How Long Does it Take to Make a Website?

If you are one of those people who are just beginning to make money online a common question is "How long does it take to make a website?".

You have probably hear everything from "push-button" results to 3-4 weeks. In reality, unless you have decided exactly what your money making plan for your website is...it is impossible to give a realistic answer.

Now, on the other hand, if you already do know how you want to earn money with you site then we can start to get into the details.

There a number of ways to approach putting together a website depending on your needs and goals. I will introduce you to two different models and the time it has taken me personally to get the website up and running.

Just, a note...I am not an expert webmaster and have never taken any web design classes but have had the good fortune of coming across the right training at the right time. You could enroll yourself in a college course but with the advances in software technology it might be more beneficial for you to learn about how to set up a basic website before you decide to invest hundreds or thousands in tuition.

Here are some options you should consider:

1. WordPress.org Blog Website (EASY - 30 minutes)

If your goal is to set up a blog then you are in luck because WordPress offers an easy solution to setting up your website. First, you will need your own hosting account on which to install and host your blog. If your hosting account has a program called Fantastico, simply click on it for pretty straight forward WordPress blog installation instructions. They will ask you for the domain name that registered earlier and you will have to also supply a user name and password.

Once your blog has been installed you can visit it. You will probably want to change the look of the blog which is called the 'theme'. It is easy enough to do and the best part is that many themes are available from WordPress for free. There are paid options out there that give you more features but if you are just starting out I suggest you wait until you have had a bit of a play before you start spending money on the ultimate look of your blog.

2. WordPress.com Blog (EASIER - 20 minutes)

If spending 30 minutes is too much for you to learn how to start a blog from WordPress.org, which by the way, Google absolutely loves, then start even smaller with a WordPress.com blog account. They do all the heavy lifting for you and it is as simple as signing up for a email account. Just register and follow the prompts.

So why on earth would anyone want to "waste" 10 extra minute learning how to set up your blog on your own hosted site. The benefits are far too long to go into in this particular article but in a word - CONTROL. When you host it yourself it is yours to do what you please. Some people sell them or turn them into cash cows. You can not do that with a free blog from WordPress.com.

Regardless of what route you choose, setting up a blog as your website does not have to be a long and painful ordeal. The information is definitely out there for you to learn exactly what you need to know. For me, it is just about finding the right teacher.

5 Factors That Make a Good Website

When it comes to website likes and dislikes, everyone has their own opinion. As a webmaster, your main goal is to create a site that will initially attract as many visitors as possible and keep them coming back for more. Visitors that find a site unattractive, boring or difficult to navigate probably will not return.

Appearance

In the case of cyber real estate, appearance is (almost) everything. Even if you are partial to things like strange color combinations, flashy graphics or fonts and a myriad of photos and videos, you need to remember that most people are not. In fact, these components can be a real turn-off to many.

Instead, opt for a fairly simple design that complements the content and purpose of the website. Minimal photo placement is pleasing to the eye, as long as it is relative to content. Appropriate and increasingly popular background color choices include muted shades of blue and green.

Navigation

There's nothing worse than a website with inadequate navigation options. At times, this frustrating navigation can be equated with being stuck in a revolving door or lost in a jungle. Always include a "home" link or simple site map on static web pages. Sites hosted on a blogging platform benefit from the addition of both a "category" and "recent posts" widget.

Topic Selection

Many successful webmasters will tell you that the narrower niche topic, the more successful the site will be. Why? The answer is simple. Most Internet users are searching for specific information. General topic sites, which include information on many things, tend to be jumbled and confusing to visitors who rarely take the time to thoroughly explore the site.

Testimonials

A testimonial page is imperative if you offer any type of product or service to your visitors. It will help to prove your credibility and guarantee the quality of the goods you provide. Satisfied customers are typically more than willing to supply you with a short testimonial, simply by asking for one.

Contact Information

Although it's not number one on the list, current contact information is an important factor of a good website. This is especially true if you utilize your site as a means to sell products. Potential visitors will be much more inclined to buy, if they know there is some way to contact you in the event of a problem. Other visitors will simply want to ask a question or leave a comment.