What the best web design software has

  • Straightforward setup. Setting up your website should be painless and should not require you to have deep technical knowledge.
  • Ease of use. Updating your website should be simple, and the software should make changing the layout effortless.
  • Features. From the ready-made templates to the number of widgets, you need to have choices that are suitable for your website and the ability to customize them.
  • Free trial. Before you pay for web design software, use the free or trial version to see if it fits your needs.

Know before you go

How much technical knowledge do you have or want to learn? It can be a lot of fun to play with sophisticated web development tools, but the best web design software should require little – if any – coding knowledge.

Do you need a web hosting service? Subscribing to a hosted service leaves you free to concentrate on developing your site. If you use a standalone website builder, such as Serif Webplus X6, you'll have to purchase a domain name and set up FTP web space via a web hosting service or a connected web server. See our reports on domain name registration and web hosting to find our Best Reviewed services in these areas.

Do you have graphics design knowledge? If you're unsure of your web design skills, look for software that offers a large number of templates. Professionally produced, such templates have coordinated colors, fonts and backgrounds, so you don't have to worry about whether your website design elements work together.

Do you want to get your hands on the HTML code? Most web design software products allow customization through a drag-and-drop interface. Check whether your chosen web design software allows you to edit the HTML code.

How powerful is your computer? If you're considering a downloadable web design program, be sure the software is designed for your operating system. Older operating systems can be a problem for some applications, and slower computers perform better with simpler web design software.

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