HTML

HTML stands for hypertext mark up language. It's a series of different tags of computer langauges in a document that the internet reads and makes pictures out of it. Everything you see on the internet is made from HTML. It is used the same way that we use English to speak to each other, only the Internet communicates with HTML.

Text Editors

To start making a website, an dusing HTML you need an editor. For beginners, using a program like Dreamweaver will make websites for you, and taking a look at the actual HTML for all the pages you put together will help you learn a great deal. Also, on most webhosts you have advanced editors that can help you to put the site together. If you'd rather not use that, you can use notepad. A blank document where you can code everything yourself!

Webspace

Finding a webhost can be a lot of work. Getting the right space, domain names, and the right features for what you plan on doing on your website. When starting out, a good idea would be to get a a free website on Freewebs. There will be ads, but it is a perfect way to keep up a website and learn HTML slowly. If not, you will have to buy space, which can get expensive. Set up fees, domain and space add up, especially when you don't know what you're doing. I recommend setting it up somwhere free first.

Where to find free webspace
Yahoo/Geocities
Tripod
Angelfire

Graphics

Graphics are one of the most important part of a website. The nicer, cleaner graphics the easier it is to keep visitors. People like to look at nice looking things. Graphics can be made on anything from MS Paint to Adobe Photoshop. A free program to download would be GIMP. Try it, it's free!

Programs to make your own graphics
Paint Shop Pro
GIMP
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Jasc Animation Shop

Creativity

THE most important thing on a website is creativity. Do not steal other peoples work, make your own, and make something original! This cannot be stressed enough, the more original your work, the more visitors will come to see it.