Most ISPs give away web space with internet accounts, but using this space to create a website can be quite difficult if you have no web-design skills. Serif WebPlus 9 is written specifically for home users and, as such, is easier to use than many of its rivals.
It works much like desktop publishing packages such as Microsoft Publisher, whereby you arrange text, objects and images on a blank page. You can then attach hyperlinks to objects, which connect pages together. Page formatting can be done with the ChangeBar, which is always visible and allows you to quickly alter options for your objects.
Unlike professional software, there is no way of viewing or editing the underlying HTML code that constructs most web pages. While advanced web designers will balk at this, most home computer owners will be thankful for the simplicity.
In common with other Serif products, WebPlus is supplied with a resource disc containing templates, themes and clip art for use in your website. The themes allow you start with a pre-defined appearance and ensure that all pages have the same look throughout the site. You can customise your chosen theme or create a 'master' template, which will ensure consistency throughout.
One of the most important aspects when creating a website is knowing how long a page will take to load. Unlike Microsoft Front Page, which includes a status bar, WebPlus has no such tool, giving no indication as to whether your site will load in five seconds or five minutes.
When you start employing fancy text effects and large images, page size becomes an issue and can only be resolved by actually uploading the site to the internet to perform a manual check.
The supplied instruction booklet is definitely worth reading. As well as guiding you through using the software, it also has a lot of useful general advice on creating a website. At £60, WebPlus 9 offers a cheap and easy way to build websites.
Contact: Serif 0800 376 7070
www.serif.co.uk
Also consider:
Microsoft FrontPage 2003 More expensive but still a good web design tool.
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