This happens to be one of the few skills I excel at, Web Design. In case you never were a technological guru, there are places called websites on the internet. For a matter of fact, this place is a website. Anyhow, websites have an appearance or design that is suppose to intrigue the user while providing an organized layout at the same time. That's exactly what web design is. Web Design is the art of creating a site and perfecting it so that it provides content, and an awe to the eye at the same time. In order to be a good web designer, you must be able to follow a few key steps.

Getting a Headstart
Before you can go out and start making websites like professionals, you must learn the basics. First of all, get use to the internet. Without it, there is no website. Secondly, become familiar with computers and get comfortable with using them on a daily basis. You can't just conjure up a design when you feel like it. You have to take out time and effort to plan it all out. In the following paragraphs, I'm going to explain what you are going to need and also what you need to learn. In a nutshell, websites are made through a language called HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Through this language, the computer processes the information and displays it into a browser. Thus, visitors see the actual translated material, not the acual typed code. In order to get started with designing web sites, you must follow some basic steps:

• Learn HTML - Without learning HTML, you are nothing. You will have no way of communicating to the computer. Go out to Barnes & Noble, buy a book for beginners, and then start from there. There are also a plethora of tutorials out there on the internet to teach you. I'm going to be quite frank, HTML is an easy language compared to computer gaming languages. It should take you about two months or so to get a good feel for HTML before you can get comfortable with using it.
• Get an HTML editor - An HTML editor is a program that helps you make websites a lot quicker. Rather than typing a website out in notepad tag for tag, you can simply use an editor and save 80% of that time. Although I said you must learn HTML, you really should. One way or another, HTML is the only true way of learning how to make a website.
• Get a free host - Yup, that's exactly what I did. This site is hosted by a company that hosts free websites. There are tons of free website hosts out there, it just comes down to what you need and what you want. Most free hosts will offer free hosting only if you use their banners, advertisements, popups, etc all over your site. That's why you may see popups occasionally on my site from time to time. That's how the free hosts pay for servers, through paid advertising. Anyhow, find a host that offers only what you NEED. Don't go out and look for someone who has tons of options, because half the time you aren't going to use them.
• Plan out the design - Using a blank sheet of computer paper, draw out what you want your site to look like. Before every site I have ever made, I've taken a ruler and drawn a complete template as to what I want it to look like. Then, I take that design and redraw it into the web editor program. Basically, I take what I imagine and put it into real life. Always plan out a site before making a design, otherwise, you won't have any provisions or guidelines.
• Seek Advice - Many people out there are willing to help you with your site if you're willing to take out the time and dedication. If you need more help with designing a site, ask me. I've been experienced with websites for over six years now.