Free Webpage Design – 11 Tools and Resources
These days, it is not necessary to pay for website creation. Small businesses and personal bloggers have all the tools that need to make a website for free. Here are my favorite free webpage design tools and resources.
1. Free Publishing Software: WordPress.org
WordPress has revolutionized web design and most of my advice is based on this program. There are other options available, but in my opinion WordPress offers the most value.
2. Free Image Hosting: FreeCodeSource.com
Easy code generation and hosting site.
3. Free Graphic Software: Gimp
This tool is brilliant. Download it at gimp.org. They even have an extensive list of websites with thousands of images you can use or customize. Just be sure you check the rights on them, but many are free for any use.
4. Free Photos: Flikr
They have plenty of images you can use on your site, even if you are commercial. The advanced search options allow you to easily search through the photos which allow commercial use.
5. Free Advertising:
List your business with Google Yellow Pages and put ads on Craigslist.
6. Free email: Hotmail
A lot of people give Hotmail a bad rap, but I have email accounts with many different providers and Hotmail's interface is still the one I like the best.
7. Free WordPress Headers: ThemeHeadrs.com.
This site has a lot of nice header designs. I usually just open them up in Microsoft publisher and add some wordart; however, they do customizations for $ 10 apiece.
8. Free Monetization: Commission Junction
Awesome. Unlike some commission directories, they only support reputable companies, and there are some very high-paying programs available.
9. Free Themes: Smashing Magazine Free WordPress Themes
These guys have 100 beautiful themes to choose from. If you do not see anything like like, just Google "free WordPress themes."
10. Free Theme Generator: www.yvoschaap.com/wpthemegen/
This WordPress tool is awesome and has really propelled my free webpage design forward. At first, it may be a little awkward to use, but if you take some time to play with the different features and experience on what each does, you can get pretty good. Uploading a custom header is a must if you want it to look professional.
11. Free Advice: The Warrior Forum
If you want to get serious about internet marketing and free web design, the Warrior Forum is a wealth of free information. There is a very positive, helpful atmosphere on the forum, and members get access to a list of free eBooks about internet marketing and free webpage design advice.
