used for programming purposes to write HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and other scripting and programming languages. |
Intermediate - Advanced | Notepad++ Resources |
Notepad (part of Microsoft Windows) Notepad++ (free and open source. Available on all Library computers) TextEdit (part of MacOS) |
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