This fall semester I had a class called “Mobile and Interactive Technology Design Lab – ARTS 319.” And in this class I was tasked to first learn coding simple website commands such as headers, boldfaces, and style css. Then the class began working on creating personal websites. Through Hostinger I bought a plan, template, and got started. I learned so much about changing a template verses the actual website—through much trial and error. I learned to first create a blog page, through the Posts tab. I learned to navigate the interface, set featured images, and place my blogs in categories. One thing I did not do well is improve the SEO through Yoast. As much as I added key words, headers, meta-descriptions, and much more, my analysis never got past orange. My readability is solid for never writing blog pages.  

I really struggled with the face of my home page. I wanted there to be a simple introduction of myself and what the page is about. I’m solidly satisfied with what came out, I think with more trial and error I could do a lot better. Two elements I love of my homepage are the verse slider and the picture gallery. 

I also enjoyed my portfolio page. When first deciding to create a professional portfolio website, I was a little discouraged because I didn’t think I had much to showcase. But when trying to find content for the page, I discover I’ve been able to create more cool graphics and presentations than I thought. The good thing is I can always continue to update and develop projects for this website. I have at least a full calendar year to keep it up, but I think I might elongate my subscription. 

The most difficult part was how slow moving Hostinger is. I also wish it was much more user friendly. I think I was very lost for the first few weeks on how to begin, because there is so much stuff. I’m used to using Canva. For the most part, anything I imagined I could create. With this website, I felt so limited, and parts of the page feel so much duller than I had hoped. 

I should have set myself with better page elements to finish week by week. I ended up doing a lot of the work towards the end. One page I left up until the final day to finish was my media page. It’s where I wanted it to host fun videos and pictures I have taken and/or edited. In my head I could decide if I wanted to list them one by one, embed them through YouTube, or what. It was honestly all overwhelming so I chose procrastination. 

Overall, I did enjoy this class. I got to do something I never thought I would do! I have shown my website to a few people, and it feels so cool to even say I have one. I want to continue developing it, and one day make a much better one for all the awesome marketing, sports, and ministry stuff I hope to be a part of in the future. Thank you for the help you have given me, the talks about real life in class, and the priority of prayer! It has truly been a great semester.