As an artist, this is my favorite part of creating websites - finding a way to create a website design that becomes a good "frame" for the "picture" that is their unique and special business or art.

As I mentioned in the video at the beginning of this program, I knew that websites were created with a special kind of computer coding, and that seemed just way out of my league or interest. But I have many times since thanked that uncooperative web guy for being such a pain because it made me try something that I discovered I could do - and could enjoy doing.

Without getting into a lot of complicated explanations, websites are created with a basic code called HTML. There are also other kinds of codes used to do all kinds of interesting things in websites these days, but the basic code is HTML or some variation thereof.

To introduce you to this code, move your mouse over into the blue background of this website, then right click. In the window that comes up, look for the link that says "View Source" and click on that.

It will bring up a Notepad window that will show you what basic HTML code looks like. If this is the first time you have seen computer coding, it will probably look like so much goobledeegook to you. That's okay - you don't need to know anything more than that unless you want to.

I just wanted you to see what it is that creates the websites you see. There are all kinds of programs now where you can create your own websites without knowing any code at all. And if you are a computer literate sort of person who enjoys learning that, by all means go ahead and explore that.

What I want to do in this module on Website Design is take you through some of the things that you need to consider as you plan for your website. Things like what pages need to be part of your website, what colors do you want, what kind of pictures or graphics you want, what links need to be included, and some tips about text on websites, etc.

So head on over to the first section on design.

PS. Just a reminder - if you find questions coming to mind as you go through this program, here's a couple of options.

First of all, write them down in your workbook. Then check to see if they might be in one of the sections in the Dashboard. Also check the FAQS list at the end. If you don't find your answer anywhere, then please go back to the "Ask Your Questions" page (1-2) at the beginning of the Dashboard and send me whatever questions you have.

This will very likely be a work-in-progress, with new information being added along the way. It might just be that your question will be one that I think others might want to know the answer to as well. In that case, I'll either update the page it would belong to, or add it to the FAQs page.

I would like to say that Evelyn has recently made a website for me that I am quite delighted with. Not knowing much about computers she has helped me a great deal with putting it all together. She has been very understanding, and a good person to work with. I would certainly recommend her to anyone. I am sure when anyone looks at my website they will check out who made it. - Paula Hawkes, Equine & Portrait Artist, Paula Hawkes