Making a website

The basics & first steps

http://bit.ly/maketheweb

How the web works

"facebook.com"

Your Computer

DNS

"Domain Name Server"

• Send a request - "facebook.com"
• DNS converts the request

How the web works

69.171.230.5

"facebook.com"

Your Computer

DNS

"Domain Name Server"

• Send a request - "facebook.com"
• DNS converts the request

How the web works

69.171.230.5

Facebook

"facebook.com"

Your Computer

DNS

"Domain Name Server"

• Send a request - "facebook.com"
• DNS converts the request
• Facebook receives the request

How the web works

• Send a request - "facebook.com"
• DNS converts the request
• Facebook receives the request
• Facebook sends the website files

69.171.230.5

Facebook

"facebook.com"

Your Computer

DNS

"Domain Name Server"

Components we need

• A domain name "yourname.com"
• A web host
• A website platform (optional)
• Website files

##.###.###.#

A web host

"whatever.com"

Your Computer

A domain name

Files

Cost

• Domain name
  • $10-$15 a year
  • always buy privacy protection
• A web host
  • $0, or $1-$10 a month
  • be careful with free
• Files / "Theme"
  • $0-$60

##.###.###.#

$1-$10

"whatever.com"

Your Computer

$10-$15

$0

How geeky do you want to be?

Cost

Time commit

high

low

low

high

HTML
& CSS

1) Choose a Platform

• HTML/CSS
• Tumblr
• Squarespace
• Weebly
• Wix
• Kirby
• WordPress
• Hundreds of others
  • WordPress.com
  • Ghost
  • Statamic
  • Stacey
  • Drupal
  • Joomla

HTML/CSS

• Webflow - create from scratch visually
• HTML5 Up - nice pre-built sites
• Codrops Freebies
• Themeforest
• Creative Market
• Google
  • "HTML theme"
  • "Minimal" is cliché but helps avoid feature bloat
  • Stay away from flashy effects
  • Always view the demo

WordPress

• Themeforest
• Creative Market
• Google
  • Same tips as HTML/CSS
  • The more you have to tweak, the longer it'll take

Squarespace

• "Walled Garden"
• 14-day trial, no credit card needed
• Built-in themes

Kirby

• Kirby Home
• Kirby Themes
• Kirby Showcase

2) Choose a Web host

• Big names $10+
  • GoDaddy
  • Bluehost
  • Dreamhost
  • Hostgator
• Cheap $3
  • A Small Orange
• Super cheap <$2
  • NearlyFreeSpeech
• High-end  $5-$10
  • Digital Ocean

3) Choose a domain name

• NameChk - check availability
• Typically bought through your web host
  • For email addresses, buy through Hover instead
• Spend a lot of time finding a good name