Design Your Own WebsiteIf you plan to have more than one site, it's a good idea to learn to design your own website. That's because web design can be the most expensive factor in creating a website. In general, it's not so easy to design your own website. Most website design programs require that you know html. That's the code web designers use to create pages. It stands for "HyperText Markup Language." XSitePro 2: A Simpler SolutionI recently purchased a program called XSitePro website design software, a program that includes good, user-friendly design templates. Because it includes templates, you don't need to learn html to use it. I was impressed when I watched this seven-minute XSitePro video explaining its features. I recently purchased the program, which costs a reasonable $197 (though the website has said for a while that they could go up to $297 at any time). It took me about a week to redesign one of my websites (of course, that wasn't the only thing I was doing that week). Although I own Dreamweaver, I wasn't able to create a decent looking website. But you can take a look at the design I created with XSitePro below:
Not-So-Simple SolutionsThe most popular website design software programs are Dreamweaver and FrontPage, but they aren't easy to learn. As I said, I own Dreamweaver. It allows me to change the text on my professionally designed website but I don't know much html, so I can't do a lot with it. I wish I could, as that would give me much more flexibility with that website. A Free SolutionBefore you spend money on programs like Dreamweaver or FrontPage, you may as well check out a free website design software program,
Kompozer
. It got good reviews from CNET, a site that reviews high-tech products and software:
Should you learn html?Over the years, I've picked up a very small amount of html language. It's good to know, as it allows me to do a little bit more with my websites.For instance, see how the subhead above is in bold type and larger than the rest of the copy? That's because I know the html code for a third-level headline. You don't need to know any html to start out. As you progress with your site, you'll know whether or not a little html knowledge would help out. But if you do plan to design your own website, and certainly if you download Kompozer, you'll need to know some html.
By now you should have plenty of information on how to get your website designed. If you want to review your other design options, just visit
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