Starting a Webcomic

I'll admit it: I'm addicted to the Internet. Not only has it saved my hide from hours of book research for school, but also has provided me unlimited opportunities to waste my time in new, exciting ways. Whether I want to learn something that genuinely interests me, feel like adjusting my bank account, or even just read through pages of rambling fanatical blogs, "The Big I" has me covered.

Of all the ways I entertain myself online, my most popular search is hands-down finding and reading webcomics. Entire sites of new stories, gags, and art have been bookmarked on my PC and keep expanding. If I'm feeling down or in the mood for adventure, there's nothing like finding free (and bountiful) comics posted entirely online. They keep my surfing light and fun, even envious as there are some amazingly talented web cartoonists out there. This got me thinking around November of 2007: why don't I take a crack at it?

So I did. I've been maintaining an online comic called "Faces" for over half a year. What I've learned about the politics, schedules, and untold rigors of webcomic creation has taught me many things. I'll always have hurdles to clear, but even in my short and widening foray into this frontier I'll gladly give tips to any other aspiring web cartoonists. Here are my top tips for beginning webcomic creators:

1. Know basic HTML
You can't expect your comic's site to operate well or look decent without preliminary knowledge of HTML coding. Be sure that you can write pages using very simple methods (making pages from Microsoft Notepad) first and then find a hosting site that works for you. Simply Google "Website Hosting" or "Free Website Hosting" to get set on the right track. I'm using 110mb.com: no ads and a very easy interface, with a passionate number of people ready to help your problems, but there are hundreds of more options available.

If you don't know anything about HTML coding, do another search on the subject. There are thousands of people who run their own personal sites just like you aspire to do, and there are a plethora of communities dedicated to teaching basic HTML. Just snoop around to fill in the gaps you're uncertain of. Another way to learn is to go to a site you like the look of, click "View" and then "Page Source" to see the HTML coding for the page. You can pick up many common scripts this way and try them out for yourself.

The first few tries are rough for beginning website writers, but the more you use HTML, the more streamlined the language becomes. And don't expect your own webcomic site to look as professional as those you've seen who make a full living off of their art. If you're happy with your site's layout, no matter how simple, stick with it and refine it as time passes. Maybe even upgrade to CSS if experience allows.

2. Stick to a schedule
Okay, I'm not one to claim perfection at this step. My comic used to be on a regular updating schedule of Thursdays and Sundays. But in my life, as well as your own, things will arise that eat your creative time. Be sure that when you set an updating schedule that you try your hardest to stick with it. And when your ever-elongating timeline hits a few trying spots, inform your readers of why the schedule is off track. Also try to set a schedule not only for new comics, but also for site maintenance. Tweaking a few pages or revising some code can take time but is important if you wish for your site to keep growing as your audience grows.

3. Stick to formats
Do you save your comic files as JPEG's or PNG's? Is your collection saved on your own personal computer or to a file-hosting site like Photobucket? These decisions can seem simple to start out with, but can become big annoyances if you wish to overhaul your site sometime down the road. For your first few months, at the very least, stick firmly to the file formats, updating methods, and script writing techniques you know. The familiarity you get from running your own webcomic and website leaves options open for deviating from that comfortable zone later on. But you have to reach that comfortable spot first by keeping your formats regular.

4. Join webcomic communities
Websites such as TopWebComics.com, Buzzcomix.net, and a fine collection of others, allow fellow webcomic creators to join together in communities all about promoting and discovering webcomics. Most of these sites are free to join, and even allow you to customize your profile with links, pictures, and descriptions. Many of these sites also have a vote feature, whereby people who visit your site and profile can vote for your comic to keep you high on the list of popular picks. These truly are fantastic tools and great ways to see what other people (many more than you'd think) are creating for their own webcomics. Which is whey you should...

5. Make alliances
It can be as simple as emailing the creator of a webcomic you enjoy, or even linking to said site from your own, but making connections within webcomic communities does nothing but help you. It helps you learn how to better your own site and comic; helps you form friends with other webcomic sites and audiences; and it helps you stay creative with the opportunities of comic crossovers and shared experiences. Trying your hardest to develop your site on your own with no pauses to make these connections hurts everything you're trying to create. Make those connections, show support for the webcomics you envy, and hope that the favor is likewise returned.

6. Advertise, don't annoy
This line is finer than most webcomic creators know. It's all right, and a prime necessity, to make yourself link banners and hyperlinks in other communities you are a part of in order to get traffic to your site. Joining online ad sites (such as Project Wonderful or Google Advertising) are inexpensive ways to not only seek sites that have the audiences you are looking to promote to, but teach you how ads work online. You first have to understand that most people online gloss over ANY ads they see without a second glance. We've all gotten used to it, and even if your ad is colorful or animated or hilarious, most often people skip over it like any other online ad. The trick is to find niche sites that have similar styles, comics, or communities as yours does. It's easier for people to make those connections if you try your hardest to promote your webcomic to an audience that knows yours is in lieu of another familiar webcomic. Be savvy, but not intrusive. Don't slap a link to your site on every message you leave or email you send. Be patient and pick your ad battles wisely.

7. Just have fun
If all of this advice is enough to deter you from starting or continuing your own startup webcomic, think about this: you should make a webcomic to have fun. Sure, it'd be great to make some green from your material someday, but you should start a webcomic first and foremost to enjoy the process. Do you enjoy writing the stories and jokes for your characters? Do you enjoy knowing that you're the master of your own website, no matter how simple it looks or operates? Do you enjoy making your comic as a hobby, or to entertain your friends? Then do it for those reasons. You can hold onto those dreams of online glory and cash cows forever, but have fun first and foremost.

The world of online comics is one full of talent, hilarity, and frustration. You can have a comic going for years with hardly an audience as well as run into unforeseen website coding disasters. But that's the price you pay for starting your own webcomic project. Do it to have fun, and to learn how to run a website, and to join amazing communities of talented web cartoonists. Hopefully, these bits of beginning information can help your own comic site get to a productive start.