To register a domain name, contact a domain name registrar to register one on your behalf. Many web hosting companies can also register domain names. The domain name for your web site can be whatever you like, as long as it's not already registered by someone else . Once you've registered a domain name, it's on to step 2!

Step 2: Purchase web hosting

So you've registered a domain name that is uniquely yours. What happens now when someone types your domain name into their browser? Your computer will consult the directory to find which computer on the internet is storing the files for your web site. But they aren't stored anywhere yet, because you haven't yet signed up for a web host! Companies that sell space on their server for you to store your web site files are called web hosts. When choosing a web host, look for one that features reliable servers with fast, redundant connections and good customer support.

Step 3: Create website files

This step involves creating the actual files that will make up your web page. This includes HTML files, image files, video clips, or whatever other content you want on your page. Files are usually created and edited locally on your computer using a web design program such as Homesite or Macromedia Dreamweaver. These programs will allow you to build a web page in an interface not much different than Microsoft Word. You can also use these programs to add media such as pictures or video to your web pages.

Step 4: Upload files to web host's server

After you've created the files for your web page on your computer, you need to get them onto your web host's server so that they can be accessed through the internet. This is usually accomplished through functionality built into your web design program or using an FTP client, such as cuteFTP or WS_FTP. Once your files are on the server, your page is instantly available to the entire world!

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