Building a Website

It seems that everyone is getting a website and those who haven't (who need one), soon will. Many websites are created equal in terms of layout, a.k.a., template websites, and even then contain content relevant to the person it belongs to. However, even content can be the same if the author of the website doesn't research and set themselves apart from every other look-a-like website. Some template sites are free while others can cost $50 to $150 depending on the seller. Website developers also offer custom sites for as low as $150 (2 pages and minimal hosting services). The person's ability to program/use HTML and their creativity will determine the cost of the project.

For me, I created my website layout using Photoshop then had a design company program it's foundation. I thought about how I wanted it to look, my needs for it, and that it had easy navigation. A user friendly website is what invites returning visitors, so instead of using a traditional layout I made certain that mine would engage the visitor and want to keep them clicking on pages. The possibilities are only limited to the time a person is willing to invest in researching the web and finding HTML and other coding sites that offer free code for any feature that can be thought of.

My website design is a three panel layout that eliminates down scrolling. At the top, my links surround a photo banner on three sides and below this are the three text panels. The left panel has my networking links. The middle panel tells what my website is about and has a bookmark button along with updates and subscription info. The right panel provides a noteable links section featuring pages of greater interest; some of these are Notes (character related), Photos (3 roll-over galleries), Characters (Flash page) and Playlist (there's 2, one with character requests). Interactivity is an important part of my website. There's also a 45 second Flash intro that's part of my novel's theme. My website has taken time to develop, and will continue to do so as my needs as a writer/author grow.