Choosing a Website Platform " From HTML to Content Management Sys
Are you thinking about starting your own website for your personal interest? Whether you are looking at a topic related creative outlet or a site designed to promote a product or service, the first thing you should consider is the tools available to you.
There are many ways to create webpages. For example, if you have Microsoft Word, especially the newer versions, you can create and even publish your web pages directly from Word to your hosting site. This is easy in appearance, but you will be lacking in some of the more common features available today.
If you are interested in having maximum control over the appearance and performance of your website then you might consider buying one of the many software packages that are available for writing and managing your website. The possibilities are endless, and these packages offer many powerful features.
There is another direction you can take, and that is choosing a content management system. These systems are integrated web site design and pubishing programs that give your website a foundation. Themes and add on features are always available for these systems.
Two well known content management systems are wordpress and joomla. Both of these programs are open source, which means the code is free to see and use, and many people support and build on open source and give these powerful components freely. Wordpress is easy to use, as well as joomla, and both offer add on or plugin features.
Joomla is an content management system with many available features. A good start with Joomla is to visit their website. You can see what add on features are available, down load the base software as well as templates and plugins, and read the forums.
As far as popularity goes, Wordpress is a great system. There are many websites that offer templates as well as the additional features known as plugins. Many articles are published to support and enhance your use of Wordpress as well. You can have a wordpress site hosted at wordpress, or use the software on your own hosting site. Many hosts have Fantastico which automates the installation of the software.
If you are thinking of building your own community online, you might consider Wordpress MU. This gives you one installation, and gives control over the plugins and themes, providing continuity and ease of maintenance.
Building a website takes time and a lot of thought. When you build from scratch you need to know both languages for the html or php code that gives your site form and structure. Using a content management system will save you a lot of time by providing structure, freeing you for the more creative aspects of your website.
There are many ways to create webpages. For example, if you have Microsoft Word, especially the newer versions, you can create and even publish your web pages directly from Word to your hosting site. This is easy in appearance, but you will be lacking in some of the more common features available today.
If you are interested in having maximum control over the appearance and performance of your website then you might consider buying one of the many software packages that are available for writing and managing your website. The possibilities are endless, and these packages offer many powerful features.
There is another direction you can take, and that is choosing a content management system. These systems are integrated web site design and pubishing programs that give your website a foundation. Themes and add on features are always available for these systems.
Two well known content management systems are wordpress and joomla. Both of these programs are open source, which means the code is free to see and use, and many people support and build on open source and give these powerful components freely. Wordpress is easy to use, as well as joomla, and both offer add on or plugin features.
Joomla is an content management system with many available features. A good start with Joomla is to visit their website. You can see what add on features are available, down load the base software as well as templates and plugins, and read the forums.
As far as popularity goes, Wordpress is a great system. There are many websites that offer templates as well as the additional features known as plugins. Many articles are published to support and enhance your use of Wordpress as well. You can have a wordpress site hosted at wordpress, or use the software on your own hosting site. Many hosts have Fantastico which automates the installation of the software.
If you are thinking of building your own community online, you might consider Wordpress MU. This gives you one installation, and gives control over the plugins and themes, providing continuity and ease of maintenance.
Building a website takes time and a lot of thought. When you build from scratch you need to know both languages for the html or php code that gives your site form and structure. Using a content management system will save you a lot of time by providing structure, freeing you for the more creative aspects of your website.
About the Author:
Theodore Metagastar writes considerations and hints forblogging for fun and profit as well as articles on running a website, domains and trademarks.