Simplest website building software?

[Redder Lurtz]

I've got a simple site designed in Powerpoint. I've tried Dreamweaver but I don't have the patience to get on with it, looks very complicated to me and I'm not great with HTML etc.

 

The content of my site is largely text based with a couple of pictures, the odd logo and an email address link. Simple stuff really. What's the simplest software available to help me get the content into a web compatible format?

[captainharris]

I've got a simple site designed in Powerpoint. I've tried Dreamweaver but I don't have the patience to get on with it, looks very complicated to me and I'm not great with HTML etc.

 

The content of my site is largely text based with a couple of pictures, the odd logo and an email address link. Simple stuff really. What's the simplest software available to help me get the content into a web compatible format?

 

I've been using Joomla for work. It's really simple to use. I had someone to build it for me, but really I could have probably done it myself as the user interface is pretty basic. We used to have our site on dreamweaver, but as I was the only full time member of staff I didn't have the time to be trained up on how to use it and didn't have the patience either. I just wanted a system where I could add an article, type the content and add a picture then click 'upload'.

 

Joomla!

 

If all you're looking for is text/photos then it's probably a good choice. oh... and it's free.

[Redder Lurtz]

Cheers capt. I'll take a look.

[piscinin]

Does it really need to be a site or could you just get away with something like a google blog?

 

Either way, most of these $5/month hosters come with a template system where you just provide the content with minimal html knowledge required.

Edited May 2, 2011 by piscinin

[Guest jmcv]

If you have MS Word, or Open Office Writer, you can create a simple document to appear as you want your web page to appear, and just save it as html, instead of as a .doc or .odf

 

Both programs also have a web view layout.

[kelster]

Notepad.

[Guest jmcv]

Notepad.

 

I think the OP wants something that is WYSIWYG. You need to know a bit about html to use notepad, but otherwise I would agree with you.

[Jennings]

I second the Joomla nomination.

 

I have built a lot of sites in the past on them...mainly for gaming clans. It can look very professional. Lots of templates, widgets, plugins, forums, galleries etc. The clans are all defunct now, so I can't post any links of my work - but there are good examples of others out there.

 

It allows you to manage the content without specialising in any web programming/scripting language.

 

If you decide to go with Joomla and you need a hand with integrating templates, plugins etc or you want me to do an image in photoshop - let me know I will be happy to help get you up and running.

[johnnyforks]

I have recently built my own web site as decided that it would be better if a few of us went on our own. I Just got sick of short term contracts and the like.

 

I downloaded web easy pro 7 from pirate bay. It seemed very easy to use and I am happy with the results. It takes a while to understand it, as I am a complete novice. You just need a plan. Good text to add and some images.

Hope this helps. You can view the site from my profile.

 

My problem is I need to improve traffic to the sight. Does anyone have any tips in the black arts of google. I want to be a top hit on the search engine at a low cost budget.

[piscinin]

I have recently built my own web site as decided that it would be better if a few of us went on our own. I Just got sick of short term contracts and the like.

 

I downloaded web easy pro 7 from pirate bay. It seemed very easy to use and I am happy with the results. It takes a while to understand it, as I am a complete novice. You just need a plan. Good text to add and some images.

Hope this helps. You can view the site from my profile.

 

My problem is I need to improve traffic to the sight. Does anyone have any tips in the black arts of google. I want to be a top hit on the search engine at a low cost budget.

 

Have you seen the google guidelines?

 

Webmaster Guidelines - Webmaster Tools Help

and

http://www.google.com/webmasters/docs/search-engine-optimization-starter-guide.pdf

and

YouTube - GoogleWebmasterHelp's Channel

 

As you've probably worked out meta-keywords aren't as important as they used to be, it's more important that your key search terms occur regularly in the content of your site and that your site is "well connected".

 

There are no guarantees but the things I would do:

 

1/ Make sure you've added the site to google.

2/ Upload a sitemap.xml

3/ Make sure your robots.txt is correct.

4/ Try to identify highly specific keywords, maybe in your industry that will be levels of accreditation for example, and make sure they occur on the site.

5/ Find the sites which currently rank highest for your search terms and try to introduce your URL into them. Be subtle don't spam. Add value to that site, like a link to industry certification guide in a discussion forum while listing your URL in your signature.

6/ Submit your site to all relevant advisory, regulatory, manufacturer directories e.g. the itssar body you mentioned.

7/ Add alt text to all your images

8/ Consider restructuring your site so there is 1 page per product e.g. a page for Training Counter Balance, another for Training Reach etc. Make sure each page contains your keywords.

 

And if you are the johnnyforks that leaves messages on "Scouse it up" youtube videos saying "you mess" then I'd look to try and keep your business and personal footprints separate. Same applies to facebook, myspace etc.

 

Hope that helps.

[johnnyforks]

Not me on the YouTube as dont have an account.