These days, it’s all but impossible to find someone who hasn’t heard of the Internet. Companies create websites before they make business plans. Political activists skip the debates and trash-talk their opponents online. Even formerly technophobic grandmothers spend hours emailing old friends (and selling the odd family heirloom on eBay). The Internet has even changed our language: Google and friend are now verbs, for example, and tweet has nothing to do with birds.

Think you need an army of skilled programmers to build a website? Think again. With nothing more than an ordinary PC, some raw ambition, and this book, you’ll learn how to create and maintain a professional-looking, visitor-friendly site. This Missing Manual gives you all the tools, techniques, and expert advice you need.

• Plan your site. Create web pages by learning the basics of HTML and HTML5.
• Control page design with CSS. Format text, images, links, tables, and other elements.
• Attract visitors. Ensure that people can find your site through popular search engines.
• Build a community. Add forums, fresh content, and a feedback form to encourage repeat visits.
• Get smart. Use free tools to identify your site’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Create your own blog. Post your musings with a free blog-hosting service.
• Bring in cash. Host Google ads, sell Amazon’s wares, or push your own products.
• Add pizzazz. Include audio, video, interactive menus, and more.