When you have finished making your web site, and it is stored on your computer, it is time to put it onto the Internet. Before you do this, it is probably best that you check that it runs from your computer correctly. View the site in your web browser, and check that all of the pages look as they should, all pictures show, and all hyperlinks work. When you are sure that everything is working properly, you can upload the files to the Internet.

You will need to have an account with a web space provider - there are many companies who will provide web space for you. Alternatively, many Internet Service Providers give an allocation of free web space with each account.

When you have some web space set up, you can start to upload your web site files into it. Many of the web authoring programs can do this automatically for you - check with your software to find out how to do this. Alternatively, you can do this using FTP software.

Once you have downloaded and installed the software, try looking through the help pages to find out where to go next!

When you are uploading your site, the main aim is to create an exact copy of your site on the web server - all folders need to be named the same and files should be stored in the correct folders. When you have finished uploading your site, the contents of the web server should be exactly the same as the contents of the web site folder on your computer. If there are any differences, some pages on your site might not work correctly.

When you have finished uploading all of the files, you can visit it on-line! Type in your web site address and take a look around to check that everything works over the internet.

Even though your site may be on-line, that is not the end of the process. To be successful, you will also need to do the following:

1) Shout about it! No-one will visit your site if they don't know about it. Tell all your friends and family the address.

2) Search Engine Submission. Many people use search engines to find what they are looking for on the Internet. If the search engines don't know about your site, it won't appear in their search results. Look for "Add URL" or "Add Your Site" links to submit your site to the following search engines:

3) Swap links. Browse around the net and find sites which are similar to yours. Email the creators / webmasters and ask them if they would be willing to swap links - you provide a link to their web site on yours, and they have a link to your site on theirs.

4) Update. To keep visitors coming back to your site, keep it fresh and update it regularly, by adding new pages and features.

5) Mailing Lists. YourMailingList Provider (http://www.yourmailinglistprovider.com) is an excellent service which lets you have a mailing list for your site. You provide a form on your site, in which visitors type their email address. You can then send them emails to let them know when you have updated the site. This is a great way of getting your visitors to return.