Do's and Don'ts
I wrote this article to explain to new and old webmasters alike the basic mistakes that people make when they publish their websites. These are just a few do's and don'ts to think about when creating your website.
Do: Learn how to code correctly
Maybe you haven't noticed (or maybe you have), but Geocities and Piczo websites are not attractive. If you learn correct HTML, you're not only off to a great start (learning how to do things the right way), but your pages will look a lot more professional and you'll be able to personalize your website more. To learn HTML basics and codes, visit W3Schools. Coding correctly is important -- if you don't code properly there is a good chance your website will not display right in popular browsers, and that's a quick way to lose repeat visitors.
Do - Get a content management system.
A CMS is critical to having a well structured and organized website. CMS's usually come with archive systems, blog categories to organize your blogs, comment systems, and more. You've probably heard of some really good popular CMS: Wordpress, Expression Engine, and Textpattern are all fantastic. If you're looking for something easier and more basic, I suggest Flatpress. Comments are great, but if that's not your thing, I recommend Bellabook as a guestbook.
Do: Get a good design program.
Adobe Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro are great graphic design programs, but they cost money. Luckily there is a free alternative: Gimp. Although Microsoft Paint is really helpful in some cases, you want to stay away from making whole layouts there. Programs like Photoshop and Gimp give you more flexibility to create your layouts and better design options overall. Visit sites offering tutorials on popular design software as well as gimp tutorials to learn cool effects. This Gimp e-book is also a good resource if you want to learn about what Gimp can do.
Don't: Copy other layouts and/or ideas that are not your own!
This is common sense. Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's free for the taking. Stealing is illegal, even if it's on the internet. Try to be unique in your design and content (careful about content mishaps!). Here's a basic template to start you off. If you're having trouble creating a layout, visit graphic websites that offer free layouts for you to use. Remember to keep these tips in mind.
Do: Promote your website.
Join listings to spread the word, create a button and post it on a plug board, or become affiliates with some of your favorite sites. This way you can attract new visitors and get your website out there.
Do: Update your website regularly.
If you have a blog, update at least weekly. If you tend to blog every other month, don't expect many visitors to return. Inconsistency shows that your website is not a priority to you, and your visitors will lose interest quickly. Avoid tri-monthly blogging at all costs.
Don't: Put us to sleep.
Make your blog an interesting read. What would inspire discussion and comments? Stay away from topics that have been done over and over. If you don't have a fresh take on something, it's better to just leave it alone. Check out the articles How to Write a Better Weblog and 10 Tips on Writing the Living Web to improve your writing.