Website creation software advice wanted

RickMezza

RickMezza

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,436
Edit My Images
Yes
* mods please move this if its in the wrong place * :)

Hi, I'm after finding some software to design and maintain a simple website and wonder if anyone has any advice. The purpose of the website is just to promote our business *not photography related*. It'll probably have less than 20 pages and need no more than 10 megs space.

Its got to be relatively simple to use for creating the site in the first place, but more importantly, easy for someone else to maintain / modify pages / upload new pages. I'll probably initially create the site and someone else (someone even less computer savvy than myself:D) will maintain it.

Any ideas?

We used to use MS Frontpage but it looks like MS don't do that anymore and have replaced it with something more complicated and pricey called 'Expression'. The other old option was Adobe 'GoLive' but it looks like they only do Dreamweaver now which is more complicated than we need. :shrug:

Any advice is much appreciated :thumbs:

Rich

edit: The website must look professional when finished so we don't want a web-based template thing which would look too similar to any number of other websites.
 
I like Namo Webeditor, I got version 4 free with a magazine and it's probably still floating around the net somewhere. It's not the flashiest software but it's easy to use.
 
stay away as far as possible from microsoft web tools. They only work properly in explorer, and make the site look horrible in any other browser.

I'd say use Dreamweaver. An excellent program, with a 'design' view, so you dont have to code anything. Although it costs money, if you look hard enough and in the right places you can probably find a 'free' version.

:)
 
www.templatemonster.com

I know you say you do not want a template but some of these only have a couple of downloads and the probability that someone sees the same template is extremely minimal. Start with the template and adapt slightly if required. A great starter for around £30. Can't ever remember seeing the same template myself when surfing sites.

Other option is a CMS such as Joomla which makes updating really easy. Again, plenty of base templates you can start with and adapt.

Other option is to pay someone else to design the site for you....try elance.com. You may get a really cheap deal from a new starter.
 
I also used mrsite, it's nowt too flash, but it does the job and looks smart. Easy to install, i got my site up in about four hours and it's easy to update etc.

£35 for a domain, hosting (for a year) and full design. Not bad IMO.

I can use dreamweaver, but i found it so much easier to use Mrsite, just because of the time factor.
 
Use Joomla and pick/modify a template that suits you. Very easy to maintain once installed.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions folks :thumbs:. I will have a look at the template sites to see what they're like.
Re Dreamweaver, I know its good (I've used it before myself), but my intention is to avoid being involved in the design and upkeep of the site :bang: and leave it to my colleague. I don't have enough time as it is, and could do without taking on another project at work ;)

Rich :D
 
I use Dreamweaver and Photoshop for the graphics and web design and for a free picture set up I use Jalbum.there are plenty of free dreamweaver templates floating around :)
 
You can still get Golive: http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/golive/

I've always used Dreamweaver - which pretty much does what it's told. The problem with it, at least when I used to use it, is that it crams in far more code than necessary and you have to be careful that elements look right, or even appear, in different browsers. It used code that was incompatible with web standards and accessibility requirements - which is a consideration for a business site. You can change the offending tags, but you are then getting into HTML rather than just WYSIWIG - or whatever.

Maybe the new version is different...
 
If you are creating it for someone else to maintain then a CMS is the way forward
 
Found this yesterday on hotdeals

Serif Webplus 9 - Save 66% on this award winning web design software!
Found by techman711 on 2007-11-01 17:39:50

Serif WebPlus 9

Web design made easy - Save £40.00 off the RRP!

Was £29.99

Now only £19.99

Create professional looking websites simply and quickly with Serif WebPlus 9. This award winning web design package is suitable for all your personal and professional website needs. Specifically for home users, it's full of great features that make it simple, easy-to-use, powerful and quick.

With its enhanced interface, incredible graphic presets, web design functionality and publishing capabilities, this essential tool will let you create your own outstanding website to publish your work, photographs and thoughts online!

Key features:

* Customise a host of properties for individual pages easily including length, background colour, alignment, file name and many more!

* Design your website with desktop publishing style tools and features such as text boxes and picture imports

* Built in tutorials that teach you how to make the most of WebPlus with step-by-step guides that will take you from beginner to expert with illustrations and examples to help you at every step

* Select from a range of professionally designed templates covering a wide range of types and styles, that can also be completely customized

* Control every aspect of the program with ease from the Intuitive tabbed interface to the start up wizard, everything you need to achieve the results you want

* Upload large files easily WebPlus allows you to upload incrementally so you save on time and monthly upload allowances

* Creative features include - themed graphics, 3D lighting and surface effects, animation, instant 3D, quick shapes and customisable navigation bar menus

* Also comes complete with a Resource CD which includes 60 additional web templates, 7 extra tutorials, 231 additional object styles, Serif Web Art containing: 518 photos, 5204 gifs & 605 animated gifs

N.B - Suitable for Windows XP

Not compatible with Windows Vista

RRP £60.00

Was £29.00

Special price - now only £19.99

http://www.computeractive-direct.co.uk/index.cfm?p=16&itemid=2628
 
Thanks for the feedback chaps. It looks like it will have to be me who has to create the website - sales and marketing dept (1 chap actually;)) are too busy apparently :bang:.
Thanks again,
Rich
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top