Webuser Forums: Website creation troubles

Hi SamualG - welcome to the forum, and the wonderful world of web site creation....

As you've suggested there are several WYSIWYG HTML editing applications out there. Perhaps the daddy of them all (in that it is more often than not the pro's choice) is Dreamweaver. It's a pro-spec application with a price tag to match. Then there's the likes of MS Frontpage, NetObjects, HotMetalPro, Namo, Serif WebPlus, etc. And, for the purist, there's Notepad.

With Notepad you need to know your onions RE HTML coding, etc., as it's all done by hand, so I guess we can discount that.

Dreamweaver, apart from the expense, has a steep learning curve for the novice. Which tends to leave the various 'domestic' applications to consider.

I should say that I haven't used any of them since their early days, so can't really comment on what they are capable of, but some have more bells & whistles than others, so your choice would depend on what you want to achieve.

What I will say is which ever one you take up with you will probably have to stick with it, as all of them produce some unique code to implement those bells & whistles. Trying to change a site created with one application by editing it in an other is nigh on impossible.

Another aspect of these packages is they tend to look like every other site created using them, unless you forgo some of the wizards and think a little outside the box when it comes to the design, and perhaps use your own graphics as opposed to the ones included, etc.

As for using a unique font, as you've said, unless the client PC has the font enabled the user wouldn't see it, but would see their browsers default font.

One way of rectifying that would be to have the font available on your site to download, but to be honest site visitors aren't inclined to install such fonts, they want a site ready to go.

There was/is(?) an MS technology called WEFT which purported to let you use fonts other than web natives on sites, but from what I read it wasn't easy to implement, nor entirely successful.

An alternative would be to use the special font sparingly as a graphic, perhaps for headings, etc.

In any event, any font used for blocks of text to be read on a screen should be easy on the eye, and preferable sans serif.

As for domains; I would certainly suggest keeping your registrar and hosting company separate. Again, as you say, if issues arise with one you're not tied in to the other aspect of your sites management, etc.

Personally, I would recommend Telivo as a registrar, I've used them for years and never had an issue. Domain management is straight forward and their prices are reasonable.

As for hosting, all I would say is shop around. You might want to look for a host that offers the Fantastico package (a collection of web applications that you may find useful, including CMS (Content Management System)). Most hosts offer easy-to-use control panels which allow you to manage your server/site, one of the most popular control panels is cPanel, which might be worth checking out.

The only other advice would be 'if it looks too good to be true' it probably is. You do tend to get what you pay for in terms of service, up-time, etc. Just shop around, and remember recommendations are always worth considering.

The issue of whether to go with a .com TLD or .co.uk you've pretty much covered. I tend to recommend to my clients that they grab both, use one and have the other point to it.

I'm sure you'll have more questions, and I'm equally sure others will have some advice for you too.

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TFC
'Going to trial with a lawyer who considers your whole life-style a Crime in Progress is not a happy prospect.' - Hunter S Thompson (1937-2005)