You’ve learned a lot! HTML tags, CSS rules, jQuery, images, tables, links, navigation bars, ... If you’ve done the exercises, you’ve shown you can use these tech things to create Web pages.

Now for the Big Payoff: creating a complete Web site. That’s what this lesson is about.

We’ll look at simple static Web sites. No forums, chat rooms, or such (we’ll add some of those later). But don’t underestimate the power of a static site. Static sites are the backbone of the Web.

If you run a business, a static site tells your customers where your business is, what you sell, why they should buy what you sell, and how to buy. You can have maps, business hours, pictures of you and your products, suggestions on how to get the most from your products, contact information, and much more. A site like this can have great value for your business.

Suppose you work for an elementary school. A static site can give the school calendar, tell parents how to enroll their children, give bus routes and times, list supplies kids will need in different grades, promote special events, and lots more. A site like this can have great value for the school.

And what about you? Your personal Web site can promote your personal brand. Use your site to let clients or employers know who you are, what you can do, and what you’re enthusiastic about. You can give samples of your work. This can mean job offers, contracts, and a chance to do some networking. A site like this can have great value for you.

This lesson doesn’t introduce much new tech. You already know enough to make static sites. Instead, this lesson talks about how to use the tech to meet the goals of site owners and users.

Let’s go!