Blog #9: How to create the perfect website & lol...OMG

When beginning a website, it can be very overwhelming. To start, find a template of your choice and create a domain name for your website address. The next step would be to pick a host. Wix or Weebly is preferred because they are two of the easier websites to use. Once you have selected your host, you need to select your domain. This means ".com" or ".net", but those are at an expense. Most hosts will have a free version that includes their name in the web address. After these steps, it is time to start creating pages on your website. Pages range for everyone depending on what their website is about, but most have an about, contact, or home page. If you are creating a personal page, consider including your resume, or any personal achievements. Maintaining your website is important depending on what you are using it for. If you are blogging every week, then you should be updating it along with the blogs, but if this is for personal use, consider updating it every couple of months. It is important to maintain your websites because this can be very powerful for students looking to build their resume and to look professional.

When using Wix, the first thing you need to do is sign up. There is a free plan available, but there are plans at a cost that allow you to do more. They can range from $5 to $35 per month. Select a template that will benefit the look you are searching for. After selecting the template, you can begin editing over their template to customize it the way you want. You can even edit the background photo. It is important to save your work by pressing the save button, so you do not lose it. If you think your website is going to look plain, then you should consider adding some of their apps. On the apps they have a thumbnail that allows you to see which ones accommodate the free and premium plans. Wix even allows you the opportunity to add your blogs into the website. If you are creating your website to sell items, there is a tab for you to create a form of payment and to create coupons. Once you think your website is complete, in the top right hand corner, there is a publish button that allows you to share your work.

It is important when creating your website for it to be user friendly. Over eighty percent of people who struggle on a website will not return. When selecting the design or layout of your website consider how other people will see your website. Anyone can create a website, but not everyone can create a good website. When someone approaches your website it should be a seamless experience. Every second that a person has to wait on your website discourages them. Forty-eight percent of people expect to wait two seconds for a page to load. If pictures or attachments do not load quickly, people will no longer visit your website. Typically, people scan the page looking for keywords, or things that will stick out to them. By keeping it short, simple, and clean people will revisit your website. If people can not find what they are looking for, they will leave right away, so avoid unnecessary content. Creating a page for feedback can allow you the opportunity to hear what people like and don't like about your site. It is important to listen and hear what others have to say, so you can help enhance your website.

In class this week, we learned how to create websites, what we should include, and which websites have the easiest templates to use. When adding your social media sites, email, or blog, always check to make sure they open. If a user attempts to open your page and it says unavailable, this is not a good reflection of you. Having a good configuration is important as well because you want the users to be able to access your content without an issue. By avoiding bright colors and flashy fonts, your website can remain professional.

Chapter 10 of lol OMG provides important questions you should ask yourself when sharing your life online. "Who do you want to be online?" Sometimes the things you post will not reflect the real you. Posts can be taken literally even when you think you are joking. There are a few steps you should process before your actions can't be revoked. You want to make sure you are treating people the way you would want to be treated and you want to consider that the way you are treating others is the way that they want to be treated. Everyone has different interpretations and others may not agree with you or your posts. You also have to consider that what you post does not affect their online reputation. Things you share as a child on social media can affect you years from then. Other things you should consider are: Are you breaking a law? Is this ethical? Would you say what you posted to someone in person? Are you doing this because your emotional? Do you want the whole world to see this? Can this be misinterpreted? All of these are valid questions that you should take into consideration before posting. The internet is dangerous and once it is out, it is out for everyone to see forever and can ruin your reputation before it even begins.

When the internet was first created, everyone was extremely skeptical and wary of using it. They were afraid that there were people that were going to steal their identity, information, and that there were sketchy people on chat rooms. Since then, people use the internet to shop, bank, for social media, and more. The internet had a rough start, but now it is not even something that we really question. In chapter 11 of lol...OMG, it has shown what we should avoid and understand. We have to embrace the change and see the potential consequences that may occur. The impression we leave on the internet can deeply affect you in your life. You should always treat others with respect in person and online.