Are you a big video game fan? Creating a site related to video games is a titanic undertaking, but it can be a great way to express your opinions and change the face of the media that deal with this topic. The creation of the site will not be very different from any other site; the content will set you apart from the competition.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Plan the Site
Step 1. Decide what to focus on
There are many different types of video game sites on the net. Deciding your theme before you start building the site will help you during the design phase. Websites often focus on one or two of the following areas in the early stages. Once you've built an audience and staff, you can start expanding your reach.
- News - The latest news and stories about video games. News is what attracts readers the most to these types of sites, but finding scoops can be incredibly difficult.
- Reviews - Another very important source of traffic, and one of the most popular forms of writing related to video games. The review market is pretty saturated, so you'll have to be very good to stand out.
- Community - Creating a community is a great way to get involved in the world of video games. You won't make as much as a news and review site, but you can gain a loyal following.
- Fan site - Similar to a community, a fan site is typically dedicated to a game or series. Popular fan sites may be able to get interviews and content from developers.
- Wiki - Creating a wiki about your favorite game can be rewarding and lead to a beautiful community.
- Tips / Strategies / Cheats - Cheats and strategies collections are a popular research topic, but the competition is fierce.
- Blog - A blog allows you to simply post your thoughts and interests related to video games. A blog is great for testing your writing skills and building a loyal following of readers.
- What sets you apart from thousands of other video game sites?
Step 2. Create draft designs
Before you start building your site, it will be helpful to decide on the basic layout and visual style. You can create these sketches by drawing them on a tissue or with Photoshop. Create a flowchart to show your site's basic navigation.
Step 3. Learn basic HTML
Even if you won't create the site yourself, you will still need to know the basics of HTML in order to upload your content to the site. You can learn the basics in an afternoon, and with a little practice it will become a second language.
Method 2 of 3: Create the Site
Step 1. Build the site
You can create the site yourself or hire a web development company to do it for you. There are tons of website builders available on the internet, or you can choose to write the code from scratch if you are confident in your abilities.
- Make sure the website can contain all the features you want to use. For example, if you want users to be able to write comments, you will probably need an account management tool. If you want to allow video streaming, you will need to make sure that your site allows you to easily embed streams.
- Try to get sample pages from multiple web design companies. So you will have the possibility to choose the style that best suits your needs.
Step 2. Find a host
A web host is a service that hosts your website on its servers. You can find services that offer free hosting, but this option is generally not suitable for moderate traffic. You will need to find a good host that will allow you to expand your bandwidth along with your site.
Few things are as complex as switching hosts once your site has grown a lot. Choosing the right host right away can make things a lot easier for you
Step 3. Upload your site
When the site is ready, you will need to upload it to the server that will host it. If you have used the host creation tools, this will happen automatically. Otherwise, you will need to publish using an FTP client to access the server.
Step 4. Add your initial content
Before the site is accessible you will already have to enter some content. Without content, no one will visit it. The content you will need to create will depend on the type of site. Here are some examples:
- If you're building a review site, post a review of the game you just finished, even if it's not recent. This will allow you to gain some writing experience and create something that can be found in user searches.
- If you're writing a news site, find recent news related to your niche (PCs, consoles, laptops, businesses, etc.). Publish the news and add opinion articles about them.
- If you are writing guides, write a detailed guide for your favorite game. It will need to be thorough and cover the aspects that are not covered in detail in the other guides.
Method 3 of 3: Expand the Site
Step 1. Continue adding content
What to add will depend on the theme of the site. The content of the site is what will determine its popularity. It is what sets you apart from other video game sites in your niche.
- If you are writing articles, your skills will be very important in developing the style of the site. A good writer will attract many readers, so you should always try to improve.
- Correct everything before posting it. Grammatical errors and other layout or syntax problems will give the impression of lack of professionalism, and your readers will be disappointed.
- If you are using video game screenshots or videos, make sure you have the rights to use them, especially if your site is making you a profit.
Step 2. Create the best content in the business
You will have to stand out. You will compete with very popular sites that cater to some of the more experienced readers. You will compete not only against famous sites, but also against YouTube channels, Twitch streams and podcasts with a large following.
- If you are writing the guide for a game, make sure your guide is clearer and easier to follow than the others available on the net. Consider adding unique content that can't be found elsewhere, like perfect screenshots or hand-made maps.
- If you are talking about news, you will have to stand out from the most popular sites. Being able to run exclusive interviews and write high-quality articles on the less-covered aspects of the industry can go a long way in separating you from the herd.
- If you write reviews, you will need to make sure you are thorough. When talking about a game, focus on all the individual aspects, then on the sum of all the parts. Take note of the problems and the best moments, and try to keep a fair view. When writing a review, you should put aside personal preferences for a genre or series, and you should observe the game as objectively as possible.
Step 3. Hire a staff
If you want to compete with other sites, you will need more contributors. The largest video game sites publish more than 10 articles a day, by many different authors. Creating a great staff with unique views on your content will help you make your site shine.
Step 4. Keep innovating and experimenting
The world of video game media is constantly changing and reinventing itself. Try to stay abreast of new trends to make sure you don't lose readers. Look for ways to improve or change the way you present your content, and how you interact with video games in general.
