Build a Simple Website
I've recently upgraded my website building system: la-plume Micro CMS. It's free. You can use it to build your own website without any IT skills or technical knowledge. All you need is a domain name, some web space, and off you go.
la.plume is a content management system (or CMS). You don't build web pages on your computer. You login to your personal admin page and create web pages online, from any computer. The steps involved in building your own website are as follows:
- (1) Buy a domain name – typically £10 per year.
- (2) Buy some web space* – typically £50 per year.
- (3) Point your domain name at your web space.
- (4) Install la.plume on your web space (easy).
- (5) Start writing web pages on your own website.
It's even easier if you buy your domain name and web space from the same provider: they will automatically point the domain at your web space for you. You will then need a way to upload the website building system: either with an FTP client program or using the control panel you normally receive with your web space. Once this is done, you can forget about it and just build your website.
Your own website, built by you
Using la.plume your web pages will be smart, fast, and compliant with recognised web standards. You don't need to know any HTML 'markup' or how to write the CSS stylesheet that gives your website its 'look'. However, my system allows you to write your own markup and edit the stylesheet remotely if you want to. You can also add your own images and photos with the system's online uploader.
It could hardly be simpler. There's a help page, an HTML guide, and how to install. If you'd prefer not to bother installing la.plume yourself I can probably do it for you. Feel free to contact me and I'll see if I can help. Around £50 to install if you've done steps (1) (2) and (3) above. As mentioned, the system itself is free.
*Note: the web space must run Apache web server, be Linux based, enable PHP scripting and allow an .htaccess file to be used and edited. Check these things first with your intended provider as I cannot be responsible for your web space (no database is required as la.plume stores content in text files). For the record, I use network-eq (UK) and Kualo – I've found both to be helpful, reliable, and value for money.
