People seem to have an uncanny fascination with social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace. Okay so I hold my hand up and admit that I do use them too, but I would feel left out if I didn't! These sites are all very well but they are slightly too relaxed. I came to the conclusion that I needed a website of some sort, one with a URL I could quickly flash at somebody and they would visit, learning about me within the click of a button. With the ambition of wanting to succeed as a TV Presenter now approaching its eleventh anniversary, there is no way I was going to let that dream die, so I decided to set up a website which would promote me in the best way possible and give people an idea of who I am, and what I have to offer.

I had attempted to make my own website many years ago, simply for the joy of it, but found the lack of good packages to be quite strong. However this time round, with my computer knowledge a lot greater, I found a website that was perfect. As soon as I visited www.webeden.co.uk, I knew it was the one for me.

Webeden allows you to create your own website, free of charge with no hidden costs. However you can upgrade and pay for a package to suit your needs if you feel you have to. Though the free package seemed ideal for me, offering me 20MB storage space all the other features I need. You can pay anything from nothing, right up to £14.39 a month/£130.49 a year which gives you two free domain names, unlimited websites under your username, and 1.5GB storage, and unlimited pages (free gives you just 15 pages). I feel that the highest price itself is still quite reasonable, especially if it is a business website that brings you in money!

With my package selected any my username created with the easy registration process, I was ready to go. You can select one of many templates to suit your website, but at the end of the day it does not matter which you select as they are all completely customizable, allowing you to start with a blank canvas. You just need to delete everything on the template and you're off. Though I selected quite an attractive template so kept the tab bar as it was, only changing the colour.

After creating the blank canvas, I began to do my editing. This process is incredibly easy, allowing you to select from the side menu to input various text boxes and shapes, as well as your own files and special feautures. Selecting Page Master also allows you to edit the parts which you want to appear on every page, such as the banner or a logo. Though in normal edit mode, what you do to a page stays on that page only. I really like the Page Master mode as it means you don't need to put each file on every page.

Creating a new page is simple, selecting the option from the drop down menu. Once you have your pages created, you can have them put into sub-tabs and rearrange them accordingly. All set up, you are ready to get really personal! You can add various features such as music (I recently had mine playing the Loose Women theme when entering!), video boxes, photo slide shows and contact boxes to name just a few. The site has also recently introduced both Twitter Feeds and HTML boxes too, which is wonderful as there are some HTML files I would like uploaded!

Webeden is ideal for any purpose. It is great for businesses as it allows you to create the perfect website for your company, with many hints and tips along the way. And then there's my reason, for selling myself as a future TV Presenter. Okay so perhaps I'll make my way through college and University first, but its still nice to have the website there and ready to go in case that golden opportunity comes along beforehand. I have yet to change my domain name, but you can do this for around £8 on the website – a payment you make annually to keep the name – with various options such as .com, .co.uk and .org. Unfortunately, it does not support .tv, much to my disappointment, though I shall go with .co.uk soon, erasing the 'webeden' out of the site.

This is a wonderful website that is incredibly easy to use and perfect for any cause. It has various packages to suit your budget and needs, and is 100% customizable (unlike say Piczo which limits you). It is definitely worth having a look at if you are thinking about setting up your own website, and it will help you along every step of the way too. Without Webeden, I would still be searching for that perfect website builder!

Amy 2009

If you wish to see an example of webeden, visit my site: www.amymclean.webeden.co.uk