Open Composer to Blank Page
You need to open your Netscape Communicator program and then open Composer.  There are a number of ways to open it including, clicking on the composer icon on the toolbar at the bottom of your communicator(it's the last one on the right), or on the top menu, click on file, then click on New, then click on Blank Page. (You can also click on Communicator on the top menu then click on Composer).

Save Your Page
There is nothing more frustrating that getting to the last line of your page...and then having your page crash on you before you save it. uggggh!!!  I've been there, done that many times.  So here's a good suggestion.  Save your page before you begin and hit the save button on occasion as you're working through the page (especially if you've just don't something complicated).  A few things to remember,

• Create a new folder for your webpage so you can keep all the files together in one place.  How?  One easy way is to go to the top menu and click on file, then click on Save As, then find the place where you want to put the file.  You can put it pretty much anywhere you want to, but you need to put it someplace where you will remember where it is.  Then Right Click in the large window in the middle and click on New, then Folder.  Then name your folder memorably.
• by the way, save this page as index.html or index.htm 

Format Your Page
I know you want to start typing, but first there are some important behind the scenes things you should do (before you forget). On the Menu at the top, click on Format then click on Page Colors and Properties.

General Tab -- You will see a place to Title your page.  Come up with a good title.  This will be displayed on the top of your webpage.  When someone bookmarks your page, this is what the bookmark will say, if a search engine lists your page, this is what the title will be there as well.  So choose your title well.....I have a whole bunch of bookmarks that say "Untitled page", I don't think that's such a good thing. 

There is also a place to put your name (Author), and a place for you to describe your site (Description).  Many search engines use this for the description when they list your page.  So try to make it intriguing.  If someone sees 20 pages about the same topic, make sure that yours is one that they choose to look at.  A good description will be a big help.

Probably the most important thing I can tell you is that you need to fill out your Keywords:  Many of the search engines and directories will use these keywords when it classifies your site.  If you want people to find your website, don't skimp on your keywords.  There is an art to doing this well.  I'll try to give some more instructions later how to refine your keywords, but for now, just come up with 40 words or so separated by commas that describe your site (yes you can use short descriptive phrases too).  Ask yourself these questions, "If I were looking for the information on this site, what words would I use to search for it".  "If I were to describe my site, what words would I use?"I know this seems tedious, but it really is important.  Don't forget to do it.

You can also gives suggestions of how to classify your site (Classification).  What kind of site do you have?  In what categories might it fit in a directory that is organized by topics?  Give some suggestions.

Then click on Apply to save your work. Then click on the Colors and Backgrounds tab.

Colors and Backgrounds Tab --

Here you choose the colors you want to use for your page.  You will notice that there are preset options (Color Schemes) and there is also the option of creating your own color scheme, by choosing colors in each category (Normal Text, Link Text, Active Link Text, Followed Link Text, and Background).  As you begin, you may have some fun mixing and matching colors.  Here are a few important things to remember though:

• Make sure that you choose color combinations that are easy to read (very bright colors tend to be difficult to read, some color combinations don't go together well, very light colors on a light background don't show up well).
• If you are able, check your page colors on several different browsers (at least Internet Explorer and Netscape) to see how they turn out.  You will find that colors look different in the various browsers (and even in different versions of the same browser).  You will also find out that Macs see things differently. While they use Internet Explorer, America Online (a large number of your viewers) interprets things differently and it is good to check out your page on one of their browsers too (You probably know somebody who is on AOL, just invite yourself over to show them your web page.)  Then there are Web-TV viewers and other things to think about too.... but hey... you're just getting started.  Have some fun and choose what looks good to you. (You will quickly learn that one of the big frustrations of being a web designer is that you get something to look good on your computer, and then see it on another computer and it looks completely different...yuk... welcome to the browser wars!)
• Also notice, that most professional websites have a color scheme that runs through the whole site...instead of each page being a different color....hint, hint.....

Well, when you've got a color combination you like, click on apply and close.  If you change your mind, feel free to go back and change it anytime.

O.K.  Now, let put the page together!

Index Page 101
 
 
 
 
 

Download Netscape Communicator
Download Paint Shop Pro

Creating Your Index Page
 

Introduction:  Do You have a Ministry Website yet?
Step One: Defining Your Purpose: The Key to a meaningful website.
Step Two: Smooth Sailing: Designing Your Site for Easy Navigation
Step Three: Tool Time:  HTML Editors and other software to get you started.
Step Four: Creating Your Index Page.
Step Five: Index Page 101: Getting the Text on the Page
 

Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood
Faith Alliance Church
New Hope Ministries

Created with the CoffeeCup HTML Editor++