Session 9 - Website Building Tools 1

Blogger

If you are looking for a no fuss, simple website design, Blogger may be your answer. Most of you are already familiar with the tool through your Blogs, so using a familiar tool can be an advantage.

You create a website in the same way as you create a Blog, with the main difference being that you create Pages rather than Posts. Once you turn the Pages feature on, your Blog will look like a simple website.

Here's mine! Apologies for the banner image not being the correct size.


Online web builders

Once you have the basic layout done, you can decide which features to keep and which to turn off in regards to comments and sharing options.

Where does one start!! There are many, many players in the FREE online website building category. Most of them have similar functionality and allow you to create websites for free using drag and drop technology. No need to code and if you need more than what is provided for free, many of these have upgrade packages available at an extra cost.

Under a free account, the free tools will give you a set amount of space and access and allow you to host your website with them under a subdomain. Many of them also allow you to also link your website with a domain name and will offer a variety of hosting options.


Domain Vs Subdomain

You can create and resister your own domain name - lots of different packages available and cost can be as little as a few dollars.

The following links will give you information about domain names and how to register

https://www.business.gov.au/info/run/advertising-and-online/register-a-website-name
https://www.auda.org.au/

http://www.domainregistration.com.au/
https://www.crazydomains.com.au/
https://au.godaddy.com/

A domain name could be:
www.michelehardy.com.au

The same website as a subdomain might be:
www.michelehardy.wix.com
www.michelehardy.blogspot.com.au

Free online website builders

Here is my list!
Here are a couple of articles with some suggestions

http://au.pcmag.com/web-site-hosting-services-products/30863/guide/the-best-website-builders-of-2017

http://www.beautifullife.info/web-design/15-best-free-website-builders/

http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-website-builder

Wix

In regards to website builders, Wix is probably the most widely known. They do lots of marketing including TV ads.










You can also add apps - there are lots that are free.



Lots of help available - see links below


Wix Help Centre https://support.wix.com/en/?referral=MAD_site-home_userprofile

Wix YouTube Tutorials https://www.youtube.com/user/Wix

Weebly










Support Centre https://hc.weebly.com/hc/en-us

As you can see, while the interfaces may vary, all of these website builders have similar features and functions.

Activity 1

Choose 2 Website builders, join and use both, then compare the features of each. Report back to the class on what you liked and what you didn't like, what do you get for free, and whether you would use it for your assessment. You can use any of the ones on the list or any other of your choice.

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