Build a website for free

Creating a website can often be done at no cost. This is because many ISPs will include some free storage for the site, known as webspace, as part of the account they offer.

There are plenty of free web design programs from which to choose. Here, we will guide you through the process of creating a website with pictures, music and video using the free web design software WebPlus 6.

Have a plan
The most crucial part of creating a website is planning who will use it and what they will use it for. This affects not only the design of the site, but also the software used to create it.

Many popular websites have a very basic design, but draw visitors because of the quality of their content.

A good example of this is MetaFilter, where registered users can share links and comment on interesting websites they have discovered.

For the most part, though, people use their personal websites to share photographs or information among family, friends or clubs and societies.

Some people have started successful businesses from just such amateur sites. Friends Reunited is an oft-used example of a site that has mushroomed from a very simple idea.

Once you have established who your audience is, working out what type of content to put on the site and the best way to present it should be relatively straightforward. The next step is to get the software together and get started.

Getting started
WebPlus 6 is available for download at Serif Software’s site. This 26.5MB file will take about an hour to download with a dial-up connection.

Once Serif’s site has loaded, select the Web Publishing link at the top of the page.

Click on the Download Now link, then on Continue Free Download. Finally, choose Start the download of WebPlus 6 link.

If Explorer’s Pop up Blocker stops the download, click on the bar at the top of the browser and select Download File. Select Save in the dialogue box and choose a location on the hard disk that will be easy to find later.

When the download has finished, click on the Run button and keep selecting Next until the installation is completed.

Now that WebPlus has been installed, select the Run WebPlus now button.

The registration wizard will start automatically when WebPlus is used for the first time. Note that the computer must be connected to the internet for this to complete.

Click on Start Registration and fill in the details. Check that you enter the correct email address because the code for using WebPlus will be sent to it.

Click on Next and then open your email for the registration key. Enter this into the box and then select Next.

It’s not necessary to enter any further information in the next step, but unchecking the two options will stop advertising emails from Serif.

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