Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Some basic questions about having your own site

Gerto · 11-28-2006, 05:01 AM

I have a few websites myself, so if you'd like some more help, feel free to contact me

.

The first step, is indeed to learn html. You certainly need that. After that, you can learn how to build dynamical websites, through PHP for example. That's what I've done

.But if you think JAVA is hard, I recommend choosing the other option

.That is, using a a CMS (Content Management System):
Basically a CMS allows you to set up a site just by activating and deactivating functions in an easy-to-use admin panel. The advantage is that for the popular CMS's , there are hunderds of functions around and it's much easier than making everything yourself. The disadvantage is that in the beginning they usually are a bit overwhelming, and especially, if you don't know PHP (most are written in PHP AFAIK), there may be some things you'd like to change, but don't know how to do that. But usually, the last one isn't really a disadvantage 'cause there are so many options you can change from the admin panel usually. In my opionion, Joomla is a great CMS.

Okay, I hope you're still with me

. So, as the others already explained, you'll also need a server , a remote computer that hosts your website. I'd recommend Dreamhost , but there are many options. (if you'd decide to use them, PM me, I'll give you a 50$ discount if you sign up through my referral link

). After that, you'll also need a domain name, you can usually register that through your host (f.e. Dreamhost).

Now that you have a CMS (or you know a coding language), a host and a domain name, you can begin setting everything up! It will take some time to get used to everything, but if you'd really like to have your own website, it's certainly worth it!

Now, for the money-making part. There are loads of options, but the easiest one to start with is Google Adsense , you've probably seen those ads loads of times already, on the left side of this forum for example. Basically, they add ads to your website that are related to the content of your website, and you make money every time someone clicks on it. There are also other options, like CPM (you get paid for every 1000 people that see an ad), or CPA (you get paid if people buy something through a link you put on your website),but I think that that'd make this post a little too long.

For now, if you haven't done so already, you should start by choosing the topic of your website, and what will make your website better than the competition

. Know that creating and owning a successfull website requires a lot of work (look at Steve

), but in the long run, I find it very satisfying. But that's why it's so important that you create a website because you really like the topic the site is about. You're going to be spending a lot of hours on making the website, writing informative articles , getting visitors and learning new things.

I hope this helps a bit. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask

Good luck!

-Gert

11-28-2006, 05:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
Gerto Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 68	I have a few websites myself, so if you'd like some more help, feel free to contact me . The first step, is indeed to learn html. You certainly need that. After that, you can learn how to build dynamical websites, through PHP for example. That's what I've done .But if you think JAVA is hard, I recommend choosing the other option .That is, using a a CMS (Content Management System): Basically a CMS allows you to set up a site just by activating and deactivating functions in an easy-to-use admin panel. The advantage is that for the popular CMS's , there are hunderds of functions around and it's much easier than making everything yourself. The disadvantage is that in the beginning they usually are a bit overwhelming, and especially, if you don't know PHP (most are written in PHP AFAIK), there may be some things you'd like to change, but don't know how to do that. But usually, the last one isn't really a disadvantage 'cause there are so many options you can change from the admin panel usually. In my opionion, Joomla is a great CMS. Okay, I hope you're still with me . So, as the others already explained, you'll also need a server , a remote computer that hosts your website. I'd recommend Dreamhost , but there are many options. (if you'd decide to use them, PM me, I'll give you a 50$ discount if you sign up through my referral link ). After that, you'll also need a domain name, you can usually register that through your host (f.e. Dreamhost). Now that you have a CMS (or you know a coding language), a host and a domain name, you can begin setting everything up! It will take some time to get used to everything, but if you'd really like to have your own website, it's certainly worth it! Now, for the money-making part. There are loads of options, but the easiest one to start with is Google Adsense , you've probably seen those ads loads of times already, on the left side of this forum for example. Basically, they add ads to your website that are related to the content of your website, and you make money every time someone clicks on it. There are also other options, like CPM (you get paid for every 1000 people that see an ad), or CPA (you get paid if people buy something through a link you put on your website),but I think that that'd make this post a little too long. For now, if you haven't done so already, you should start by choosing the topic of your website, and what will make your website better than the competition . Know that creating and owning a successfull website requires a lot of work (look at Steve ), but in the long run, I find it very satisfying. But that's why it's so important that you create a website because you really like the topic the site is about. You're going to be spending a lot of hours on making the website, writing informative articles , getting visitors and learning new things. I hope this helps a bit. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask Good luck! -Gert Last edited by Gerto; 11-28-2006 at 05:04 AM.