Website building software

[Spinney]

Any recommendations? I have made websites myself in the past using basic HTML, but they look just that - basic.

I've taken a look at some free software packages, and they seem to make setting out the pages etc fairly easy, but then you have to pay to upgrade to put the code on your own website (instead of theirs, with ads). So I may as well pay from the beginning. I already pay for some server space so I don't need a third party to host the site for me.

At the moment I only want to make a simple site with 3 or 4 pages, but eventually I might want to upgrade it to allow bookings (and possibly on-line payments).

 

[the snail]

You could use Joomla or similar, if your host provides PHP and MySQL, lots of free/cheap modules to build a fancy site without any coding

 

[hoopdriver]

Wordpress is great and there are a lot of themes, many of which are fully customisable. There are lots of free themes, but you're better off paying a bit and getting something nice, something you can tailor to your tastes and needs.

 

[vernon]

Joomla and Wordpress are fine if you are prepared to put up with rather steep learning curves.

Both will meet your desire to have e-commerce pages and booking systems in the future. There are modules that can be downloaded and added to the site. The documentation sometimes leaves a little to be desired though.

You could try the free version of Serif Software's Web Plus http://www.serif.com/web-design-software/?mc=FSSWEBPLUS# to see if you like it before purchasing the more advanced version

Have a look at the full specs here: http://www.serif.com/webplus/

The software is straight forward to use - I used to use it with pupils in ICT lessons and the user interface is easy to get on with.

A review of it is here: http://www.comparedandreviewed.com/website-design-software/serif-webplus/review

 

[Markymark]

I use dreanweaver but reckon any wysiwyg freeware will do.

Just find some templates you like and adapt to suit yourself.

 

[Spinney]

Thanks all, I will look into some of those.

 

[Andrew_P]

Thanks all, I will look into some of those.

Microsoft Expressions is fairly intuitive for Windows users, free but no longer supported. Quite a nice WYSIWYG editor http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=36179

 

[hoopdriver]

Joomla and Wordpress are fine if you are prepared to put up with rather steep learning curves.

Both will meet your desire to have e-commerce pages and booking systems in the future. There are modules that can be downloaded and added to the site. The documentation sometimes leaves a little to be desired though.

You could try the free version of Serif Software's Web Plus http://www.serif.com/web-design-software/?mc=FSSWEBPLUS# to see if you like it before purchasing the more advanced version

Have a look at the full specs here: http://www.serif.com/webplus/

The software is straight forward to use - I used to use it with pupils in ICT lessons and the user interface is easy to get on with.

A review of it is here: http://www.comparedandreviewed.com/website-design-software/serif-webplus/review

I can't imagine what you mean by steep learning curve for Wordpress. I am the quintessential Luddite and I picked up Wordpress in about five minutes. Building a website with it is like assembling a Lego kit. It just snaps together. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you like.

 

[andyfraser]

My job is web development so I hand code this stuff and actually know very little of the tools that make things easier. I hear good things about Wordpress and Joomla. I've heard some good things about Drupal too. As @vernon said, the learning curve can be steep, depending on how complex you're getting.

I've heard very good things about SquareSpace but you don't need hosting and they do the whole package.

I'm wary of deskyop apps that say they can manage a website for you. Back in the day iWeb was good because it was very basic. In the wrong hands Dreamweaver can be very dangerous. I've had to pick up the pieces when Dreamweaver goes bad a few too many times. I haven't tried WebPlus so it may well do a good job but I'd say try the trial version first.

Whatever you choose just make sure it not only does what you want for now but everything you think you'll need in the future otherwise things tend to get complicated.

 

[dan_bo]

I used 1&1 my website once.

It was expensive and $h1t.

 

[F70100]

+1 for Wordpress.

 

[jefmcg]

+1 for Wordpress.

and another +1

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I used 1&1 my website once.

It was expensive and $h1t.

They could use that as their strapline.

 

[DWiggy]

modx is super flexible

 

[ColinJ]

I used 1&1 my website once.

It was expensive and $h1t.

They could use that as their strapline.

For about 10 minutes, until the business went bankrupt!