How to Build A Website from Scratch
Without Learning How To Spell HTML
Conventional web developers suggest Dreamweaver to build a website. However, Dreamweaver costs around $350. If you'd like a free solution, many
would suggest NVU cost-less. Meanwhile, many internet marketers have cloned NVU and made it their own. The catch
is they embed their own advertising within the programs throughout the software interface.
My Own Web Building Experience
I built my first website in 1995, with no software whatsoever. I hand-codeded my first site from scratch.
I do have a copy of MSfrontage and Dreamweaver. I rarely use them mainly because there is some learning curve
involved (especially with Dreamweaver). On a sidenote, frontpage has its own flaws; it generates some weird symbols
on the fly.
What Do You Need A Website For?
Instead of asking what is the best tool out there to build YOUR website, you need to figure out what is it that
you want to accomplish.
Think first before you get to the nitty gritty of building a website.
What do you want to achieve in having a web preference? If you simply want to build a web presence, you don't
need to own a website. You can simply host one for free! For example, you can go blogging on Blogger.com and start
an account for free. In 2 minutes, you can post your thoughts online!
Having said that, there are many advantages of having a website. The primary reason is control. Without owning
your own domain and website, you are very limited.
Depending on your business model, your criteria of choosing a web-builder vary. For example, if you are a
designer who needs to display your art work, you may want to learn DreamWeaver to showcase your design skills.
What Are The Options?
In fact, there are MANY options out there for you when it comes to web building. I've used NVU, Site Build It,
Frontpage, DreamWeaver and a few others...
There are also other considerations; if you are trying to build a more "functional" website. For example, if
you'd like to build a Membership website or Forum. Then you may have to look into some other options.
You should understand there is some difference between a web builder vs a Content Management Solution. A web
builder simply builds webpages, while content management solution may provide you with some backend functionality,
e.g. membership management, affiliate marketing and the like. The technical requirement may be higher for non-IT
persons.
Amember, MembershipEase and MemberGate are just some of the others if you require some backend functionality to
control your members.
At the end of the day, it's what you want to do with your site. It's hard to say, what's best. First consider
your requirement then your options; but not vice versa.
What Do I Use?
As an internet marketer, my purpose of having a web is to inform the readers. The tool must be fast, easy and
intuitive. Although I hand-coded my site some years back, I don't use DreamWeaver or Frontpage.
I primarily use Xsitepro and Wordpress to build my sites.
I used both Xsitepro version 1 and upgraded to version 2 last year. It's easy to use. I truly believe it's state
of the art. It's particularly good to build a content website.
It's designed for non-technical person who would like to build a content website. It creates a simple format
(known as CSS) which keeps the website consistent look and feel throughout the entire site, without you hacking
into codes.
It has all the bells and whistles of Site Build It. An annual subscription of Site Build It is more than the cost of Xsitepro - an one time purchase.
It's a no-brainer.
(note: I used Site Build It a few years back and know the costing structure. If you aim to build one
site with Site Build It, it's $299 per year.)
My Complaints?
I used to have one complain against Xsitepro. People could not comment or leave feedback. People love
interaction and commenting on a website.
Intellimon (the Company that develops Xsitepro) has devised a commenting script which can easily get commenting
and rating functions integrated with Xsitepro. You may see a demo of it at the bottom of this page. My only
complaint is now long gone!
What about Wordpress?
Wordpress is good and recommended by many internet marketers. The good thing about Wordpress is that it offers
you a lot of plugins and functions. It can even become a membership site easily with one plugin (addon file).
Wordpress is good but invites Spam posts. Also, the frequent patch update sometimes frustrates me. I update the
patch more than the posts themselves!
The Best Of Both Worlds
The one good thing about Xsitepro is that it can incorporate your Wordpress script into the same Look and Feel!
In fact, I have incorporated Wordpress with my site here.
You may check out my wealthyhub blog where you see new items being announced.
I still use Wordpress for blogging purpose, but perhaps with the invention of Xcommentpro, I will diminish using
Wordpress in the future.
Final Consideration:
Please bare in mind, to build a website is one thing, establishing an online business is another. If you have no
idea how to build a website, I suggest you try out Xsitepro. However, if you have no idea how to build a web business, check out Site Build It as it does have something good to offer, but that is more expensive than
Xsitepro. Also, you will have problems when you try to migrate the domain to another
site. Site Build It is good for people who are just starting out.
Conclusion
For newbies or people who don't have any business background: Site Build
It!
For intermediate or people who already have a sound business knowledge and product to sell: Xsitepro
For advanced marketers who only need a web presence and know how to tweak the template, go overboard with
Wordpress with various plugins and perhaps play with DreamWeaver and/or other CMS platform.
Note:
You may also want to check out my other articles to see why internet
business is more than just building a website.
If you have any experience in web building and have advice for others, please comment below:
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