This course will introduce you to some free and low-cost website-building platforms. Learn how to get started and choosing the right platform for your site. Do you need a paid version or a free one. Learn the benefits of both and decide for yourself which is right. Learn how to download or access the various platforms:
- WordPress
- SquareSpace
- Wix
- Shopify
We’ll explore ways to optimize text and graphics for the best user experience, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), website hosting, analytics, forms, and more. During the course, you will need to download and access website-building programs on a laptop or desktop computer (PC or Mac), with a strong internet connection. Students should have access and knowledge of text and image editing programs to be able to manipulate content for their site. Some recommended programs are: Word, Photoshop, GIMP, Pixlr, Canva.
Course is delivered via Zoom through Corning Community College Workforce Development.
Class I
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
12:00-1:00pm
Learn the basics of installing a variety of website-building platforms. Learn about free, low-cost, and commercial-level web hosting (GoDaddy, BlueHost, HostGator, etc.) Which one is right for you? Learn about custom domains. Do you need one? How much do they cost? What can you do or not do with them?
Class II
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
12:00-1:00pm
Start building your site in a variety of platforms. Learn the basics of WordPress, SquareSpace, Wix. Do you need a eCommerce component? How do you optimize and upload images? What is ADA-compliance? What about Analytics? Connecting social accounts, widgets, plug-ins and more!
Class III
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
12:00-1:00pm
Focus on WordPress. Learn how to customize themes, install and use free or low-cost plug-ins. Testing your site. Forms—and more forms! Advanced image and video editing and uploading. Learn about all the resources available for this open source website-building platform. How is this different (or better?) than Drupal, Joomla, or others? What about content? How to write for the web and stylize your text and images for readability and SEO, and ADA compliance!
Class IV
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
12:00-1:00pm
Class Presentations. Each student will have the opportunity to share with the others what they have learned and summarize their experience for the others. Open source software (such as WordPress) is all about collaboration and sharing. Make connections with your fellow students, you can all be resources for each other and the greater community.
