[Exemplification]

I keep getting PMs asking for assistance on issues that are easily resolved with a bit of basic troubleshooting, this thread is mostly to be able to link said people to save my lazy self typing.

General Webmaster Troubleshooting

My Domain won't work!

• Have you set your domain to point toward the correct nameservers and set your domain in your host?
  • Check in your registrar's control panel to ensure that you have set nameservers.
    
  • Do your set nameservers match those given to you by your host?
    
  • Changing nameservers isn't instant; have you waited at least 3 days from the change of nameservers?
    
  • Have you added your domain to your host?
    • Using cPanel
      • Look on the left side of your cPanel under "Stats", is your domain there?
        
      • If you domain isn't there, is it under "Addon Domains"? If not Add it.
        
      
      
    • Using Plesk
      • Scroll down on the first page, look for your domain
        
      • If your domain isn't there, click "Add domain"
        
  
  
• My nameservers are set but it still doesn't work!
  • Have you tried to flush your DNS?
    • Flush your DNS on Windows 8/7 by using Command Prompt and entering: ipconfig /flushdns
      
    • Flush your DNS on Windows XP/Vista by using Run and entering: ipconfig /flushdns
      
    • Flush your DNS on MacOS 10.7/8 by opening Terminal and entering: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
      
    • Flush your DNS on MacOS 10.5/6 by opening Terminal and entering: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
      
  • If your domain still isn't working, contact your registrar and/or your host to ensure there are no problems with the setup
    

Why can't I connect with FTP?

• Does your domain point to your host? If not, view the above
  
• Are you trying to use a user that exists? Sometimes default FTP details do not match your control login.
  • Finding FTP Details in cPanel
    • Search "FTP Accounts"
      
  • Finding FTP details in Plesk
    • Click "FTP Access" on the initial page
      

Displaying Content

Why is this HTML element not displaying correctly?

• Is your HTML valid? Many problems can be solved with a simple validation
  • Validate your HTML here: http://validator.w3.org/
    
• Is your HTML compatible with your browser? Some elements have iffy support in each browser.
  • Check compatibility of elements here: http://caniuse.com/
    
• Is the element you're trying to use the right element? Just because it sometimes works doesn't mean it is the right way.
  • View the proper uses of your troublesome element: HTML5-> http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/ HTML 4.01-> http://www.w3.org/TR/html401/
    

Why isn't my CSS working?

• Is your CSS properly linked in your HTML documentation?
  • Learn the methods of using CSS: http://matthewjamestaylor.com/blog/addin...and-import
    
• Have you properly defined element id and class?
  
• Is your CSS being overwritten by another CSS file?
  • Import each CSS file once and only use each ID, class, or element in one CSS file unless you desire another to be overwritten
    
  • CSS is overwritten from the top-down, so the last CSS file you import is the one that has most effect.
    
• Is your CSS valid? Again, having valid content is important to having a successful CSS document
  • Validate your CSS here: http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/
    

These are the majority of the messages I've gotten asking for help, and most of them have been solved with the solutions above. As more come I will add them to the thread.

And yes, the thread is a listception.

[HueyTheGod]

Nice thread man! I sometimes think someone should maintain a wiki of popular questions about stuff like this.