FAQ on Building a Web Page
by Foye Robinson, Demand MediaIf you're new to web page design, you may have some questions about building a web page, perhaps everything from where to begin to getting your web page on the Internet. Building a web page can try your patience, but it doesn't have to. With the right tools, some creativity and knowing where to find the answers you need, you'll be well on your way to building a web page and getting it on the web.
What Is a Web Page?
A web page is an online brochure that tells people about you, the products or services you offer, or whatever you want people to know about you. A website is made up of one or more pages, and may be static or dynamic.
What Is a Static Web Page?
Static web pages include hard-coded content. There is no user interaction with the website and the content remains the same until it's manually updated.
What Is a Dynamic Web Page?
Dynamic web pages are interactive, allowing the user to work with elements on the page. This may include adding a schedule to the web calendar that others can view, paying a bill, submitting a form and playing online games.
What Is HTML?
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, which are special tags used to create content for HTML documents.
What Are WYSIWYG Editors?
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors refer to the software that's used to create a web page without HTML. It hides the code while you create your website, so you can see the layout in progress. WYSIWYG editors look and feel like word processors.
What Programs Can I Use to Build a Web Page?
If you're designing your web page from scratch with HTML, you can use a text editor such as Notepad or WordPad. Advanced web editors such as Dreamweaver allow you to switch between HTML and design view, so you can build your web page either way. You can also design your web page using an online web editor, through your web host -- if it's available -- or other provider.
What Do I Need to Publish a Web Page to the Internet?
You need to register a domain name (web address) and sign up for web hosting, so you'll have somewhere to place your web pages once they're created. If your software includes FTP (web publishing), you can publish your website directly from it. Otherwise, you will need separate FTP software such as CuteFTP or FileZilla to upload your files to the web.
