This page addresses the basic steps for getting started with a genealogy web site.
Initial steps
Make sure you have a web browser that is at least a version 4.5 for Netscape and version 5 for Microsoft. You may download latest versions from Netscape or Microsoft. Which one you pick is a personal preference as either one works just fine.
Visit other genealogy web sites to see examples. Best stating place is sites.rootsweb.com
Don't buy a bunch of books on how to do web programming. Everything that is needed can be found on the internet at no charge. See the links below.
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Preparing a web site does not require expensive tools. Anything from a basic text editor to an inexpensive graphics program.
Think about what you want to put on your web site based on looking at other web sites.
Things which don't work well on a web site are:
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large graphics - unless you use a small thumbnail and state how large the file is |
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word processor files - You may love your MS Word 2000 program but not everyone can read those files; plan on using RTF, TXT, or HTML file formats. |
Plan your site - Take some blank sheets of paper and sketch out a format for your site and each web page. Inventory you research and logically group your information into web pages. Start small and build with time.
Pick a web site provider. Free or paid? Free is recommended while the non-free option may run you $10-$30+ monthly not including your own domain (e.g. mydomain.com). sites.rootsweb.com is the most obvious first choice while others are available.
Use the links above to construct and publish your pages.