WEB DESIGN TOOLS MAKE IT EASY

You've got your big idea. You've collected your content. You've planned your Web site structure. Now it's time to put it all together. But wait! Just how are you going to do this?

If you don't know HTML, don't despair. There are plenty of Web design tools available to create your site. You've got a lot of choices:

  • Nvu : This freeware program is an easy-to-use, intuitive tool for beginners. What it lacks in features and functionality, it makes up for in cost and ease of use. Perfect for a beginner and a simple Web site.
  • Microsoft FrontPage : A complete copy of the popular Microsoft FrontPage Web site development program is included with Microsoft® Office Developer Suite. Or, you can purchase FrontPage separately for less than $200. FrontPage is a complete development tool for creating simple or complex Web sites.
  • Macromedia Dreamweaver from Adobe : Another Web design product that experienced users swear by is Macromedia Dreamweaver®. It's a little pricey at $399 for a new copy, but it produces very clean HTML markup and is easy to use.

If you've used a word processor or desktop publishing software, adapting to a Web design tool won't be too difficult for you. For instance, to insert a table, you just click Table (or a similar command) in the top toolbar. Same for images. Whichever tool you end up using, take the tutorial to understand the basics.

Although your desktop publishing and word processing software often offer a way to convert from document format to Web format, don't use these tools for creating Web pages. The HTML code generated by this software tends to be full of random characters specific to the type of document it was saved as originally and wreaks havoc with a variety of browsers.

Do some research, download free trials to give you a chance to get to know each of the different tools, examine your budget, and then decide on a Web design tool and start using it. Your next step is to select a graphics editing tool, and begin laying out your Web site template. That's coming up next.