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Start
with the right tools.
If you are considering designing
your own web site, or maybe you've already made a few attempts to
do so, but aren't quite satisfied with the results, then maybe you
aren't really using the right tools for the job.
Although WordNet is a web site design company and we certainly don't
try to turn away business, I always suggest to my clients that they
begin learning some basic design skills so they can save money on
maintenance after we have designed their initial site.
You will increase your odds of having a successful on-line business
if you eventually take control over your web site so you can make
frequent changes as needs arise.
How do you get started doing this?
First, start with getting the right tools. I'm going to assume that
you have a web host at this point and you are ready to start designing
your pages.
Here are the very basics that you must have.
1. Html editor - This is a tool for writing web pages in html.
There are more editors popping up on the scene all the time. The ones
we use and trust are Dreamweaver and GoLive. These are not cheap but
are the best on the market and once you get some basics down, you
will be glad you have them.
Dreamweaver
GoLive
2. Graphics Editor - This is a tool for creating unique graphics
as well as altering and editing photos. Again I suggest and use the
Macromedia and Adobe products, Fireworks and Photoshop, respectively.
Fireworks
Photoshop
3. Ftp client - This is a tool that you use to transfer your
html pages to the web. Ftp stands for file transfer protocol. This
is an easy one. Get either ws-ftp or cute-ftp and you can't go wrong.
WS-Ftp
CuteFtp
4. Email client - This is a tool that allows you to process
emails and set up email accounts. You probably already have an email
account and a client that came with your Internet Service Provider
such as AOL. But for you to really utilize the power of email in conjunction
with your business, you'll need an email client with more features
and better flexibility.
I suggest Outlook 98 or 2000, or Eudora Pro.
Outlook
Eudora
All of the above products are available for 30 day free trials. Download
them and try them out, I guarantee you'll like them
Some of the above products are not inexpensive and there are cheaper
products on the market, such as page mill and front page. But in the
long run, if you plan to maintain your own site, you will be better
off to learn and use the quality tools now.
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