Jeff Siarto, the new co-author of Head First Web Design
(and my boyfriend), shares the best resources for creating or improving your blog, online portfolio or personal website. Listen to the podcast and check out the links below.
Start a Basic Blog
Although there are many blogging options, we recommend Wordpress.com. It’s free to start a blog using yourblogname.wordpress.com.
Create a Custom URL
To create a custom URL, such as yourblogname.com, you must buy a domain name. These typically run from $10 to $40 per year, although you should generally pay no more than $15 per year for a .com, .net or .org domain. Check out Namecheap or GoDaddy to get started, or look at ICANN’s complete list of accredited registrars.
You can map the domain name to your Wordpress blog for $10 per year. For more on this, read Domain Registration and Mapping on Wordpress.com
We also recommend using a WHOIS Guard-type service to protect your privacy. Namecheap offers a free year with new domain name registrations.
Host Your Own Site
Although free hosting may be a good place to start for those on a budget, there are some limitations. For more control and features, higher bandwidth, no ads and more storage space, you might opt to host your own site for. Expect to pay around $100-$200 per year for good hosting (we recommend Dreamhost).
Create an Online Portfolio
If you’re looking to go into a creative field, an online portfolio is a must. If you don’t have any experience with web design and don’t have the budget to hire someone to do it for you, check out Squarespace. This service lets users create custom websites without any programming knowledge.
Consider your blog or online portfolio an investment in yourself. Ultimately, the more professional your web presence, the more impressed your potential employer will be. This could make all the difference when it comes time to look for a job.
Stephanie Russell
1. Awesome post. I can hear, see and read about the ways to create a professional-looking website. Getting an email from you is one thing, experiencing this post with you and your nerdy boyfriend is another.
2. Going to buy Jeff’s book with this month’s paycheck. It better be good. I have several CSS and Web design books where I couldn’t get past the first page. Here’s hoping for lots of pictures.
3. Checking out Squarespace as soon as possible. Looks amazing.
4. I think you might have said Jeff is your boyfriend a bazillion times. Wait…is he your boyfriend? Boyfriend, right? Just want to make sure
5. Thanks for this post. Seriously. It’s exactly what people like me need. Designers without much web experience who would love to make a website and know how to do everything but set it all up. Sweet.
Allie Osmar
So glad you liked it. He’s a good resource to have around…my boyfriend that is. Did I tell you Jeff is my boyfriend?