Build the Website

Home

Introduction

Find an ISP

Find a Host

Build the Website

Hardware & More

Decide on a Name

Review your Site

Watch the Statistics

Surf the Web

Do it yourself

If you're not afraid to dive into website development, there are lots of resources to help you.

Tools

Ask a hundred web developers how they create web pages and you're likely to get a hundred different answers. The most important thing to remember is that there is nothing magical about HTML. It all comes down to a simple text file. You can even use your word processing software.

For a list of HTML editing tools, try Yahoo

Graphics

The U.S. Government's web portal, http://firstgov.gov/, hosts a library of pictures and graphics: http://firstgov.gov/Topics/Graphics.shtml

Find A Volunteer

Ask around in your organization. Someone may be a budding web manager without your even knowing it. Many people have experience putting pages together.
Contact your local high school or community college. Students may be willing to create your website for community service credits or a nice line on their resume.
Network for Good
http://www.networkforgood.org/
This organization can also help recruit volunteers.
CharityFocus
http://www.charityfocus.org/
This volunteer-run organization will work with you step-by-step in designing a website. After they've accepted your application, they'll assign a team to work with you on everything you need to get a basic website up and running.

If you use a volunteer to build your site, make sure you have access to all passwords and have your volunteer show you how to make updates to the website and post them yourself.

Use the Web Clinic Wizard

Download the latest version of the software from HUD's website: http://www.hud.gov/library/bookshelf11/webclinics/alumni/
(See your packet for password.)

Style Guides/Advice

No matter how you initially create your site, you should write down your standards and conventions. This will help you with future updates, and also serve as a guide to anyone who works on your website in the future. At a minimum, document basics such as the size, typeface and color of font you use on your site. It is also helpful to develop a sample template that you can give to people, so they can "fill in the blanks" when creating a new page.

If you decide to create your own pages, we offer help on how your pages should look:

Webcontent.gov - the practical guide to managing U.S. Government websites. http://www.webcontent.gov/
Things you need to know including: federal website requirements, web policies, common content practices, staffing and governance issues, website design and usability, and performance measures. Also has style guide examples from several government agencies: http://www.firstgov.gov/webcontent/resources/style_guides.shtml
You can also find HUD's web style guide and many other web-related documents in our library on Bookshelf 11. http://www.hud.gov/library/bookshelf11/

Technical Resources

Webmonkey
http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/
Webmonkey can be a great source for information on the web. From introductory pieces (like the beginner's guide to HTML to a conversation on Photoshop and domain names, Webmonkey can be a terrific resource.