Pinewood Design

FROM:  http://postworthy.com/Worthy/ex/How_To_Create_A_Web_Site_In_5_Easy_Steps/56.aspx

5 Easy Steps To Create A Website

Introduction:

In this tutorial you will learn all the basics that you will need to create a website from scratch. It is assumed that the reader of the following 5 Easy Steps To Website Creation has no prior knowledge of how to build a website from scratch and all the basics will be covered.

I would like to mention that I feel there is a distinct difference between a creating a simple website and creating a complex web application (Google, Yahoo, Ebay, Wikipedia, ect) and the skills required to create the latter require much time, experience, and knowledge which ,can not be compressed into 5 Easy Steps To Website Creation.

This article is not intended to be a comprehensive look at creating large scale data driven applications but the concepts developed in this how-to can be used as a starting point or a foundation upon which such skills could be built.

step 1

Picking A Domain Name:

First, what is a domain name? In simple terms a domain name is what points the world to your website, it is your identity on the web. It is important to remember that a bad domain name can ruin your chances of ever becoming popular. The name that you pick is going to be with you for the life of the website you create so make sure to find the perfect name. There are some key traits that I would recommend when searching for the perfect domain name:

• .COM - Firstly, .com is the most used TLD on the web and it is also the most recognized. If at all possible get a .com domain name. But do not sacrifice all at the expense of a .com name.
• Short - The shorter the name the easier it will be to remember and easier it will be to share. (This may be difficult to do)
• Memorable - You want your name to be memorable so that a first-time visitor does not have to struggle with the name of the site they just visited and can recall it later.
• Related - You want the name to be related to your core business concept or idea (this should be common sense).
• Hard to Misspell - If your name is hard to spell then potential visitors may go to the wrong website while trying to reach your website.
• Get the Alternatives - Buy the .com if at all possible but also go ahead and get the .net and .org as well so that if your website becomes popular that you will not lose your brand to squatters.

Purchase Your Domain Name:

So where do you buy your domain name? Well there are many places that you could purchase a domain name but I would recommend you use GoDaddy.com $1.99 Domain Names. I personally use GoDaddy.com for all of my website related expenses and I have never had any complaints.

step 2

Finding The Right Web Host:

Now that you have your domain name the next step as you create a website will be to find a web host. The hosting package that you choose is very critical in the success or failure of the website. I would always recommend that you prepare for success and choose a Hosting Plan that can accommodate such success. Here are some of the things that I look for when deciding on a web host:

• Price - (Free or Fee) You can find free web hosts out there but if you are looking for free always remember that you get what you pay for. If you are preparing for success then I would recommend a low cost hosting solution with the ability to upgrade your hosting package if your demands increase.
• Server Platform & Framework - A very important decision that should be made will be what type of software your host will need to support. As we will see when we talk about creating your website the software that your host supports determines what type of website you can create. Some typical platforms include LAMP and ASP.NET.
• Reliability & Speed - This, in my opinion, is the most important aspect of finding the right web host. As you create a website that is popular it is important that those requesting to view your pages are never turned away because of an unreliable host or a connection that is to slow. As you make your decision on which host to use keep in mind their reliability, read peer reviews and compare them among their competitors.
• Data Transfer (Bandwidth) - If you have a popular website then you will also need to make sure that you can accommodate the traffic that popularity brings. To help estimate your bandwidth requirements you will want to look at the size of all the files on you web page and add them up once you get a total file size multiply that by you estimated visitors and you will have you bandwidth requirements.
• Storage/Disk Space - If you are going to create a large website then you will want to make sure that your web host will allow you enough space to host all of your web pages. Storage space is no longer as critical as it once was since storage discs can be purchased at a relatively low cost in modern systems.
• Technical Support - Remember you are new to the idea of how-to create a website so any help you can get is a gift from above. As a newbie to web development you will likely need as much support as possible so keep this in mind when looking for a web host. Web host technical support is not going to be a baby sitter for you but as long as you are a paying customer they will do all they can to keep you happy.
• Database Availability - Database availability may well be outside of your needs at the moment (this is for beginners) but I always keep in mind that data is what drives a website and having the option to use a database verses having to create static files is a great plus.
• Perks (Blog,Email,FTP,SSL,Remote Admin) - Probably at this point support for open source blogging platforms would be my next area to look out for but email, FTP, SSL, and Remote Access will save you time as well. If you are looking to set up a simple blog then I would suggest checking around the web to see if the host works well with WordPress.

Purchase Your Web Hosting:

I would recommend a GoDaddy.com Hosting Plan because I myself use GoDaddy for hosting and have had great results with them. If GoDaddy does not have a plan that is right for you you may also want to look at 1&1 website hosting or FatCow website hosting . There are many many other good web hosts out there so make sure to find the plan that fits your needs.

step 3

Creating Your Website:

Basics:

Before you can even start on your journey to create a website you must first learn the basic language of the web HTML. HTML, Hyper Text Markup Landuage, is the predominant markup language for web pages. It provides a means to describe the structure of information on the web - by denoting certain text as headings, paragraphs, lists, and so on - and to supplement that text with interactive forms, embedded images, and other objects.

As teaching the basics of HTML is out of the scope of this how-to I will to refer you to a great resource for gaining an understanding of the fundamentals of HTML.

Once you have a basic understanding of HTML you will be ready to create your first web page. Typically the file extension for this page will be .html denoting it as an HTML file. Using your fundamental knowledge of HTML you will be able to create an endless supply of static web pages for your visitors to view but you will over time notice just how static a plain old html page can be.

Blogging:

With some basic HTML knowledge you will know have enough skills to manage a simple blog. There are many choices out there for blogging software and I will start by recommending two free blogging platforms and for the business minded a third paid blogging platform:

• WordPress - Wordpress is by far my favorite blogging platform due mostly to its very active community. You can find templates for your WordPress blog to give it its own unique flavor. You can find countless widgets to add extra functionality. WordPress is easy to install, easy to manage and perfect for a new commer into the blogging world. If you want to avoid the hassles of setting up your own server you may also want to take a look at WordPress.com which offers a free blogging account, this is of course more restricted than running it yourself.
• Movable Type - Movable type is another popular blogging platform that is available for free to download. I have personally never used Movable Type but I have heard many good things about it around the web. Many popular blogs around the web use it (BoingBoing.net is one that comes to mind).
• TypePad - Type pad is made available by six apart which is the same company that makes Movable Type available. Type Pad is more of a commercially viable Movable Type offering combining the great Movable Type software with a reasonably priced hosting service. If you are looking for an out of the box blogging platform with more features than the freely available WordPress.com site then you may want to try TypePad.

Beyond The Basics:

Once you have the basics down you will undoubtedly desire more flexibility out of your website. To gain more flexibility you will now need to learn a server side scripting language to gain the ability to create dynamic web content.

As dynamic web content is far beyond the scope of this how-to I will only provide the interested reader with a list of resources to further explore dynamic web content with the server side scripting languages I would recommend as a starting point:

• PHP - PHP is fairly straight forward to understand and is relatively easy to pick up and learn. I would recommend PHP for someone who has never been exposed to programming as it is easy to learn. Here is a list of PHP editors for those interested in exploring PHP.
• Ruby on Rails - Ruby on Rails is a free web application framework. It aims to increase the speed and ease with which database-driven web sites can be created, and offers skeleton code frameworks from the outset. Ruby on Rails provides a great framework to quickly create data driven websites so this is another tool that could be useful as you create a website that is dynamic in nature. If you are interested in further exploring RoR then take a look at the RoR Homepage.
• ASP.NET - This is my final recommendation for server side scripting and it is also my personal favorite. ASP.NET in my opinion in the most robust toolset/framework for web development that is currently available. If you are serious about creating dynamic data driven content then do not leave this tool out of your toolbox. For a newcomer I must warn you that ASP.NET is more difficult to learn and master than the afore mentioned tools but the reward in productivity and flexibility that is gained with the investment is in my opinion well worth it. If you are interested in usint ASP.NET visit Microsoft’s express site and download your free copy.

Download Your Tools:

There is really nothing that you must buy to do your development because much of what you will need is available for free. You can start blogging with WordPress , Movable Type or TypePad or you could make the leap and jump into the code with PHP, Ruby on Rails, or ASP.NET. But remember to make sure that your web host supports the server side scripting language that you pick!

step 4

Marketing Your Website:

When it comes to marketing a website I create I prefer to get the most bang for my buck. To make the most out of the small budget that I typically set aside I have been forced to improvise. If you are looking to spend an enormous amount of money on a web marketing campaign then you can skip to the next section. If on the other hand you are looking for simple ways to increase your website traffic while not breaking the bank then continue reading.

In the past someone who wanted to create a website and market it had few options to make the most of their budget but those times have changed and I would like to share with you a few tips to help you start generating extra targeted traffic. When I create a website I use the following methods to market it effectively:

• Google AdWords - This is one of the cheapest ways to guarantee quality targeted traffic. The thing I like best about using Google AdWords is that the visitors it sends are actively seeking out content that I provide so they tend to stay active on a website longer than any other source of traffic.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - SEO is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via “natural” (”organic” or “algorithmic”) search results for targeted keywords. Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results, or the higher it “ranks”, the more searchers will visit that site.
• Social Media Optimization (SMO) - SMO is a set of methods for generating publicity through social media, online communities and community websites. Methods of SMO include adding RSS feeds, adding a “Digg This” button, blogging and incorporating third party community functionalities like Flickr photo slides and galleries or YouTube videos.
• Pay-Per-Post Blog Reviews - Pay Per Post Blog Reviews is a method of generating buzz by getting someone active in the blogging community to talk about your website by offering them an incentive to do so.

Tell The World:

So the first thing to do is to optimize your website using SEO Book as your guide, this can be the simplest and most cost effective marketing tool you have available because search engines are where most people start their journey to find your website. The second thing to remember is that SMO is your friend and probably the most important things to remember (a.k.a - high school stuff); be cool, speak their language, socialize with the community, be in all the cool cliques, and get the cool people to talk good about you. Last but not least Sign up for AdWords.

step 5

Monetizing Your Website:

It is easy these days to make money from your website if it becomes popular enough. Though it is easy to make money it requires much time and a very dedicated effort to make a substantial amount of money online. There are basically four ways that you can monetize your website:

• Google Adsense - The easiest and by far the most popular method is Google Adsense so first I would suggest you Sign up for AdSense. Once you have signed up follow Google’s instructions and place the Google Adsense ads on your website.
• Affiliate Marketing - Affiliate marketing is a web-based marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate’s marketing efforts. This method when used properly can often times out perform Google Adsense in terms of profit generation. I would recommend that you balance your affiliate marketing efforts and your Google Adsense efforts as you create a website that will maximize a return on your effort.
• Pay-Per-Post Blog Reviews - Pay Per Post Blog Reviews is a method of generating buzz by getting someone active in the blogging community to talk about your website by offering them an incentive to do so. If you have an active blog and you are active within your given niche then you may also be able to generate revenue by writing PPP reviews.
• Sell Your Own Ads/Products/Services - You always have the option to sell your own ads/products/services to generate revenue but this is often times the most difficult option to generate revenue unless you already have a brick-and-mortar store or you are an established website. I would recommend the first three options (Adsense & Affiliates & PPP) and have mentioned this only because if your website truly become popular this method could provide additional revenue streams.

Sign Up And Make Money:

If you have made it this far all that remains is for you to Sign up for AdSense. Also you will want to register with an affiliate marketing site like Commission Junction. You could also get paid to blog.

written by Pinewood Design \\ tags: Create, Website

 1. Organic 3D

Here’s something new for 2008: we will be seeing 3d effects in logo design that will reach different places and stimulate different viewers who are craving for a new, fresh look! Polish those lenses and see 3D escalate to a higher level!

Let’s take an example. You’re seeing the Silverlight logo for the first time. Your eyes are trying to absorb every feature and then-you suddenly react. What’s your first reaction? A breathless “WOW”? Do you find yourself saying “aha”? Does the Silverlight logo design trigger a feeling in you, arousing a desire to actually want to see the product that’s behind that logo? That reaction was what the creators of this corporate logo were aiming for.

The logo designer starts with a very basic shape that is applied to a simple transparency effect. This can lead to a more complicated process, but one thing you must remember is that the end result should look as organic as possible. Take your distortion tool for a good spin!

We welcome this type of logo design because it stands out and it tells us that it’s not “run of the mill.” You see, the 3d bubbles and transparency effects - which were overused - were getting really boring. There is just one downside: ”eye catching ” logos were appearing on the scene and becoming more sophisticated but they are not necessarily the easiest to print.

In fact, the capability to print the logo exactly as it looks on screen is a frequent request that stands at the basis of corporate logo creation. Is it possible that the constant technological development that now allows us to accurately reproduce a design on different surfaces will generate changes in the classic laws of logo design?

Technology organizations that produce and market groundbreaking products and services use this type of company logo design. By using the “organic 3d” effect, logo creators avoid that cold image look which is so typical of other companies’ logos in the technology field. This type of logo is not only eye catching, but is also friendly. And here’s a bonus: the lighting effect is fantastic!

2.  Waves - The New Swooshes

That’s it - no more swooshes! After years of being number one, swooshes have now been replaced by the so-called waves. Do you see these waves in the above logos? Top graphic designers use them to inject more flexibility and flow into the design. To highlight the idea of movement, logo designers execute a fade technique from one color to another for this type of logo design. It does not matter if a single wave is used or is incorporated into the design; the round shapes give it flexibility so that the viewer gets a sense of movement and of communication. “Waves” are a good strategy to suggest the feelings of movement, transfer, quickness and connection. They are not easy to use, but if you master the technique, you can produce and optimize the effect. “Waves” are now IN - they have replaced swooshes, swirls and other curves you find in logo designs everywhere. Could waves be the new swooshes? Will they dominate the scene in a few years? Long time ago we thought swooshes were trendy. Then they rose in popularity so much they become a big NO NO. And today, waves are hugging the limelight. Will this be the new trend? We shall see!

3.  “Web 2.0″ Logos

Designers often hear the term “web 2.0″ from their customers who ask for this specific type of logo. The term Web 2.0 actually refers to certain technologies (Ajax, Ruby, etc). The thing is, can we really say that there’s a new trend in graphic design, the web 2.0 design?

It seems to be the case these days. A web2.0 logo is now synonymous to a modern and trendy logo, and this is why we find an impressive number of tutorials on the Net that allow designers to transform existing logos into web 2.0 logos. What characteristics do web 2.0 logos have? They have bright colors, color levels, cute, icons, 3D effects, shiny surfaces, shadows and reflexions. The fonts are simple and most of them rounded. In some cases the color levels, shines and 3D effects are also applied to the lettering.

These effects must be used very carefully, because we have seen countless cases where the logo designer uses these elements to make a logo look good but neglects to give the concept the necessary attention it deserves.

Some of these logos are beautiful. They catch your eye instantly and give you the feeling of sophistication and technology. But is the web 2.0 logo design trend strictly related to the current popularity of web 2.0 technology? Will this trend fade when something else replaces web 2.0 technology?

Interestingly enough, we are sure that this type of logo can also be called the “apple type logo”. We are all familiar with the Apple logo; in fact we were astonished when in 1998, Apple gave up the “rainbow logo” and launched the “glass Apple logo “. This logo has turned out to be one of the most famous brands in the world, and it “stirred up the crowd” without any doubt when it was first launched. The fresh, innovative 3D technical image was one influential factor, but its bright and warm qualities contributed to the evolution of logo design and the way a brand should be perceived.

Today we are flooded with 2.0 web logos that unfortunately have become too common. We’ll have to wait and see whether they are here to stay or are just a passing trend. What do you think?

4.  Transparency in logo design

We’ll say this right away: transparency has always been fashionable. Designers often use transparency, thanks to the notion of elegance that it communicates. Transparency allows the combination of different design elements offering the viewer a special image. With the help of transparency you can create perspectives, suggest the ideas of growth, development, combination and connection.

Some famous designers are of the opinion that only inexperienced logo designers use transparency and color levels. We disagree. Transparency enables you to create some unique effects that definitely catch the attention of the viewer. Transparency makes the design brighter, and the subtle transition from one element of the design to another provides the illusion of a bright spot. Take a close look at the DarienLibrary logo. What better suggestion would you make regarding the existence of additional elements without the help of transparency?

5.  “Underground” Typography - Minimal Fonts

Examine the logos above. Have you seen similar ones before? These are logos that we have often found on the sites of Typographic Artists over the last few years. Who would have thought, however, that they would become mainstream by the year 2007?

These logos are based on minimal fonts that are achieved by using as few elements as possible such as basic shapes (e.g. a circle arch for the Wends logo). This technique is based on simple shapes, exact proportions, and a boundless love for minimalist design. This type of logo design will suit some people and companies perfectly but it continues to create confusion among conservatives.

Here’s a question: can this type of design lead to the development of a good logo? Most people would be inclined to say no, especially if the classic principles of logo design - Legibility and Readability - need to be considered. It’s true that logos based on the so- called Minimal Fonts do not provide immediate conveyance of the message. However, most agree that they do manage to catch the viewer’s attention, provoking a sentiment or desire to “figure out” what the message is.

Those who are looking at such logos will immediately want to find out the name of the company and to grasp the meaning of these logos. Furthermore, there is the element of shock when viewers see something new and very different from what is usually seen on the web.

You could even say that this type of logo often proves to be more efficient than a logo that merely conforms to classic rules. This statement is relevant to a discussion on the emerging new rule: the more a design is different to what is happening in the industry at a given moment, the better and more efficient a logo is. Logo designs based on minimal fonts require a long-term experience in graphic design and typography; they are also not yet suited for all kinds of customers. We see an increasing number of them being used on album covers of good electronic music, on web sites that target the indie audience, or on web sites of “cult” graphic design studios.

It is our opinion that this is so far the coolest trend for 2008. We hope to see more logos that are created using this particular trend.

6.  New Rainbow / Color Scale

We’ve seen a thousand rainbows in our lifetime. Yet, each time we see one, we can’t help but stare admiringly at the sky even for just a few seconds. We feel that sentiment of wanting to “chase rainbows” as the lyrics of a song go.

Classic rainbow-colored semicircles have been widely used in the last decade but alas, have quickly become pass�. However, the fascination with the full color scale continues. Lately, we have been seeing a lot of “rainbow colors” that are being manipulated in a variety of ways. Most designers will use transparency in order to highlight the visual effects and to enable the fusion of colors, thus obtaining an impressive shift from one color to another. Techniques like vivid colors, shifting from shades of red to blue facilitated by an entire spectrum of color, and especially the usage of a dark background to highlight each color lead to outstanding logos that will always be attractive to the human eye.

These logos convey the concepts of sophistication, technology and freshness. With a nearly infinite number of possibilities for combining colors, the visual effect is invariably special. What is really spectacular is that although the classical rainbow representation has come to an end, the message still remains the same: there are no boundaries - nothing is impossible. This trend proves that using classic elements will generate novelty and will also bring about up-to-date and striking directions.

7.  Sci-Fi Fonts

In logo design the font frequently serves to strengthen the message as conveyed by the image. But what about the typographic logos? In this particular case, choosing the right font is crucial. Many of these logos can be memorable. With the development of the number of personal computers per capita, we are now witnessing the rise of a new category of logos , using what the industry refers to as Sci-Fi fonts.

Whether they are the creation of famous designers such as RayLarabie and Wim Crouwel or are projects produced in the typography classes of some diligent students, we have seen an ever-increasing number of these fonts over the last few years.

In the beginning of 2000 and later, we remember graphic design teachers recommending infrequent usage of these fonts. Their reason was that it was just a passing trend. What happened was the opposite. It seems they’re digging their feet in.

The frequent use of sci-fi fonts, with straight edges and simple shapes has imposed itself as a new trend in logo design. We’ve seen various designers “play” with these fonts in their logos: they either change the font shape or create a new one in programs such as FontLab.

Let’s take a look at the example of Compaq. Compaq chose this type of font for its company logo redesign project in 2007. It clearly conveys the company’s new slogan: “See why Compaq gets people talking”. See how that slogan is conveyed in the shape of the Q? See the Talk Box? That’s an example of a logo that clearly conveys the core message by means of wording only. After all, less is more, isn’t it?

8.  Leaves Logos

No matter which logo design collection you browse through, you will notice that they have all been “invaded” by leaves over the last few years. Leaves here and there, leaves everywhere! You sit and wonder why. Could this be the result of a common concern for the environment and the harmful effects of pollution? Is it because green is trendy? Or are humans aching for nature because they sit all day in their office cubicles facing their computer screens making them crave for the natural outdoors?

Leaves have become synonymous with creativity, originality, and innovative thinking. We also find leaves in company logos even if the companies are not engaged in the business of nature or the environment. But the key notion here is that the use of leaves somehow “tames” the message conveyed.

Lots of web 2.0 sites feature leaves making spring-green the preferred web 2.0 color. We’re not talking about the classic image of the leaves themselves but about their stylization, especially under the form of rectangles with rounded edges - this is a modern representation in accordance with modern design trends.

These logos are usually simple and leave the viewer with a pleasant image. Another benefit is that these company logos are very catchy. The thing we have to be wary of is the overwhelming invasion of leaves - they are now overused. Tutorials have already appeared, showing how to create a leaf logo. Will this trend last or will it lead to the need for raking the leaves and sending them off to the dump site? What do you think?

9.  The “Ugly” 80’s

Take a look at the logo designs above. What’s your first reaction? They bowl you over and leave you speechless - and somewhat confused don’t they?

These logos don’t have beautiful shapes, shadows, mirrored reflections, warm colors, or icons that signify something; they look like the result of some kid playing around mindlessly. So why would anyone wish to have such a logo?

The explanation is simple: this type of logo design is very different and will definitely stand out by sheer reason of being totally different. But if we look back to the 80’s which was a period of strange geometric shapes and neon colors - these types of logos came about and earned the reputation of spearheading the invasion of “cute logos”.

The emergence of this trend can also be attributed to a mighty comeback of the 80’s in fashion ,interior and industrial design. Some consider these logos to be modern and futuristic; others think of them as plain ugly. But let’s not be too harsh in our criticism because the mere fact that they are so talked about is noteworthy enough.

There are numerous articles that picked apart the London 2012 logo. Although many agree that the 80’s have not demonstrated excellence in graphic design and people severely criticized this trend, we should nevertheless consider the advantages that this type of logo has to offer: first, it stands out and gets noticed; second, it’s totally different than anything we’ve seen before; and third, it’s never boring. In fact, we’ll even venture out to say that it’s outrageous, exciting and rude. Each of the colors symbolizes an explosion of energy, action and sound in accordance to our living present. The message is quickly and brutally conveyed and it doesn’t require thinking on the part of the viewer. In other words, an alluring and attractive no-brainer!

We’ll add that this trend has revolutionized logo design and fueled the process of creativity by imposing new rules and redefining what’s beautiful. Of course, there are still risks involved regarding this type of approach, the highest risk being the inability, on the part of the viewer, to understand the message. Companies that cannot afford an expensive publicity budget like the one for Wacom or London 2012 are particularly susceptible to this risk. So designers, pay attention! “It’s pure attitude, designed to intrude and degrade.”
(Tony Spaeth)

 

10.  The New Crest

New Crest logos have been around in the last few years. The year 2008 though will sound out the trumpets - New Crests go Mainstream!! With the clever combination of medieval symbolism and urban culture graphic elements, the New Crest logos appealed to the youth when they first appeared. Eventually, they were also adopted and embraced by the extreme sports and boarding communities everywhere. At the same time they were used by well known graphic designers for big clients like MTV etc.

Maybe it’s the contrast between the old and new - novelty fonts against medieval lions as an example; another example would be the ancient decorations versus modern objects.

Collage is the main process behind these emblems, blending the right elements to strike the right chord. And if you think about it, isn’t this what graphic design is all about anyway?

We tend to like new crests and think it’s a good experiment to try with the right client in 2008 and the years to come. One word of caution: new crest logos are not for beginners. Designers need to get some experience under their belt first before taking a crack at these logos. It takes a trained eye and oodles of creativity and imagination to take new crest logos into new highs!

From Logoorange

written by Pinewood Design \\ tags: Design, logo, logoorange