I would like to design a web site for the office.
Any suggestions for the best software. I know MS Publisher can be used but would it be better to use one of the dedicated packages?
Any thoughts on :-
MS Frontpage
Hot Metal
Any others?
I would like to think the site would be of reasonable quality with some attractive effects and features.
Thanks in anticipation.
anon
Replies (8)
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Go for Adobe Pagemill any time!
Anon,
Go to http://www.adobe.com
and check out Adobe PageMill. It is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) software, less expensive than most and easy to learn.
My advice is stay away from MS (grin) and don't torture yourself trying to save a few pounds by using software not dedicated for creating web sites.
Best wishes
Harry Kafka
http://www.cpamarketingtips.com
What do users want it for
Although the question was more to do with "which package is best to design a web site" there are some other general issues to consider :
1 will your ISP accept the forms created in your web site. We found that a well known ISP did not accept FontPage 2000 server extensions (hopefully the correct technical explanation) and we had to inser HTML text that they provided. Not much of an issue in the end, but a bit of a surprise
2 if you are thinking of linking a web site (through the use of orders and catelogues) to your accounting system you are essentially faced with three routes.........buy a package that offers proprietory linking software (examples in other messages), buy a package with XML links (see basda.org) so you can design your own website or use a standalone webstore package. There is no right answer
Web design software
Try www.freewarehome.com under HTML tools. WARNING- do not use MS Publisher to build your site- the files will be too big and the design will be rubbish.
If you need help- contact me at [email protected]
Integrated E-Business solutions
Sage Software Ltd have launched a number of E-Business Solutions, aimed at small-to-medium sized enterprises. These range from FREE website creation tools to more sophisticated site creation and online trading products. The latest releases also integrate with Sage's desktop accounting software, allowing catalogue upload, order download and secure online credit card processing functionality.
For further information please refer to the Web Tools area on http://www.uk.sage.com.
AccessweB
Access Accounting's product AccessweB could be the product you are looking for. It is an 'off the shelf' package designed to help the user design and update their marketing web site without any web design skills.
If you would like any more information then please feel free to get in touch.
Julian Griffiths
Foresight EFG Ltd
[email protected]
Web design software
MS Frontpage is an excellent bet for setting up and updating a web site. It has the advantage of having a graphics module for applying effects to photographs, text etc. It also enables roll over effects on navigation buttons through the use of a range of themes for backgrounds (alternative themes are available on line).
Disadvantage to be wary of is the need for special frontpage extensions on your web server. If you have these then go for MS Frontpage as a superb starter package.
More professional design software is Macromedia Dreamweaver coupled with graphics software - but this runs into hundreds of pounds more.