5 Steps to Make Your Own Website without Learning Code

    NEW YORK, NY, May 26, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Most people who lack technical expertise can't imagine creating a website without hiring a professional. The free website builder Wix has a drag-and-drop interface that challenges this conception.

1: Become Inspired. We all have our favorite websites. What is it about those sites that cause you to keep coming back? Spend time surfing the web for websites you consider attractive or successful. Browse through Wix's gallery of free Flash web templates by clicking on the "Create" section of the Wix homepage. The templates are organized by category, so all Photography templates are together in one place, Business templates, Art templates, and so on. Check out what other Wix users have made in the past in Wix's "Explore" gallery. This gallery contains examples of websites created by Wix users. Many of them have no prior experience with web design, or programming. Pretty inspiring, right?

2: Map Out Your Structure. Now that you've seen some good examples of web layouts, make a simple sketch of your desired website structure. Start with your Homepage. Most websites include a separate "About" page, a page describing the products/services offered, and a Contact page. Creating a simple sketch on a piece of paper will help you visualize your website's needs so you can stay on task. The purpose is to help you develop a well-organized and focused website with a clear layout.

3: Find a Free Website Template. Every template at Wix is royalty-free and entirely server-based, so no payment is required, and no downloading is involved. All of the design elements (text, pictures, colors, links, sizes of items, widgets, etc.) on each template can be easily changed with the Wix editor. You can also create a free website from scratch with the "blank website" template. Whatever template you decide to use, click on it and select Edit. You'll then be asked to sign up for a free user account. Ener in your e-mail address, and create a user name and password. Now you have an account with Wix. You can use the free website builder to create as many websites as you wish.

4: Personalize Your Site. Your template will be automatically placed inside the website builder interface. Now you can customize your site. To ADD something to your website, select the item from the menu on the left side of the builder by clicking on it. Drag and drop it wherever you like on your website. To EDIT something on your site, just click on it. A drop down menu will appear next to the item, as well as a panel full of options on the bottom of the builder. Change the font, color, linkability, behaviors, effects and more of any item with just a few clicks of your mouse. No need to enter in any code.

5: Saving, Publishing & Updating Your Website. Until you're ready to publish your website live on the internet, just use the "Save" button. The first time you click "Save" you'll be asked to name your Wix. Once you title your free website, its URL will contain your user name, and the name of your Wix site. Publish your site by clicking the green Publish button inside the editor. Anytime you want to update your site, hit "Save" and immediately view your changes. If you decide later on that you want your own domain, upgrade to a Wix Premium account and gain additional control over your website's online success.

Free Web Design Elements Included in Wix:

Pages and Menus
Every good website has easy-to-follow navigation, which allows a visitor to freely move around the website's pages without getting lost or confused. There are two items in the Page Parts section of your free website builder that are used specifically for this purpose: Mini Pages, and Menus.
Mini Pages are just like regular web pages, but with more customization options. They are "pages" of dynamic content that visitors to your site can turn.

To add mini pages to your Flash website, go to Page Parts and select Mini Pages. Choose from the style gallery on the right side of the editor. To link a menu to your mini pages, click on a mini page and select "Add a Menu". You can move your menu wherever you like, but be sure to place it outside of your mini pages so it can be seen no matter where on your site a visitor is. Click "Manage" to change the title of your mini pages, rearrange their order, or add more pages.

Text
You can add text as titles and paragraphs. To add text with scrollbars, go to Text in your Quick Tools menu on the left side of the website builder, select Paragraphs. To change any of the text in your free website template, click on it and select Edit. You can also add hyperlinks to your text from the Link option in your property panel, as well as change the text's color, font, and the amount of space between letters and lines of text.

Images
To add an image, go to the Media button and select Pics. To change an image in one of Wix's templates, click on it and click "Replace". Choose from images in Wix's free collection, from Fotolia's extensive stock archive, or from your own computer by clicking "Upload". You can add Clip Art or Animation from the Clip Art button.

Galleries
To add a gallery to your free website, go to Galleries and select a gallery style. Once your gallery has been added, click on it and click Manage, and Add Photos to add your own pictures. Each photo you click on will automatically fill the gallery. You can add title descriptions for each photo, and links. Use the Property Panel to customize the skins of your gallery and more. You can even add a menu to your gallery. Just click on the gallery and click "Add Menu".

Widgets
Widgets are items within your site that visitors can interact with, by clicking on them or entering in text. There are tons of exciting widgets that you can use to make visiting your website engaging and functional. Add music to your website by selecting the Player widget and uploading your own music file. The Player widget also lets you include video playlists, with multiple videos. Set up links to your blog or Twitter account through the RSS widget. A Contact Form widget allows visitors to enter messages into your free website, which are sent directly to your e-mail. The Shopping Cart widget turns your website into an online store. (This widget is available only to users who upgrade from their free user accounts to Premium accounts.)

For even more tips and helpful resources that will help you learn how to make a website, visit http://www.wix.com.

Wix.com was created in 2006. The company is funded by Mangrove Capital Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners and Benchmark Capital. Wix offices are in New York and Tel Aviv.

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