Best programs for designing a web page

DKM · Aug 7, 2011

Hello,

I'm looking for feed-back on which programs are the best for designing a web page. The web site I'm thinking of will be business orientated (related to literature, writing), so I'll probably need to set up credit card, pay pal account info. At present, I believe my home page will only be two pages long, w/ three or four links. For a while I was reading up on Dreamweaver, but this program looks a bit expensive. Next, I started looking into using KompoZer, which as I understand is free. But, then someone recommended WordPress.org (not WordPress.com) as a possible web building source. What I see so far w/ WordPress, thou, is that they're good for blogging, not for business.

All comments welcome.

DKM

veinglory · Aug 7, 2011

I use Serif because it does the basic (css, code and preview side by side) and you can get an old version for next to nothing. They do a bait and switch and try to upsell you, but if you tell them to stop calling, they do.

Tirjasdyn · Aug 7, 2011

Wordpress is your best bet. I doesn't have to be used for blogging at all.

However, you sound like you are looking for software that that sets up a store and code for you.

It's called a web designer. There is no software that will do it automatically. You either start with something like wordpress and learn the code as you go (easiest self start there is) or you learn the code.

There are web hosts who give you small templates to work from but those host usually will not give you access to your domain and you cannot get your data away from them.

Gale Haut · Aug 7, 2011

WYSIWYG web editing software is definitely out there. I recommend downloading a trial of Dreamweaver from the Adobe site. But there are alternatives, and some of them are free. http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/05/06/25-wysiwyg-editors-reviewed/

At any rate, you are going to be far more successful if you put out the time to learn the guts of what this software is doing. I'm talking about html, css, maybe some javascript...

Deleted member 42 · Aug 7, 2011

I second the use of WordPress. I personally use text editors for HTML/CSS/Javascript.

I wouldn't bother with a shopping cart and transaction system unless you're selling a downloadable product; I'd use PayPal and Google Checkout.

Matera the Mad · Aug 7, 2011

F*ck Dreamweaver!

Try Kompozer, or better yet, just go with Wordpress.

Really, unless you are going to go into designing websites as a business, there's no reason to screw around with expensive junk. You'll never devote the time needed to learn how to use it effectively. All you will get is a dent in your finances and a website that barely functions and probably annoys most visitors. Seer-ee-us-lee.

DKM · Aug 9, 2011

Thanks everyone. Gives me something to think about.

Best programs for designing a web page

DKM

In an interstitial space

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Tirjasdyn

Outline Maven

Gale Haut

waxing digital artistic

Deleted member 42

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

DKM

In an interstitial space