| Are you afraid that you might need an advanced | | | | handling e-mail requests. |
| degree in computer science before you can | | | | A good rule of thumb in beginner web design is to |
| create and design your own website? | | | | give equal priority to making your site visually |
| Think again. In reality, beginner web design can be | | | | appealing and in writing the code that will enable it |
| done by anyone who possesses patience, | | | | to run smoothly and accomplish its purpose. Your |
| attention to detail, and empathy with the visitors | | | | site should also be accessible to all users. |
| who will be coming to the site. | | | | Remember that some people use magnification or |
| No, you don't need to be a software engineer. All | | | | speech software to read the information on the |
| you need is a domain name. You may even be | | | | screen. Well-written, accurate code will aid in |
| able to find a free web page and only be required | | | | accessibility, as well as decreasing the time your |
| to pay a small hosting fee. In any case, once you | | | | page takes to load. |
| have the foundations, designing that site is simply | | | | Likewise, it is vital to put yourself in your visitors' |
| a matter of attention. | | | | shoes when you are visually designing the site. Is |
| Ask yourself what you want the site to | | | | it clear and intuitive? Could a neophyte user take |
| accomplish and keep this goal firmly in mind | | | | advantage of what you have to offer with |
| throughout the process. Second, remember that | | | | relative ease? Are there any extraneous or |
| your site design has both a front and back end. | | | | confusing materials that should be put to the side |
| The front end is what your guests see when | | | | for the sake of clarity? |
| they get to the page and what interacts with | | | | Traffic generation is a subject for another day, |
| their browsers. Since a number of browsers are | | | | since it will be the means by which you steer |
| being used these days, you want to make sure | | | | people to your site. Now, at least you have the |
| that your site is understandable to all of them. | | | | foundation built. Your beginner web design effort |
| The back end contains the nuts and bolts, the | | | | produces a nice effect, does what it needs to do, |
| code that enables the site to do its work of | | | | and is welcoming to your visitors. You're off to a |
| inputting user forms, updating the database, and | | | | great start. |