Web Design Software

Get your website up in style

With the cost of domain names as low as they are, many people are designing their own websites. Web design software makes this easy, but finding the right Web site design software for you can be a complicated task.

Web software allows the user the ability to design their website either by using HTML code or by using a "what you see is what you get" graphical interface. Some software will also allow you to upload your Web code and images to your online server directly. The simplest of Web software doesn't even have to be installed on your hard drive; you can create your website directly online.

Some free website software will already be equipped with templates that allow the user to simply input their information and upload their images, and the website is ready to go within minutes. More advanced software will allow the user to completely change the layout, colors, fonts and background images to suit their exact needs.

Features and Benefits

The key features of most web design software are:

• WYSIWYG – What You See Is What You Get: The way your website looks on screen as you build is the way it will look online.
• Image editors: If you don't have an external image editor, some software comes equipped to do basic photo editing such as crop, resize and color change.
• Validators: Some software comes with validators that check your code as you design to make sure your site will work correctly once it's online.
• Wizards: These handy features help to create layouts, tables and forms.

Top Choices

• Web Easy Professional
• Dreamweaver CS3
• CoffeeCup HTML Editor
• Nvu
• NetObjects Fusion

Major Considerations

• What type of site will I build (blog, website, personal, business, commercial)?
• How complicated is the software?
• Does it come with technical support?
• Does it come with website hosting?
• Will I use plug-ins such as Flash, JavaScript and PHP?

Price Range

The cost of Web page design software will depend on your needs and skill level. Free web design software often comes with only the most basic options. The more expensive software, ranging up to $1200, comes complete with image editors and validators. Most Internet software will require add-ons for some script handling and XML editing.

Summary

People with very little knowledge can easily create a blog or Web page to get exposure for their ideas or services online. Web design software can take the challenge and stress out of designing your own website. With help files, tutorials, wizards and an easy-to-understand graphical interface, you can get your site up and online in very little time. Although the software can't make you a better designer, it can help you create the look you want.