Building my first website????

So, if you have everything set up (hosting and domain), you now have to start developing your site.

You can go for a Squeeze Page, but for that domain (magazine) I think that a blog fits better. You should install Wordpress (there should be an automatic script installer at your CPanel account. Use it to install Wordpress if you don't know how to install manually). After installing Wordpress, search for some good free theme (or pay for one, if you are willing to) and install it.

You should also install the basic plugins (search and you'll find the ones that you need to install).

After you have everything, you have to write some content and start promoting your site.

There are plenty of different ways to promote a website, both free and paid.

You've came to the right place to find for information. Just navigate around and you'll find everything you need.

Good Luck!

You definitely need to have a CMS system that you find easy to use so that you don't get bogged down with too much technical stuff and can concentrate on creating your content.

I personally prefer Joomla for all my sites since it is scalable from a blogg site up to a huge enteprise site. Amongst other things, you can set modules to show up on specific pages too which will help with very targeted marketing campaigns.

I also recently found this great free browser toolbar that has some great information finding links built in. I can't post links here yet but it is at: SerotoninInspiration [dot] OurToolbar [dot] com.
I use the Inspiration menu to find trends, similar sites and demographic info before I spend the time to write the content. They seem to be expanding the toobar every few days so there might be some other links that suite you better. You have to find the hungry fish before you bait your fishing rod appropriately. The content on your site needs to speak to specific people so you need to research who they are and what it is they are looking for THEN provide them with the relevant content. Think about what your visitors are going to do on your site. Will they read, interact, purchase etc. Then craft the user experience or user journey.

GoDaddy has scripts to install the cms you choose. From there find a nice template and start producing your content based on your research. Remember that with cms's, the template can be changed with a few clicks of your mouse but your content is king.

Good Luck!!

I would say you have no business managing this guy's stuff LOL i guess he can't afford a real developer????

if u use phpfusion more easy and beutiful...

Great resource sharing.. Thanks dear.

*** ONLY MY OPINION ***

I will recommend you using Joomla first and then Wordpress.

Joomla in my personal opinion is more flexible on the Template Customization than Wordpress and both of these CMS Systems are good in the SEO if you know how to appropriate install everything.

Wordpress will be better on the SEO out of the box but Joomla can reach Wordpress very quickly if you know how to do SEO things.

Wordpress is an excellent blogging tool and that is how I see it.

I would not recommend Joomla to a newbie. It is only end user friendly if you are an experienced web designer.
If someone has to ask "what is a CMS?" then Joomla is wrong for them because the learning curve is too great.
I would recommend WordPress to a newbie because its admin backend is simple, straightforward and they will have a very professional looking website that they can manage themselves in a short space of time.

yeap. I'm suggesting you to use Wordpress to build your site. After that, you can work on SEO to bring more traffic.

great suggestions above....use Wordpress!! then add plugins to make it your own..

its all come down to you what you want?? thats what you need to decide..

wordpress, Joomla or Drupal or static website CMS all comes next..

jas

to build any site you can use j2ee, or .net. I've used j2ee for a travel agency website.

jthenery55

I have been using Cpanel for a bit, and at first I used the RVsitebuilder in programs section. It takes time if you have a slow connection.
Building a basic site can be as simple as creating a document on open office, then uploading it. I tried many different platforms, figure out ONE IDE (Intergrated Development Enviornment) and learn how to tweak your site as much as possible.
I can rembember when I first started learning about sites, and it can be hard, just stick to it.
It looks like you have a database installed, no index. I know CPanel has Video tutorials, (so does RV sitebuilder).
I now think I will try to install a blog, or Joomla on my site, I have before (Word press, through Fantastico), I just did not take the time to refine it.
Dont Give up!!!!

If you comprise the compulsory knowledge to design a website by keeping SEO principles into mind, you will be winning. Give consequence of content too.

There has been a lot of advice given here. Some good and some not so good. I have been thru the same dilemma and I can tell you from that experience that information overload is very real for a newb trying to learn this IM stuff. There are too many directions that can take you into the twilight zone.

I have used WP and have actually built two sites with it and found that it was a fairly simple process once you pick up on the lingo.


IMHO
It is real obvious that jthenry55 is at the same point that I was and wouldnt be here asking for advice is he understood fully what he was doing. With that being said I think that the question would be "What would be the easiest route for someone that dosent know what CMS means, to take to accomplish his end goal?"

I would definitely recommend to go with wordpress unless they have the time for a major learning curve.

Learn the basics. You need the basics before you learn the cool stuff.

Good luck to you. I would throw a vote in for Wordpress. I have only moderate knowledge of Dreamweaver and HTML and it took me about 1/3 of the time to build a webpage with Wordpress than with html and finding php code online.

Gary223 is right though, without the basics of html you won't be able to go into the code to tweak add-ons and templates easily. Just follow the instructions on how to install wordpress and let GOOGLE help you along the way, just make sure to get started.

Everytime you are stuck google it or come back here for help. =)

If you have the knowledge to design a website keeping in mind the SEO standards, you will be successful. Give the importance of content as well.

If you are doing it for the first time, then you should take the assistance of a professional and skilled website designer. He should possess necessary knowledge.

If I were you, you really need to have someone to help you as this moment because your problem really needs technical basis and very lengthy sessions for tutorials and everything. Not only the site can give you benefits but the most important thing is how you will promote it to make money online.

So much advice can be overwhelming eh?

I suggest Wordpress just as so many good folks have suggested to you thus far. If you check out the website in my sig, there are several Wordpress videos on that site that should get you going.

Good Luck!

I would advise you to get a freelancer to help you, it does not cost much but can be great for the website!