Create web sites, online photo albums, postage stamps and more
The tutorials in this section provide free instructions for creating a wide range of projects. Here are two to get you started:
So many ways to creat a Web site or blog
Before you can create a great Web site, you need to decide if you:
- Want to create a Web site or a blog?
- Want to sell 1,000 products online or sell online subscriptions?
- Want to create a personal profile or an online magazine?
- Want to share a few vacation photos or set up a professional photography site?
Today there are so many ways to create a Web site it can be confusing at first. This tutorial is designed to help you sort through the many options to find the best software and web tools for your project.
Once you understand the options, you can make a better choice about which programs and services will work best for you. Thoughtout this article, you'll find links to tutorials and other references where you can learn more about each of the programs and online tools described below.
What's the best way to create a web site?
- The difference between a web site and a blog?
- What Web design program should I use: Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Expression Web, FrontPage, or GoLive?
- What graphics program should I use: Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, or Fireworks?
- What blog should I use: WordPress, TypePad, Blogger?
- How can I share photos online at: Flickr, Kodak Gallery, Shutterfly, and Photobucket?
- Bonus: Here are a few of my favorite Web design tools and widgets
The first challenge in choosing the best program, service, or system for your Web project is deciding what kind of web site you want to create.
Here are a few popular kinds of web sites and guides to how to create them:
- Create an online photo album in minutes
- Start a blog or online journal
- Create a family Web site with an online service
- Learn professional Web design in our Dreamweaver Training Center
- Discover Microsoft's New Web design program Expression Web
To help you understand your choices, here's a brief explanation of a few kinds of Web site options and some of the features that go with each one:
Online photo album sites
Even if you plan to create a more complex Web site, you may want to set up an online photo album site because it's so easy, and free!
Online photo services make their money by charging for prints and other gift items, which they are happy to create from your uploaded photos.
(Learn more in our Share Photos section.)
Family Web site services
Do you have a family reunion coming up? Or a wedding to plan? Having a baby soon?
A web site can be a very helpful tool when coordinating family events. And if you choose an online service, such as the ones featured here, you don't have to be tech savvy to set one up.
These online services are simple to use; just fill out a few forms, choose a template, and upload your photos to create a Web site for your wedding, new baby, or family reunion in a matter of minutes. Prices range from $5 to $10 a month, and include a wide range of special services, such as the baby growth chart and guestbook options at babysites.com, and the gift registries, maps and hotel reservations, at myevent.com, which can come in handy when you're trying to help your guests find the wedding reception, or when you need to find accommodations for a large group.
MyEvent.com is our favorite family web site service - it's so easy!
Myevent.com makes it easy to create Web sites for weddings, babies, bar and bas mitzvahs, family and college reunions, and any other event.
They also offer a nice collection of easy-to-use tools for adding special features to your site, such as maps, hotel reservations, and gift registries. And they offer free help when you need it. Visit them at Myevent.com.
Blogging and online journaling programs
When deciding what kind of Web site to create, one question to ask yourself is: How often do I want to add new text or images?
If the answer is "daily" or "weekly," then a blog is a great way to go. You can learn more about how to create a blog in this tutorial.
Creating a custom Web site
If you want to create a completely customized Web site, you'll need to hire professional Web designers or buy special software.
The most popular Web design programs are Adobe Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression Web. If you're not sure which program is best for you, you can read a review of Expression Web and Dreamweaver here.
Register a domain name
No matter what kind of Web site you choose to build, you should definitely consider registering your own domain name to make your site easier to find and provide you with your own address.
Get Inspired with These Great Web Sites
Looking for ideas and inspiration? Check out some of our favorite family Web sites and you're likely to find a few great ideas you can use, too.
Want to learn more? Visit our bookstore!
You'll find lots more tips, tricks, and step-by-step instructions in Janine's books:
- Digital Family Album Special Occasions
- Digital Family Album Basics
- Web Sites Do-It-Yourself For Dummies
- Dreamweaver CS3 For Dummies
Discover how video training makes learning fun!
Video training for all your software needs in our Total Training video section.
