Like they say in Field of Dreams "if you build it they will come" .. Right?!?! Well don't buy it. It's easy to get a web site up and running, but getting traffic is another thing and earning any money off of it is another. They go hand in hand.

This is my web site 101 class. I try and give you all the basic things you need here to get a site up, running getting traffic and making some revenue. If you just want to put a web site up with family pictures, then you'll probably just use the free website hosting information.

I'll warn you now that this site does not include everything. Although I try to compile a lot of information in one location, and provide links to even more information, you may try a Google search if you want additional resources. I will put some key word under each link as search suggestions.

Free Web Site Hosting
Step 1 Getting a place to host your site
I have used a lot of free web servers before, so I have some experience with various providers. My listing also includes a few vendors I have not used before, but if that is the case, I'll let you know. I list FREE web hosting services along with some cheap services in case you want things like no ads, fast response time and sometimes just those little extras that are nice. (I'll list the cheap services last). The free hosting companies are just that. Free. These are not free trials. When you search the web for free web hosting, you often get a list of people that say they are free, but they really just are offering free trials or part of the service is free.

My List will compare free services and provide information such as space, type of adds, limitations and services (like are Front Page Server Extensions available).

If you are going to put a lot of effort into building your on-line brand, I would recommend splurging and registering your own domain name. You can do this for less than $10. The cheapest service, and in my opinion the best value, for registering a  domain name is godaddy.

Suggested Google Search for additional resources: Free web hosting, Free Web Site
 

Search Engine Registration and Tips to Increase Ranking
Step 2 Start Getting people to your site
You could easily argue that this process begins before Step 1, because some of your site design helps your position with the various Search Engines. You can pay someone to help you optimize your site, but that can cost a lot of money. Why not research some of this information here, I'll give you links to submit your site to the search engines for free and I'll give you some other tips to help get traffic to your site.

Suggested Google Search for additional resources: Search Engine Registration, Search Engine Submission, Search Engine Optimization, PageRank
 

Advertising Programs
Step 2 Continued - More Ways to Drive People to Your Site
OK, so advertising programs aren't free, although you can get a lot of free advertising. I will tell you how to get some free advertising, but I have a few commercial sites and even own a franchise or two so I am experienced with getting traffic to sites with some of the major web advertisers. I'll give you an overview of some of the the on-line advertisers like Google's adWords, Overture and Citysearch.

Suggested Google Search for additional resources: Internet Advertising, Pay Per Click
Also search on pages relevant to your site and see if they offer any programs.
 

Banner Exchanges
Step 2 Continued - Enough of Step 2 Already? Getting traffic on your site really is key.
Banner exchanges or Link Exchanges offer a webmaster an excellent opportunity to help increase traffic to your websites. Several Banner exchanges offer many other services such as search engine registration, statistical tracking, tips for gaining traffic, banner design services and various other useful tools. Click the link above to see a description of the services, exchange ratios, examples and experience and of course links to these sites.

Suggested Google Search for additional resources: Banner Exchange, Link Exchange
 

Referral, Advertising and Sponsor Programs
Step 3 - Let's Try and Make Some Money on the Web!
Most major businesses on the web have a referral program where you can make some money if you send business to them and the consumer purchases something. You can also find advertisers that will pay you (usually a pay per click system) or you can find sponsors that buy adds on your site. Here I give you a listing of some of these programs and give you ideas on finding sponsors.

Suggested Google Search for additional resources: Internet Advertising, Pay Per Click, website advertising, affiliate program
 

Free Statistics and Log Analyzers
Step 4 - Track Your Traffic
Several hosting service provide this service for free, but here are links to some great Free and trial traffic tracking and log analyzer systems.
 

Links to Free Nifty Code
You don't have to be an expert to create a web site. Here are links to sites that have free code. For example, how do you change the scroll bar color on your web site like this site does? How do you put the time and date on your site.