There are several mechanisms that can be used for getting content onto the web.

1. Microsoft Small Business Centre.

Another resource if you are thinking of starting a small web business is offered by Microsoft at Office Live Small Business. Microsoft currently offer not only an intuitive on-line web builder but a free web site domain and email free for 2 years also. Additional small business advice can be found at Microsoft Small Business Centre. Microsoft has now opened Microsoft Office Live Workspace in beta which offers on on-line microsoft experience allowing you to collaborate with others in education, business, or to support a charity

2. Google Sites

Google sites provides the platform for a group of individuals to get together and create. Suitable for organizations, schools and teams of individuals. It's not targeted at community groups but I see no reason why it couldn't be used by communities

3. Open Source

Open source is community driven software development and provides sometimes FREE software based on certain criteria. Joomala and Drupal are popular web development packages but do require some technical skills. Two directories which allow you to source Open source software include SourceForge and Ostatic

4. Build from Scratch.

To build a website from scratch you will need to gain programming knowledge in the following languages and possibly more and various other web development techniques.

• Html
• Java
• Php
• CSS
• Flash
• Ruby

Learn using books, magazines, Internet research and free tutorials available from places such as YouTube.

5. Build using web development software

Dreamweaver and Microsoft Front Page were the traditional web development tools and are still used by many web developers. Opensource has brought many more tools to the market which can be used to build internet sites some such as Joomala and Drupal have become quite popular.

For more basic web sites the following tools are available and may be used but often with these tools your are providing access to your data to third parties. Depending on the detail of your content these tools may still be sufficient. These site builder tools have been designed specifically to help the non expert to build web sites or to allow for rapid web page design.

• Encore
• Freeway4.0
• Easygen2
• Mr Site
• Jimdo
• Zude
• Webjam
• Weebly
• Magix
• Serif
• Synthasite
• Clikpic.com

6. Employ someone to build a website for you.

Obviously it is best if you wish to employ someone to build a website for you to do it based on recommendation but there are some alternatives available.

You can advertise the work on the internet job boards and review applicants;

• Jobserve
• Monster

Find web developers within developer portals and commumities such as;

• Expertexchange
• Elance
• iwdp
• Approved index
• Web Development

Alternative you could support your local businesses by searching the Yellow Pages or Thomson local for a local web designer.

7. University Course or College Course

The Open University runs a number of short courses on subject areas relating to web development. You may also find web development courses being run at your local college or university.

8. Web Services

Application programming Interfaces can be implemented to allow others to use an existing software architecture. For example, Amazon acts as a service broker by providing a variety of scaleble solutions for business based on their own corporate web software. Amazon Web Services offer solutions for marketplace, merchant, databases, billing systems and more.

In all cases as part of your website development I would encourage you to consider seriously the impact of

• Search engine optimisation
• Quality graphic design and images
• RSS
• Web copy techniques
• Web marketing techniques

Web Page Last updated: June 2008