This section is created for those of you, who would like to have a starting point in step-by-step form when building youir own website. Whenever there will be any specific features in SiteSpinner to be used, I am going to try to point them out or/and place a link to Bruce's and Larry's websites for more detailed explanations. Some of the guidelines include also SiteSpinner specific information when relevant. Watch out for the sticky note.

The 9th step in this guidelines deals with issues how to organise your workflow and build up documentation in order to make your future maintenance easier. The 10th step is created for SiteSpinner users where and how to get assistance when you have a specific problem.

There is a lot said and written about web design and marketing, so I am not pretending to re-invent the wheel here. I am merely trying to describe the necessary steps in the process of creating a website. It is just a basic summary of accumulated experiences I gained while working with web design coupled with some insights from my work as management consultant. The rules are just a framework or a checklist, if you like, and I hope it will make it easier to create your own presence in cyberspace.

Define your main target group. It is much easier to choose a style for your website if you have an idea about the preferences of your potential customers

Before you start working on your website make sure that you are absolutely clear about the site structure.  Make an interface design i.e. how will the pages be linked. You can simply do it on a piece of paper. I use a small drawing software called 'Dia' to do that. If you are a SiteSpinner user you might need to decide if it's better to have the website as one big project or divide it in several smaller projects.

After completing those four steps you should have a general idea of how the content is going to be divided into different sections (pages) and how those sections will be interconnected. You'll find this structure quite useful when you start working on a site map for your website. Don't forget to make updates along the way if you decide on changes and adjustments. If you are a SiteSpinner user have a look at step 9 in my guidelines in order to get an idea how to organise your work and if you need a drop-down navigation for your pages get it here. Let's move now to the elements and principles of the actual web design.

Now your website is finished and ready to be launched online. At this stage you will need to try the functionality of the website. You can do that easily even before you get your own domain name and a webhost. For more details click here. When deciding on a domain name make sure that it reflects your site and/or your business as close as possible.

Your website is in the cyberspace so now it's time to let everybody know that you are there. Before taking any steps try to define realistic expectations for yourself. Nothing is going to happen over one night. It takes time and strategic planning. The first step towards publicising your website should be accomplished by now.  A well designed and architectured website with fundamentals of keyword research and content development already in place. If you would like to find out more click here to check your own activities against my suggested steps.

Your website is out and known to people and you need to regularly update the content. Did you organise your workflow from day one? Do you know where all images, media files and external files are placed on your computer? If your website is small you can feel that it's not so important but let me tell you, all the elements you use even for a small site can soon become a big mess and difficult to find after a couple of months. How to manage your project, especially using SiteSpinner is what the final step in this guidelines is all about.

This section contains suggestions how to organise your folders and files with some specific references relevant for SiteSpinner users Click here for more detailed description