Do-it-yourself Web Design For Home-based Businesses
|
|
Home-based businesses need a strong web presence to combat the inflated advertising and marketing budgets of their larger competitors, but establishing that presence through a professionally designed and developed web site may not be an affordable option. In many cases, the only cost-effective way to get the web site you want for your business is to do it yourself.
Even if you are not experienced in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), you can find helpful programs which will assist you in your design efforts. Trust me, it is not as difficult as it may seem to be.
Here are a few tips for finding software to meet your small or home-based business's needs.
1) Know Your Options
When it comes to web site creation software, there are three types to choose from: text editors, HTML editors, and WYSIWYG editors.
Text editors, which are basically any word processing program such as Word or Notepad, require extensive HTML knowledge.
NoteTab Light (Freeware)
http://www.notetab.com/download.htm
HTML editors are much like text editors except they include additional features to aid inexperienced users, such as color-coded tags and pre-prepared CGI and Java scripts. If you have little or no experience with HTML, WYSIWYG editor is a better choice.
HTML Kit (Freeware)
http://www.chami.com/html-kit/download/
Web-O-Rama (Donationware)
http://www.kevingunn.com/weborama.htm
WYSIWYG, which stands for What You See is What You Get, programs like FrontPage or DreamWeaver allow you to design the pages' appearance without writing code. You pick whatyou want and the program automatically generates the code.
Macromedia Dreamweaver ($399) (Recommended)
http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/download/
NetObjects Fusion ($149.95)
http://www.netobjects.com/products/html/download.html
2) Look for the Features You Need
When you start browsing for web site software, you'll want to look for a few key features, such as ready-made templates, wizards (they make many tasks easier and quicker), auto-backup, and pre-built code.
Remember to also keep in mind your own level of HTML experience. If you are inexperienced, then you will want plenty of templates and wizards to help you along. Likewise, if you feel comfortable working with code, then you may want to choose programs without all of the bells, whistles, and help since they will cost you less.
3) Do Some Research
Never buy a program, especially not one for business, without trying it out first. Most of these programs have demos or free trials available on their manufacturers' web sites. You can also check with sites such as CNET.com or Epinions to get an idea of which programs are being recommended by users. Check with popular computer magazines for their experts' input as well.
All of this research will give you a good idea of which programs to explore and which to avoid when you are making your final buying decision.
4) Keep in Mind Your Budget
Depending on which type of web design program you choose, your costs will vary dramatically. Text editors, for example, are often already on your computer. Notepad, a feature of Windows, makes a very usable text editor and will cost you nothing extra.
HTML editors, on the other hand, can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 while WYSIWYGs are priced between $70 to $500 and up.
Well-known brands, such as Adobe and MacroMedia, will cost more but the quality of their programs and the stability of their company make them a better choice than the inexpensive software from unknown vendors.
Also, be sure to look for programs that offer free or reduced price upgrades so you continue to get the most from your software without paying full price again every two or three years.
With these tips, you should have no trouble finding an HTML program that fits your needs and your experience level so you can create your own professional-looking web site without draining your business's budget.
-----SIDE BAR-----
No matter which software you use, a good knowledge of HTMLwill always be helpful. Here are some links that have helpedme tremendously in building my HTML and web designingskills:
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/teachingtool/html.html
http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/
http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp
-----SIDE BAR-----
Vishal P. Rao is the owner of: http://www.work-at-home-forum.com/ An online community of people who work at home.
|
|
|
Created & Maintained by Empower! CMS Web Sites
Host2Sell Web Hosting | Emarketing Workshops | Site SEO Review | FREE NewsletterGraphic Terms- The Basics Part I
You're almost set. The content of your website, e-book, or software is complete. Ready to put together your e-book or software ...(related: Web Design)
6 Reasons Why Web Templates Are Todays Trend
As the Internet blooms at an alarming rate, so as the numberof websites out there. Appearance, layout, presentation andloading times are just a few of the main essentialcharacteristics of a successful websit...(related: Web Design)
Choosing Your Web Design
We would all like to have the best looking website, that's a fact - but if we keep in mind that our main objective is to finally sell our product or service online, we'll realize that maybe design is not the most important factor when it comes to achieve this objective.Professional design is probably the most time ...(related: Web Design)
Building Your First Web Site?
Before doing anything on the technical side, you need some kind of basic idea to work with. I suggest first getting some paper and a pencil. Start by sketching a layout of how you would like your web page to appear. For example, a simple title at the top, the area in which you would like any content, pictures and so on. Now its time to do some programing!Don't let the word programing scare you. Anyone can learn and there are several sites that offer free tutorials. One such site is http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp. Although it is not necessary to be a top notch programer to build and operate your web site, you should learn the basics of ...(related: Web Design)
How To Use Color Effectively When You Create A Web Site
Colors are powerful, and create strong feelings. They can also make your web site look professional ? or look like a circus. Here are some powerful tips you should use every time you create a web site:1 ? Use contrasting color...(related: Web Design)
Creating Your First Website? Your Options
Creating your own website is great fun! But how is it done? Well, there are five main options, read this carefully and choose which one you think is best for you!Use software you already have:You may not know this, but you can actually use Microsoft Word to create webpages! This is great, since you can save yourself the cost of buying expensive new software. Just...(related: Web Design)
Html - A Website Language Explained - For Over 35s
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code HTML, for those who never did any kind of Computer Studies at school and have never had the need or opportunity to look 'under the skirt' of your average website. There's nothing that an experienced...(related: Web Design)
A Web Site That Sells Is All One Needs To Have A Successful Online Business!
There are more than billions of Web Sites, running Online Businesses, offering products and services. But only a few Web Sites manage to make any sale.Only a few Web Sites are capable of pulling in visitors and turn them into customers. Only a few are able to get profitable returns for their investments.Then what's wrong with the rest of the Web Sites that are unable to get the required returns of their investments or do not make any sale at all?Even if they recieve huge traffics, they don't make any sale. No need to talk about the Web Sites that doesn't even recieve any visitors, leave alone making any sale.They just don't foll...(related: Web Design)
How To Boost Your Sales Dramatically Using Dynamic Back-end Strategies
Getting a customer is not easy.Getting a visitor to decide that he or she wants to buy the product or service you're offering, getting out their credit card and giving you their hard-earned money is not a piece of cake.Most visitor's to your Internet site, 97 - 99% of them if you're lucky, will not buy your product. They turn away from your site, your offer...and they will probably never return. In other words - if you work hard, if you use the right techniques and if you're talented maybe you'll get 1 - 3 % of the people who visit your site to buy. But it's not easy.First you need to make sure you actually...(related: Web Design)
Create A Web Site That Builds Trust
If someone doesn't know you personally, will they trust you enough to do business with you just by visiting your web site?Most people view organizations - and web sites - they don't know with great skepticism. Given all the identity theft and viruses running around, people are understandably caut...(related: Web Design)
Website Design: Secrets Of Professional Website Designers Revealed
What colors do you have at your website?Can they make a difference in the number of sales that yougenerate?Can the use of the right colors in your website design actually increase your sales?The answer is yes!So pay attention to thesee website design secrets.When people see certain colors they can change their emotions or they can symbolize things related to the colors.Here are a list of colors with some emotions and symbolizations they can cause:Red - love, excitement, warmthPink - romantic, affection, sensualityWhite - purity, peace, perfectionBlue - sky, water, travel, freedom, truth...(related: Web Design)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 Empower! Web Design | All Rights Reserved. | Web Design