Experts say you should consider the following issues and features when shopping for web design software.

  • Look for the simplest solution first. One well-written page plus a photo or two may be all the start you need to begin building long-lasting relationships. Look at online directories and photo-sharing sites, then at blogs, before starting to build a complex website.
  • Be honest about how much website technology you want to learn. It can be a lot of fun to play with various website development tools, but you also have the option of using web design software that doesn't require much learning at all.
  • Check the system requirements. Be sure the software is designed for your operating system. Although software manufacturers say that software is compatible with older systems, the faster your computer, the better. Older operating systems can be a problem for some applications, and slower computers perform better with simpler web design software.
  • Match web design software to applications you use most. For more advanced users, consider going with a program that interfaces with the applications you already use heavily. If you already use Microsoft Office or Microsoft Share Point, you'll appreciate Microsoft Expression Web 2. This version of Expression Web also integrates with Photoshop and Flash, and of course Dreamweaver does too.
  • Match web design and blog software to hosts. Some software features may require a server with specific capabilities in order to work on all browsers.

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