What software is best for creating websites?

That's a pretty vague question. How about a little more information about your objective?

I have been using Dreamweaver for about 6 years - in my opinion it is by far the best web design/development software, but it depends how complex and bespoke the site you're building needs to be. Wordpress has some really good looking templates if you just want something simple.

Dreamweaver can be a bit complex if you haven't used it before though, and I believe it's about $300!

I don't get what you mean by a site of presentation?

Wordpress for blogs and Dreamweaver for static sites.

In my opinion, when tied to the seo loving given by google, wordpress wins hands down. Coupled with the themes and plugins available, it's an all in one promoter, indexer machine

Kompozer (free) or Dreamweaver, Wordpress.

Dreamweaver together w/ wordpress and crimson editor

PSPad - free html editor.

I have to agree your question is a tad vague but it really boils down to your experience level and timeframe.

There are a lot of different variables that go into choosing the best way to create a site. For example, some people may choose to use Flash to create a site, they may choose to create a static site in which case, Dreamweaver would be the tool of choice. Then there are times when Wordpress would be used if there are going to be frequent updates to the site.

It depends on the company and the industry they are in. I would say you really need to sit down with your clients and determine what they want their website to do, how often it will require frequent changes and how quickly do they need or want it built.

If you have time to learn, then my tool of choice would either be Dreamweaver or Wordpress. The great thing about Dreamweaver is that it can also be used to created custom Wordpress themes as well.

My 2 pennies for what its worth!

You may want to look at xsite pro as well...it is a good tool. Looks like a new updated version coming soon as well. It writes good clean code.

I would have to say Wordpress for all types of sites.

In the past, I've used Dreamweaver, XSitePro, SiteBuildIt, Kompozer. You name it. But I keep coming back to Wordpress.

You can use it to create any type of site. Whether blog, static, ecommerce, membership, directory. Wordpress may be a bit of an overkill for a small static site but if your client wises up, they will soon want to start a blog as well and you might as well start with a good base.

I've had many, many, many clients who have wanted to transfer their static site to Wordpress.

Just my two cents :-)

Notepad++ for me, unless it's a blog site. I have used Dreamweaver but enjoy coding by hand much more.

Joomla is also a pretty good CMS if you don't want to code by hand.

I'll go for Wordpress because it is easier to use and to optimize your search engine results. There are constantly new plugins being added to the platform which can be installed easily and which can really make your website more dynamic.You'll have access to lots of “theme” or site style which you can alter. .. And I can quickly get good rankings in Google for wordpress sites.

I'd say wordpress.

It's easy to learn and there are plenty of amazing paid (and free themes available)

Look up thesis and woothemes.

I'll go for Wordpress because it is easier to use and to optimize your search engine results. There are constantly new plugins being added to the platform which can be installed easily and which can really make your website more dynamic.You'll have access to lots of "theme" or site style which you can alter. .. And I can quickly get good rankings in Google for wordpress sites.

Try KompoZer it will do the Job, and they have plenty of tutorials, and it's free give it a try
G.W.

your question is too vague.but i think drupal which is an amazing cms is good.

WordPress is the hack-a-site method generally not used by self respecting professionals (think FrontPage Express circa the 90's... same user base). Stay away, if possible. Though it sounds like you are not a web designer (yet you have taken on web design work?), so you may have to use it.

Just realize that WordPress MUST be kept up to date since hackers are constantly testing it. If you are hosting your clients and can do this, that is an option. But if they have their own hosting, you probably don't want to throw WordPress into their laps.

As for your question, I generally use only:

EditPlus - Text Editor, HTML Editor, PHP Editor and Java Editor for Windows

digital picture editor, photo editor | Adobe Photoshop CS5
(You don't really need CS5. You can get the older CS2... possibly even older than that. I just like CS2 because it came with ImageReady, which is pretty much Photoshop Lite and good for simple tasks.)

Wordpress can build any kind of site as you need if you are skilled enough.

Nvu is a good (free) Dreamweaver alternative, otherwise Wordpress or Joomla for multi-page sites.

For over two years now I've been using Xsitepro v2.

Very highly rated product with lots of good reviews.

I use PSPad or notepad plus

I use Adobe Dreamweaver CS4. The software is great for beginners and intermediate users alike.

You replied to say that your clients want a "site of presentation" from this I think you're talking about simple websites to give your clients some web presence, get them found online for local search terms - display their main info, contact info, opening times - and so on.

If that's the case, you could use just about anything. A lot of people have recommended wordpress, but I'm not sure this is right for what you're doing - if you create wordpress sites from themes, often they look like blog sites, and your clients won't want blog sites - and often "offline" businesses coming online have a bit of a fear of blogs, and see them as less valuable than a "proper website".

I know, it's daft - but to someone who isn't involved much with web stuff - it can take some explaining, and often it's futile, you can see their eyes glasing over as you try to explain.

Obviously you can build a wordpress site to look like a static site, or you can select appropriate themes - but I think for what you're doing you'd be better off either learning to make simple sites in dreamweaver - or use a site builder of some description.

For instance, some of the hosting companies offer site builders with basic themes which are very easy to modify, i.e. if you want to change the logo you just download it, edit it in photoshop (or gimp) & then upload it. And the great thing with these, is because they're provided by your host, it does away with all the setup. creating the site, entering the ftp details & so on. So it means you can register the domain, click on the site builder link, choose a template, add content, modify the logo - and wham, site done.

I'd only recommend this for really basic sites - but it sounds like that's what you're offering.

I know someone who has built a really successful business offering sites to local businesses, that he builds using a site builder from the host. he charges them small amounts for the sites, a monthly fee for hosting (which is amazing, he charges more for one customer, than he pays per month for his entire hosting re-seller account!!) he's been doing it for years, is known as a web designer - and he knows nothing at all about web design!!!

Cheers

Kev

as a php developer - i must add dreamweaver is the most advanced development tool available - primarily since its an adobe product and adobe leads the market.

Yes its true that dreamweaver does create extra code that is not always needed, however on a webserver you will never really notice the difference unless you have complex web applications

It also very much depends on what type of website you need for the client.

As sbucciarel mentioned WordPress is best for Blog type websites - It also depends on what type of CMS (Content Management you wish to offer)

Are you familiar with PHP / MySQL at all?

wordpress is best choice...my lord..
do you..??

I would go for both of them, Dreamweaver to make an static site for the presentation a simple five pages site. With the about, contact, privacy, our services/products, our customers/proyects (this can be done in wp too but it all depends of the specifications of the client, some of them still want the punchy punchy flash sites).

And using the magic of wordpress to add targeted content related to the niche as a complement, linking to the main page.

Remember to use local targeted keywords on your content.

This and a dozen of backlinks will do the trick to put your pages on the local scope.

Here is a better look at Joomla, what it does, and how to use it.

lil mini-course here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...QuQ&feature=iv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...spY&feature=iv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...P68&feature=iv

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotat...fBM&feature=iv

I like to use dreamweaver if I am writing any code.

If you want a simple website, I would highly recommend using WordPress also.

Wordpress with Afilorama theme. Very easy to make. Done in less than 5 minutes.