smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Cancel Christmas?

Some of you are probably wondering whether you should cancel...
Have your say »

RSS

Q: Where can I find out how to design and build a website? I think I need to learn about HTML code but I don’t really understand what it is or know where to start.

Nov 19 2007

Answered by: Chris Lindsay Ask a question

Gone are the days when you had to learn and write html code in order to build a website yourself. There are now a wide range of tools available off the shelf or as part of a business broadband package that provide an extremely simple route to building a high-quality website.

Using a range of templates, these easy-to-use tools require no technical skills or training, and will allow you to create a professional site that fits with your company’s brand.

BT offers a fully functional website and domain name for only £5 per month (ex VAT), which provides the latest drag and drop tools that make getting started as easy as possible.

Comments [1]

Comment by Dean Morgan

Monday 4th February 2008

I disagree with the drag and drop programs on offer. They are fine for a hobby site or personal site, but for anyone wanting to make a go of their business, it is extremely important to have a professionally designed website, conforming to web standards and accessibility laws. Web designers and developers are specialists in making sure websites are accessible, legal and do their job.

What good is a website if it can't be found or makes your company look bad? If you MUST do your own website, I recommend you read up a bit on web standards and use the online validating tools at the World Wide Web Consortium (www.w3.org) to check your sites code. By all means use a drag and drop program, but make sure you know what you are doing first, and clean up the messy code that it leaves behind.

Report this comment

Prize Draw

Free prize draw!

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Avery® Quick&Clean™ Business Cards to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a copy of BBC Dragons' Den James Caan's new book The Real Deal and a pack of Avery® premium heavyweight business cards. To enter the prize draw, simply answer our question here

Polls

Q & A

Starts ups expert

Ashley de Safrin, Business Link in London Ask a question

Business technology issues

Chris Lindsay, BT Ask a question

News

smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Going green 'can save money'

Businesses can save money by employing greener methods, but it requires some investment upfront which may put firms off.

Social networking 'important for businesses'

Social networking sites should not be seen as an 'add on' as they are an important communication tool for businesses, according to an expert.

Digital Britain is 'essential for businesses'

While the government battles the economy, Gordon Brown says it must also aid small businesses in improving technology to be 'innovative, prosperous and productive' in the future.

Small businesses 'may fall foul of internet'

The internet can be a 'legal minefield' for small businesses and many may not be aware of how to comply with the law, according to an expert.

SMBs 'lack knowledge of VoIP'

Many small businesses do not implement voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services as they fear they may not understand it, says a source.

Europe-wide broadband 'essential for economic growth'

The European Commission (EC) is investigating the potential for all of Europe's businesses and consumers to have high-speed internet by 2010.

Embracing green policies 'can save businesses money'

Small and medium-sized businesses can save a substantial amount of money by keeping up to date with the latest environmental regulations, it has been claimed.

Unmonitored laptops 'could cause fraud'

The increasing use of transportable devices like laptops, memory sticks and mobile phones presents a risk to businesses and their customers.

Technology means employees lose out on holidays

Many people take mobile phones or wireless devices on holiday to keep in touch with the office, according to new research.

Inability to edit docs 'a disadvantage for iPhone'

The fact that it is not possible to edit documents on the iPhone gives it a 'massive' disadvantage compared to its business rival, according to a technical expert.

UK SMEs 'more open to green IT'

Small businesses in the UK are more open to environmentally-friendly IT than their global counterparts, research finds.

Guides & Tips

Hosting in a recession

As the global economy staggers from crisis to crisis small businesses face the dilemma of having to control costs while also ensuring they remain competitive.

Automated hacking

What do the Sony Playstation game ‘SingStar Pop’ and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have in common?

Make your website a success

Having a well designed website can be crucial to the success of your business. Here are some top tips on how to secure your visitors interest and get ahead on the web, from SmallBusiness.co.uk and Bea Hatherley, co-founder and director of online specialist Mr Site.

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.