STEP 5: Create and Launch Your Web Site
1. Have you loaded your site with your chosen web host provider?
When you are ready to publish your Website and make it live on the Internet, you
can upload files from your computer to the your web host’s server. The process
of uploading files can be done in three ways (you can also use FTP to download
files from a Web site to your own computer):
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- Using a third party file transfer protocol (FTP) application such as
WS_FTP Pro and CuteFTP that you downloaded or purchased online
- Web-development application such as Microsoft FrontPage
- Through the FTP application provided by your web host accessed by
logging into the host’s web control or administration panel.
2. Are the scripts and application you need for your website
functioning well? It is commonplace for web hosting services to provide
several scripts to their clients for free from message boards to statistical
software.
However, it may be possible that your needs exceed the functionalities of the
scripts and applications offered by the web host. Hence, you either procure the
license or download for free applications that would support your needs. For
third party applications, you will be responsible for ensuring the compatibility
of the application with your web host’s servers and the installation of the
software (your web host will not install it for you). If you lack the skills to
install the software, you can either pay the vendor to install the application
to your server or hire another person to do the installation.
Whether you installed shopping cart software, banner ad management software,
discussion board or refer-to-friend scripts, thoroughly test the application to
make sure that it is functioning well with no errors.
3. Have you tested your website? Once you have uploaded your
files, including your home page, you are ready to test your site in a browser.
Simply type your domain name in your browser. If your domain name transfer if
not yet complete, you can view your site by typing your temporary URL. When your
site displays in the browser window, check your links to be sure that they are
all working properly. Also, be sure that your entire image files display, as
they should.
Your customers will be using different computers, systems, and screen
resolutions to access your website. You need to make sure that your site
presents and functions itself well across all systems. Test your website across
browsers and computer systems, making sure that it looks good for both PC and
Mac systems. Also test your website across different screen resolutions from
800x600 pixels to 1280x1024 pixels screen resolutions.
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