| There are a number of applications out there that | | | | designers need. It's resulted in an easy-to-use |
| allow you to design websites using WYSIWYG (what | | | | application that can be picked up and used by just |
| you see is what you get) editors. We're going to | | | | about anybody. |
| look at the best web design software that falls into | | | | The downside to XSitePro is that it's more difficult to |
| this category. We'll also look at the benefits of using | | | | create dynamic sites and has done away with the |
| such software to help you decide whether or not it's | | | | look and feel of traditional WYSIWYG website |
| right for you. | | | | software. So if you're used to working with |
| The principle behind WYSIWYG editors is that | | | | Dreamweaver or FrontPage then you might find |
| whatever you see on the page is what you'll get | | | | XSitePro hard to get used to. |
| when your website is published. Basically it gives you | | | | When it comes to web design software, a |
| an interface where you can build your website | | | | WYSIWYG editor is really the only way to go. It |
| exactly how you want it to look when people visit it | | | | makes production time far quicker, but you need to |
| online. | | | | start with the right software. |
| The most popular web design software packages | | | | If you're a professional web designer and you want |
| are Dreamweaver, FrontPage and XSitePro. Adobe | | | | to create cutting-edge websites using the latest |
| Dreamweaver is the professional choice due to its | | | | technologies then without a doubt you need to use |
| massive range of features and ability to create | | | | Adobe Dreamweaver. It's amazingly powerful and |
| dynamic websites. The downside being it's difficult to | | | | automates a lot of the common tasks associated |
| pick up and use 'out of the box' and requires a lot of | | | | with web design. |
| hours to learn just the basics, especially if you're new | | | | If you're not after something quite as |
| to web design. It's also expensive to buy. | | | | feature-packed as Dreamweaver and you're a fan of |
| Microsoft's FrontPage has a lot of features but often | | | | Microsoft technologies and you'd like to use them on |
| adds needless code to the pages it creates. This can | | | | the web, then FrontPage might be for you. Just don't |
| increase page loading times, especially for those who | | | | go creating large pages as they could take an age to |
| still access the internet using a dial-up connection. It's | | | | load! |
| not as user-friendly as Dreamweaver and pushes you | | | | If you're new to web design or you'd like to get |
| in the direction of using Microsoft server technologies | | | | something that doesn't have the learning time of |
| to build dynamic sites which won't suit everyone's | | | | Dreamweaver or FrontPage then XSitePro is for you. |
| needs. On the plus side, FrontPage costs less than | | | | It's quick to learn, easy to use and can produce truly |
| Dreamweaver and is slightly easier to learn. | | | | beautiful sites very quickly. And like Dreamweaver, it |
| The third and final WYSIWYG web design software | | | | automates a lot of the common tasks associated |
| we're going to look at is XSitePro from Intellimon Ltd. | | | | with web design. |
| This is a relatively new application that has been | | | | Picking the right WYSIWYG web design software is |
| developed with the novice or internet marketer in | | | | essential to make sure you find web design fun and |
| mind. | | | | interesting and not a chore. You should choose based |
| Because the majority of features within | | | | on your skill level and exactly what you want to |
| Dreamweaver and FrontPage won't be used by most | | | | achieve. That will give you the results you want and |
| users, XSitePro has done away with them and left | | | | will make building websites something you can enjoy |
| only the tools that novice-to-intermediate web | | | | for years to come. |