Instructional Designer
Process Discussion
How to Create a Website (Task 1)
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Determine how you would like to create your website and where you would like to host it. There are several website builder companies that you can use if you’d like to take advantage of WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) tools such as drag and drop, html editing, and so on. Another option is to design and host your website on your own. For the purposes of this outline I’m going to assume you’ll be using a website builder.
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Once you have identified how you would like to build your site you may consider buying and linking a custom
domain to it. Most website builders will allow you do this all within their platform, however, you can also buy your domain on a cheaper website and link it later if you choose.
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Next you’ll need to draft a wireframe sketch to show how your website will flow. Start with the home page and then add additional pages as needed. Consider how you want a user to navigate through your website when planning the menu and other navigation opportunities. It is important to create a frictionless and logical UX so users can easily use your website.
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Once you have mapped out the pages you’d like your site to include and the user flow, it’s time to create a working template within your website builder. Start by creating all the pages you planned in your wireframe.
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Next, use placeholder content to add in headings, subheadings, and any other text elements. Next add images and media.
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Now that you have a working template you can begin to draft your written content. To do this, begin by writing your page content in a word processor in lieu of the website builder. This is a critical step as you want to avoid losing your work. Once you have written all the content for your pages add it into your working template with images and other media to enhance it.
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Next you’ll need to evaluate each page to ensure it has the look and function you planned. If needed, adjust the text and images until you achieve the desired aesthetic. Next, review each page for consistency. Everything on your website should look like it belongs. Stick with the same colors, fonts, etc. throughout the website.
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Lastly, you’ll need to publish your website and do a quality assurance check. After you publish click through each page to test links, image load times, and skim for typos. It also helps to share your website with a trusted colleague or friend in case you’ve missed anything. Once your QA is complete your website is ready to share with the world.