How to Choose Web Software

The website designer looking for web software needs to know which web software will work best for his or her website designing. Options range from high-level web software such as Adobe Dreamweaver to free web software including Evrsoft First Page. Here’s how:

  1. Web Software for Web Design: Adobe Dreamweaver. A component of Adobe’s Creative Suite web software, Dreamweaver is a top-of-the-line web development tool. Create CSS rules without coding; view code hinting for Ajax and JavaScript frameworks; design web pages under real-world browsing conditions while still retaining access to your code; and work with Adobe Smart Objects which allows you to link Photoshop documents with the same image in Dreamweaver. If you’re a professional website designer or web developer, Dreamweaver is a great option. For both Macintosh and MS Windows computers.
  2. Step 2

    Web Software for Web Design: Microsoft Expression Web. Also for the professional website designer, Microsoft Expression Web is the company’s replacement for the old Microsoft Front Page. The new web software is more like Adobe Dreamweaver in appearance, and allows the website designer to view code and design at the same time. Another notable feature is the web software’s many templates to choose from, either personal or professional. Also included are templates for ASP.NET forms and CSS designs. Microsoft Expression Web is for MS Windows computers only.

  3. Step 3

    Web Software for Web Design: NetObjects Fusion. This professional web software offers a range of great features and costs significantly less than Dreamweaver and Expression Web. The web software features drag-and-drop functionality, easy layout, Ajax user interfaces, XHTML, CSS, XML, Javascript, and data-binding objects to RSS feed or database for dynamic site content. NetObjects Fusion claims this can all be accomplished without coding a single line. Also included are a Flash elements library, photo galleries, a website wizard, and even an e-commerce tool for inserting an online store into the website designer’s site. NetObjects also offers free web software package called Fusion Essentials that is downloadable from the company’s website. Both products run on MS Windows computers only.

  4. Step 4

    Web Software for Web Design: Namo WebEditor Professional. Significantly less costly than Dreamweaver and Expression Web, Namo WebEditor web software offers up a hefty line of features for its low price of just under $100. The individual or small business website designer will benefit from Namo WebEditor. MS Windows computers only.

  5. Step 5

    Web Software for Web Design: Coffee Cup HTML Editor. This kitschy and robust web software includes a nice WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) web design interface with drag and drop functionality. It includes a sizable graphics package and 40 CSS/XHTML templates. It also includes HTML and CSS code completion for easy coding. This lower-priced web software can be downloaded for just under $50 at www.coffeecup.com. If the website designer has limited web design experience or doesn’t know HTML from CSS and Javascript, this may be the right web software. MS Windows computers only.

  6. Step 6

    Web Software for Web Design: Evrsoft First Page. This free web design software is available for download from Evrsoft’s website. It offers a range of features including a scrollbar designer, FTP client, tag autocompletion, popup maker, and support for PHP, XHTML, CSS, Javascript, Cold Fusion, Perl, SSI, and ASP. Evrsoft First Page is great for the individual or small business website designer. For MS Windows computers only.

Tips & Warnings
  • The website designer should make sure web software is available in required platform (Windows or Mac).
  • Dreamweaver, Expression Web, and NetObjects Fusion is professional web software. The individual or small business website designer might want to try less expensive (or even free) web software such as Namo WebEditor, Coffee Cup HTML Editor, or Evrsoft First Page.