Step 1: Domain Name and Website Hosting
The first thing to do is to decide on a domain name (i.e., www.yourname.com) and find a web host (a virtual landlord of sorts to rent web space to you, so that your website can be published on the internet.) You can accomplish both at MyCreatingOnline.com, my own website hosting service which costs only $6.99 per month and comes with a free domain name ($18 value.) At MyCreatingOnline, you will be able to search domain names to see if the one you want is available. It also comes with a free online website builder, which is ideal for beginners, as the wizard-like format makes it extremely easy for you to create an attractive, professional-looking website in no time and with no special skills, knowledge, or experience required. With an easy click of a button, you can then publish your website, so that it will be live and viewable by the general public. It also provides you with free domain email (yourname@yoursite.com). BONUS: I'll be your "landlord", so you know help will always be just an email away.

Step 2: Get Listed with the Search Engines
Once your site has been created and published to the internet, the next most important thing you'll need to do is "submit it" to the search engines. This means going to a search engine, such as Google.com, locating their "Add URL" page, filling out a form that includes your web address (http://www.yoursite.com), your email address, and some keywords and phrases relevant to your site that internet surfers might use to search for a site such as yours. I've done all the legwork for you and created a list of direct links to all of the most popular search engine submission pages that allow you to submit for free. If you'd like to learn more about the search engine submission process, view the FAQ located on this page.

Step 3: Ways to Get Visitors to Your Website
Visit my Site Promotion Tips section to get dozens of ideas for ways to get your website noticed, all of which I myself have used with much success, and all of which are absolutely free.

That's really all there is to it to be able to have your very own website. Once you've accomplished the above and are feeling a little ambitious and interested in adding things to your website and maybe even selling online, visit the Webmaster Section of my site.

If you are a beginner, have followed the steps above, and have successfully designed and published your own website, I would love to see it. I truly enjoy knowing that I've been able to help someone accomplish their dreams of getting online, so please email me with a link to your website when it's up and running. I'd be happy to offer constructive criticism and make suggestions.

- Pam Roth
  Creating Online, LLC