Create a Web Page with MS-Word

Did you know that you can create your very own Web page using MS Word? Well, you surely can and it's pretty easy to do too! If you're looking to make a real simple and laid back Web page, Word is the way to go. Also, if you want to practice making pages, this is a good starting tool to use.

Introduction

If you prefer to design your own Web page without the help from Word's Web Page Wizard, you can use Word's formatting tools to assign styles, create headings and add body text to your page. You can easily add lists and graphics as well. When you're finished, you can save your page and even post on the Web if you'd like. If you're confused already, don't worry, we're going to cover all of this right now!

Follow the steps below to create your own Web page:

1. Open Microsoft Word and click New from the File menu. This opens the New dialogue box.
   
2. Select the Web page option. Word will open a blank Web page in your program window.
   
3. Select a Heading Style. To enter a heading for your Web page, click the Styles and Formatting drop down list on the Format toolbar and choose a heading style, such as Heading 1 or Heading 2. Heading styles range in sizes from large to small.
   
4. Type in the Heading Text you'd like to add. If you're creating a personal Web page, for example, you might type "Welcome to My Page." If you're creating a company Web page, you'll probably want to type the company name instead.
   
5. Continue selecting the different styles you want to use and type in all the text you want. If you're creating a personal Web page, you might want to include information about yourself or if it's a company Web page, you'll want to insert information about the company. You can format the text any way you'd like, such as changing fonts, increasing font sizes and much more. You can also add pictures from the Insert menu, Picture option. Just play around with the different menus to create the style you're looking for.
   
6. When you're finished, be sure to save your work with the Save as Type option. Make sure you choose the Web page(*.htm;*.html) choice.

That's it! Your Web page is now ready. You can always go back and change things around as you get more material, more pictures, etc. Just make sure you save your work after each time. Now, you may be asking how you can upload your newly designed page to the World Wide Web for all to see. Let's go over a couple of scenarios for this first.

Scenario 1:

You've created a Web page using the above steps. Now, what should you do to upload your files on to the Web?

At this point, construction of your homepage is complete, but your page still resides on your computer, not on the Internet. You are now ready to publish your page on the World Wide Web. To do this, you will need to copy your page from your computer's hard drive to a Web server.

The Internet Service Provider (ISP) that you use for Internet access might provide free Web hosting to its customers. Many do. You'll just have to check with them to see if they do. If not, there are a number of companies that will provide server space at no charge. (For example, http://www.geocities.com). You will, however, be required to include a banner or icon somewhere on your page to promote the free hosting service or their sponsors.

Alternatively, there are many professional Web hosting companies that offer inexpensive hosting packages with advanced features for under $10 per month.

When you register for Web hosting services, you will be sent instructions on how to upload files to the Web server (your Web page). The Web host will also provide you with a user ID and password so that other people can't access or alter your files.

There are also many Web space providers who will sell you space on their servers. Prices will range from as little as $1 per month and up to $100 per month or more. This all just depends upon your needs. Non-virtual Web space is typically the cheapest, offering a URL like: http://www.some-provider.com/yourname/. For a little more, plus the cost of registering a domain name, you can get virtual Web space, which will allow you to have a URL like: http://www.yourname.com/.

Scenario 2:

You have your own website and would like to know the steps to upload the .html files you've created. No problem!

If you have a domain name of your own (http://www.yourname.com), you would have been provided with a user ID and password and the instructions to upload the files. Uploading files can also be done using FTP (File Transfer Protocols) software like CuteFTP, AutoFTP Pro, etc.

If you have a non-virtual Web space (http://www.some-provider.com/yourname/), the files can be uploaded using the File Manager menu, where you will get the command button Upload. This, in turn, requests that you select the path where the .html files are located.

NOTE: The above mentioned www.some-provider.com can be www.geocities.com, for example. Sites like that allow you to create your own website for free. Also, the above mentioned File Manager menu and the Upload option are applicable for the geocities website and though similar, might not be the same for other Web sites that provide free Web space.

Once you figure out everything that will work the best for your Web page, you can create more pages and turn your one page into a whole website!