Getting started: two ways to go
When you are thinking about creating your first website, or when you have already created some but did not enjoy the process or the results, you may be wary of throwing good money after bad. Or maybe you just want to help out a friend, create a site for a friend who has no money. Here are a couple of ways to go:
Easy, fast, no html needed: If you want to get a site up quickly, choosing the look from an assortment of options, and you either are not familiar with html or don't want to use it, try the free version of SiteKreator. You can sign up for a site and be editing it in minutes. The site offers friendly, dragon-led tutorials that are easy to understand, or you can just go with what you already know from various editing programs. Editing is easy and fast. With a free account, you get
Completely Web-based design tool
10 MB Web site hosting
Intuitive Text and Image Editor
5 stylish designs
The site's web address will be http://www.sitekreator.com/yourusername (where "yourusername", obviously, is the name you choose when you sign up). You get a fully-functional website, and the only advertising is a discreet note that your site is "powered by sitekreator". What's not to love?
If you are looking for more design or page options, you may want to upgrade to "personal" or "business" accounts, which will cost you money.
Another option in this category is Windows OfficeLive. You can create your own website for free. Domain name included. Lots of styles from which to choose and editing is easy.
A little more work, a lot more for little more money: If you want to try your chops on a larger site that gives you more opportunities to customize, consider checking out Otis Works' free web hosting. Simply purchase a domain name (under ten bucks) and you get free ad-based web hosting. You can choose from a large array of custom scripts - built a shopping cart, create an art workshop, create a photo gallery, and so much more. You can add a blog to talk about your experience. If you prefer, you can manage your site through any html editor, thereby giving you full control. If you find that there are too many choices (!) you might want to move over to Otis Works' Website Tonight, a web-based design tool that will get you running in minutes. This option is not free, but it's far less expensive than a web designer and you retain full control.
