Website creation/design software

[Bernie-the-bolt]

I've had a search and obviously some of you guys are very computer literate and can write in html and have fantastic websites.

I'd like to use an 'off the shelf' piece of software to create my photographic website, as I don't have the time to write script. Aside from looking good, and although I'm not good enough to sell photo's yet, I may want to have e-commerce at some time (or a similar 'purchasing' facility), so it must have that ability rather than having to do the job twice.

I've had a good look around the web and granted there are a few around, many of which have free trials, but can I ask what you guys use?

Cheers

[Steve Evil]

Dreamweaver or Microsoft Front Page are both fairly intuitive to use, creating all the code in the background for you.

[cuneus]

For your use - Jalbum ?

[davidd]

I've used jalbum in the past if it is just pure photo or as an alternative you could use wordpress with some gallery software installed (which is what I now use).

D

[Bernie-the-bolt]

I've used frontpage before and don't reallt like it.

I have heard of Jalbum.....but had no experience.

[GetCarter]

Dreamweaver is piss easy - you never 'HAVE' to look at script.

[_dobbo_]

One option is to forget doing the whole design thing altogether and use something like wordpress with one of the many many themes that are out there. You can then just add your own header image to customise it to make it your own.

You then get complete control over the content without having to get bogged down in the design side.

Since I converted my site across to wordpress I've found I'm much more motivated to get out and take pictures and add them to my site, something I was often not bothered to do when I had to write all the code myself.

Loads of great photographer friendly wordpress themes out there, a good list here

[miniman]

Jalbum is quite complicated to customise if you don't know what you're doing. I would get a copy of Lightroom 2 and use its export to web feature, which will build a variety of galleries including SimpleViewer. Personally I hand-code with a text editor, but it sounds like that is not for you...

[davidd]

it is possible to use wordpress then couple it with microsoft livewriter, this allows really simple edits and uploads..

D

[kybo]

Is cost a factor? Dreamweaver is expensive and I personally find it a bit difficult to use - there's so much it can do you may have to learn how to use it before you can 'go create'.

I use a free WYSIWYG call Kompozer. Doesn't have many bells and whistles but works well at customising templates and is nowhere near as complicated as Dreamweaver.

Jalbum is fine, used as a gallery but not, IMO, any good as a complete site (only used it as a gallery).

As for your ability to sell. There are free ecommerce shopping baskets out there but I have no experience of them. On the plus side Dreamweaver can implement ecommerce using a google add in.

HTH
Scott