Choosing and using web site design software.
When it comes to designing your website, you have so many options it can make your head spin. There are various free tools on the Internet that will work well, but for a truly special site, you may want to buy some professional website design software. These have everything you need to help you build a professional and slick looking website. These also come with detailed instructions on how to use the software, as well as help.
You may not know what to choose when it comes to website design software, and it may depend solely on what you can do with a computer and how much help you need. When you look at some websites you like, see if they list what type of software was used to build that site. This may help you narrow down your list. You may also want to email some webmasters to see if they will let you know what they used. You may not get a response, but it is worth a shot.
The website design software I have found pretty easy to use is Kompozer. There is a video series available that will show you exactly how to use it to build professional looking web sites.
Kompozer is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) HTML editor. This program makes it easy to build a nice looking website without being too complicated. This is great for a beginner, because the controls are easy to use, and once you get the hang of it, it is easy to build and update your site. It also makes it easy to upload your site to your server and everything seems to run smoothly. Oh, and did I mention the Kompozer software is free!
Your selection of website design software may come down to price. One of the best in my opinion is Dreamweaver, but it is expensive. The best software won’t do you much good if you can’t afford it. You may be able to find used versions on eBay, but make sure it is a legal copy before you buy it. You may find new software at a great price, but remember that the lower the price, the less it can do.
I suggest you give Kompozer a try, and after you learn to use it, then decide if you really need to spend money for something more advanced.
Don’t forget to search the net for ideas and information. Look for reviews for website design software, and read all you can. This will help you discover which software works the best, and which types are more user friendly than others. Quite often the best advertisement for any type of software is testimony from those who have used it. See what users have to say about ease of use, price, and the results. If the software is easy to use, it won’t be worth the price if it cannot give you a professional looking website when you are finished.
I also suggest that even though you use a WYSIWYG html editor, you need to start learning basic HTML. It makes it much easier to make changes to your web site that your WYSIWYG editor may not be able to handle.
The main thing is to just get started. That is the best way to learn. Pick an editor, jump in and start building a web page. You’re not going to break anything, so give it a try. Before long, you will be building professional looking web sites that you can be proud of.
Good luck,
Lewis Poteet
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