Recommend me a good Web Site Design Software

sherer · 22-02-2007, 10:18

Asking this for a friend and as i've never setup a web site i thought I would ask in here.

What i'm after is some good easy to use software that can be used to design a web site. Not really doing anything complex like flash at the moment but would like some software that had the scope to do more complex things in the future.

Not bothered if it is freeware or pay.

She has seen this http://www.mrsite.co.uk but the site they use didn't impress me that much to be honest

have been thinking about dreamweaver and this is meant to be one of the best but it might be a bit too bloated and complicated for my mate to use

D_Skids · 22-02-2007, 10:52

NVU (http://www.nvu.com/index.php) is pretty good although I haven't used it any great extent.

But it is free!

lani9loo · 22-02-2007, 11:05

Dreamweaver is up there with the best of them, you can get plugins to make life a little easier. The trick with dreamweaver for beginners is to use templates, something you can update once and apply to the rest of your pages. There are certain drawbacks, i.e. if the site is quite large, then these updates could take a little while to update the entire site. However for small sites its a perfect way to keep things simple. Couple dreamweaver up with fireworks and you could create some really visual elements to the site, like buttons, backgrounds, banners, navigation bars and it's all user friendly. Fireworks has a similar work ethic to Photoshop, after all they now owned by Adobe, so you'll get the best of both worlds. ( I sound like a salesman!!).

My dad even uses Dreamweaver to keep our website updated, his knowledge is very limited, so if he can use it anyone can.
That's my pounds worth.....

Good Luck

sherer · 22-02-2007, 11:27

thanks alot for the info.. i've just found out I can get a 30 day trial for dreamweaver so I will test that one out first.. plus take a look at the other one above

i think yes my friend will stick to templates with just a bunch of links at the top or side and then goes to other pages from there with a few thumbnails and stuff

mr_bo · 22-02-2007, 11:39

Dreamweaver

I'm no way an experienced web developer but I played with Dreamweaver and found my way around it easily enough.

Halcyon · 22-02-2007, 11:40

Dreamweaver

You will find loads of tutorials on the web and on Adobe's site for help with the basics.

sherer · 22-02-2007, 12:16

thanks alot guys.. reps all round.. i'll give dreamweaver a go as that has a 30 day trial :-)

lani9loo · 22-02-2007, 12:20

Quote:

thanks alot guys.. reps all round.. i'll give dreamweaver a go as that has a 30 day trial :-)

You should be able to get a trial for fireworks too... as other posters have mentioned, you can get some good tutorials online....google can help there...

AbyssUnderground · 22-02-2007, 13:50

Learn HTML and notepad.exe will become your best friend

sherer · 22-02-2007, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

Learn HTML and notepad.exe will become your best friend

it's for one of my mates who is doing it to help her dad out so there is no way she is going to bother learning HTML

seems google have one in dev too over at google labs so taking a look at that too

Halcyon · 22-02-2007, 14:16

I don't think learning HTML is best if you are a beginner. You want a "What you see is what you get" type of application where you type up and insert pictures.

mr_bo · 22-02-2007, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

I don't think learning HTML is best if you are a beginner. You want a "What you see is what you get" type of application where you type up and insert pictures.

Totally agree, Layers are your best friend

Plus you can see what you are building by flicking from design view and code view to learn a little about HTML as you progressively build your site.

bernieboy31 · 05-03-2007, 12:24

New to the board but saw this thread.

Make sure that whoever is hosting the site can support the language used.

.PHP and .ASP are not supported on freebie/cheap sites (e.g. blueblunder, VM or whatever they are called now) All support .HTM

Dreamweaver is fine as a "WYSIWIG" and so is MS FrontPage (but for that you will need FP extensions installed at the hosting site - blueyonder provide this FOC.) There are loadsa freebie/cheapie adds out there that will enhance your site.

Remember the "KISS" principle - "Keep is Simple Stupid" and make the site exciting so that folk want to delve around in it.

I built this site on my blueblunder web space with no knowledge of HTML.

HTH and good luck

Cheers
Bernie

Halcyon · 05-03-2007, 14:02

I also try to make sure people can find information on a site within 3 clicks of the mouse. Any more clicking around and they will get bored and move elswhere to find what they need.

v0id · 05-03-2007, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbyssUnderground

Learn HTML and notepad.exe will become your best friend

Notepad 2 is a better friend