DIY Web Page Design?

Both way too expensive. He is asking for a low-cost DIY alternative.

I would suggest looking at

http://www.serif.com/webplus/

Much more affordable and has many of the features and options of the other two. Including templates and FrontPage upload compatibility. Although a simple webpage or two can be made with Word, if you already own that, although it will be in Frontpage format.

Remember, You need to host your page somewhere on the web. My hosting website package includes website making tools for 3 websites (with quite a few templates, although the system is somewhat slow and buggy). You can get a website package with webpage making tools for about $4/month. For just a webpage or two, I would try this option first and if the Hosting webmaking tools are frustratingly slow or crappy, then buy website making software.

If you have a static IP, then you might want to learn how to host it on your home PC, but you will have to run it 24/7 and will make your system vulnerable to attacks (although highly unlikely unless you run some kind of payment options on your website). Plus you are on your own for webpage making software.

Along those lines - but perhaps more than you wish to attempt - both HTML and CSS can be written in Notepad (these are the "languages" you will make most use of) and tested in your own web browser. Word also has the capability to create crude web pages.

Just guessing - if you wish to start with a simple home page and perhaps a contact page - I would start with the ISP you use now. Most also offer inexpensive websites, email, and frequently some Wizard of a tool for creating same.

Hosting is relatively cheap if you only offer info and contacts. It goes up if you wish to host videos etc.

Don't like your ISP or they don't offer, do a quick google on ISP website hosting and have a look at what sort of freebies you can get / use as a customer.

Dreamweaver is preferred in many edu settings from 5th-14 grades and what I'd use, write in plain text and a the software converts to code and vice verse. Try it out use the trial...

Then again, MS Word is a pretty good program for creating web pages, you can paste in pictures, of course the text editing is great, you can insert tables etc. Just fire it up and use help to get the skinny on how to do it. (Really easy dude). And chances are you already own it...

Lynn,

I think that PDF files are a reasonable solution for most pages, as they can contain text, graphics, and links to other pages. If your main page is an html page with a few simple graphics, you can make it in Word, or any of the others listed here. Also Powerpoint is an excellent choice for graphically oriented pages. In my experience, (which is limited), Powerpoint is one of the best for a novice who is looking for the best WYSIWIG experience. I did compare Word, Powerpoint, Dreamweaver, and something else.. and Power point the best for looking the same in a browser as it looks in the editor.

If you are getting more interactive than simple links, then it is best to get some tutoring or authoring from someone trained in the art.

Also, a book I was reading recently was stating that Blogs with lots of interlinking to and from other pages, plus tags, will rate the highest with the search engines. (higher than simple static pages.) regular updates helps too.

Chris

If you go to microsoft office live. http://smallbusiness.officelive.com/

They have templates you can input into and can be oonline within 48hrs. They give you first years hosting free or at least they did. It will also give you company specific e-mail address which will look more professional and online server space for docs. It is how we started out with our company. Good luck with it Lynn.

Regards

Stephen

www.premchemltd.com

http://www.google.co.uk/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK318&q=free+web+creation+software&meta=lr%3D

Whatever you do: don't forget to test it completely with IE, Firefox, Opera and Chrome.

spacecannon,

Use Dreamweaver. It is by far the easiest solution for beginners. Unfortunately, its not free. The best freeware alternative is probably Nvu. I have never liked any of the microsoft programs for web pages.

Alternatively, you can also try free Content Management Systems like joomla!.

There are loads of tutorials all over the net. Just google it.

Regards, Juls

I have never used Dreamweaver, but know two beginners who purchased it. And both ended up taking a local college course to learn how to use it effectively. In other words, they thought (and I think) it was made for professionals.

It's the prefered software of it's kind in many elementary schools DUH!

I concur Dreamweaver is top notch, but expensive. There are several ways to publish webpages. As some have mentioned, I might add using a php format. These are free and typically come with any webhost with CPanel.

These include:

I use Apache for hosting on my home computer and build web pages with a text editor (vi) in HTML and PHP. I have found this to be the best way of producing clean web pages.

Just to chip in my 2 cents...

FrontPage is being phased out in favor of Microsoft Expression Web ~ but it's still a Micro$oft product.

If your server has a database you can use, I would highly suggest Wordpress.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wordpress

As it is highly flexible in the plug-ins that are available for it, plus the easy install. There is also a large community that offers thousands of different themes for your site.

Believe it or not I have used CoolPage for over 10 years. Several version but inexpensive. IT is WYSIWIG program and I have been able to create over 50+ pages in an hour. For most set-ups it gives a very professional look. It is easy. Occasionally someone nmay get a strange view and so far I don't like it on Blackberry but I get all the info.

You are all very awesome people, that you so much for your help, you all get a GA from me. thx Lynn

Hi Lynn, Bit late but may help.

I have used Adobe "Pagemill" for years now. It's quite old
but is very easy to use. (wysiwyg) and you could have
a copy if you email me. (don't think they would mind.)

There are loads of easy to use apps. though; e.g. Serif "Pageplus"
which will publish to the web, and good recent versions can be
obtained (for free) off cover Cd's. e.g. pc pro. (also downloadable.)
Many are also sold on auction, e.g. ebay. (for peanuts)

I can also fix you up with a hosting if you wish for about £5
a month - but again there are so many free hosting packages to
be had, just do a search on the web and your choice is enormous.

Good luck.

jt.