You can build a website
There are easy ways to do things and difficult ways to do the same things.
Some of us just like the challenge of starting from scratch but to be honest,
I could not afford the programme needed to make the magic code at the level I
needed so decided to learn html and see how it went.
Look UP definitions as you go along!
I use wikipedia.com - a great starting point for definitions and explanations.
On your own computer!
I used "Notepad" already installed on my pc, and all the free help I could get. But the most important thing is patience. You also need time - though how long will depend on how sophisticated you want your page/site to be.
To start:
learn basic html code and, I suggest, css along with it.I used html_dog.com which literally takes you through step by step. Do exactly as they say then Just put your own headings and text in place of theirs to make your page personal.
At this stage you don't need a web host and your site is not on the web, but looks like a website.
Once you've got some basic code use "copy and paste" rather than write it all out time and time again.
There are standards: W3C The world wide web consortium Read about them as it is easiy to make a coding error and fall foul of the standard (I know because i have error codes which I am trying to fix!). It looks daunting and is - but we can at least aspire to high standards and use the faciites provided to check our code. I'd say don't be put off if it is not right first time though.
More explanations
After the first thrill of a page appearing before your eyes, things will start to go wrong! Pictures won't line up, half your code may suddenly disappear (chances are you forgot one little character!) the title will look too big or too small. Your imagination may run riot with ideas for content and multiple pages which you can't put down quickly enough.
You will look at other sites and want to do simliar things - or become judgemental over their poor layout. I used "Creating Websites - The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald (Pogue Press, O Reilly) - the only book I have bought!
Finding a Host
You will need someone who can host your site, providing you with all the necessary services.
Now- there are many many of them. How do you choose? By price? The first one that appears in a search? One that is recommemded?
I chose the UK hosting companywhich was not first in the search but was not too far down the list. it has a very calm feel to its pages, nothing dancing in front of the eyes, and offers a choice of plans - I decided to pay for a simple plan, but there is a free one. Best of all - I was able to ask a question and get a prompt, personal answer. Bliss!
Now you are live
Here come the responsibilities
.You need to check your content, update regularly, watch ( and enjoy) your statistics (provided by your host I hope) and obey laws.
I use validator.com and I confess I left it later than I should have to have my pages checked so I recommend you get into good habits early.
Navigation
You will have started with a simple list navigation but at some point may want to be more professional. It took me ages to try to work it all out and in the end I opted for a download from DynamicDrive one of my favourite sites. You will see games by their contributers on my site as well.
We each choose our own level and there is no point in struggling beyond a reasonable degree. I read a few sites first and try what seem to be the easiest instructions. If following those doesn't get a result, I'll make a couple more attempts with other sites, maybe leave for a day or two and then look for a download. often by doing this I can then understand it,in the context of my own site.
Learning takes time and sometimes we get too fustrated and need a break of hours, days or maybe weeks. I see no shame in having a simple site, and have on occasssions, backtracked to something simpler. Which reminds me - Make backups regularly (I save onto a disc as well as keep file copies in my own computer.
RSS and XML
I've just managed to add RSS to my site - no problem finding RSS feeds that others are happy to have on my site. But I got really stuck when I tried to make my own feed. In the end I used Linkassure. The BBC has a good explanation of feeds to help those who want them from its own news site.
Submit your site
Top search engines such as Yahoo and Google will most likely find your site on their own. You can also submit your site to search endines and directories either directly or via a submission programme. As with any new subject, it is worth reading articles by impartial authors before you jump in, especially if you are thinking of paying.
More sites to explore
Webmonkey - I keep in my favourites and use when I want to change colours - they show a very good pallette
Advertising
If your website is a business then of course you will want to advertise your products - and maybe complimentary products from other businesses. For a personal site advertising is a matter of choice. Ads that match your site content can be very atttractive and enhance your visitors' experience.