Web design is as varied as any other kind of design, and not everything will appeal to everyone under every circumstance. But there are a few unwritten rules that any successful website should follow. If nothing else, keep these tips in mind when you are designing the layout, theme and format of your website. These are specifically tips on design, not tips for content or anything like that. (more…)
One of the latest ways to build and maintain a website is to use a CMS, or a Content Management System. These are software programs that run on your web server, and allow you to create a site within a framework. Not sure if that even makes any sense. Basically, a CMS provides you with the bones of a site, and gives you an interface to add material and make changes without you having to actually learn any coding. Like a big template. I highly recommend using a CMS if you are going to launch your own site, especially one that is content-rich (with lots of articles and stuff like that). (more…)
Many online writers today use a blog format for their own sites (like this site does), and it’s a great way to present your material. But given the journal-style of a blog, people tend to assume frequent updates more than they might with another style of website. So, how often you should post a new blog on your website in order to maximize visits and popularity? (more…)
This post is specifically about choosing a topic for your own website, but some of the points will apply if you are doing freelance writing for others at this point. So even if you’re not an independent online writer, keep on reading.
So you’ve decided that you want to work for yourself, and rake in some of those big Google ad bucks. Well, the first step is deciding what you want your new and wonderful website to be about. It may seem like an easy choice, but you should take some thought before getting in too deeply. (more…)
Since I’ve been talking about blogs so much lately, why not keep up the theme? If you are thinking of creating your own blog for your writing efforts, using the Blogger network is a good place to start.
There are two great benefits from using Blogger. The main one is that the service is completely free, allowing you to launch your new venture with no financial investment at all. It really doesn’t cost all that much to create a site, but if you are unsure of your potential success, then why waste the money?
If you are planning on launching your own website, once you decide what the heck you are going to put on it, you’ll need to get a domain name. This article is on how to buy a domain only. Trying to choose a good one is another matter altogether.
Firstly, if you are a complete and utter newbie when it comes to the creation of a website, you might not even know what I am talking about. A domain is the “label” for your website, the way it is identified in a browser and makes up the URL that people use to link to it. The www is NOT part of the domain name, though. So some domain names would be google.com or yahoo.com. For this site, the domain name is become-an-online-writer.com. Yes, I know it’s too long.
