Whats Your Favorite Website Platform?
Posted 17th January 2009 at 12:35 AM by Debbie Songster
It used to be when you wanted to put up a website you searched and found a template and then hunted around until you found a free or cheap html editor.
Then you spent the better part of the day trying to figure out how to layout your text and images to make it all look right. After you finished the index page then you had to work on each of the other pages - all by hand.
Don't forget to make sure your menu links all work and go to the correct page.
No wonder the newbie was intimidated by web design. You almost had to have a degree in html to put one up.
There are still people out there who hand code their websites. I'm not talking about the single (albeit long) sales page or the always effective squeeze page. We can also leave out the occasional splash page or entry page creation. I'm talking about the 5 or 6 (or more) page website.
It wasn't all that long ago I used to build them like that.
But why? I mean now that there is WordPress and Joomla and a host of other platforms and site creators, would a person STILL hand code a complete website?
Well, I can think of a few reasons.
Maybe some of those people haven't evolved yet? Still living in an online cave.
I can remember not that long ago when WordPress wasn't a user friendly platform and don't get me started about Joomla 1.0.
Those early versions would have a person pulling their hair out trying to figure out how to use it.
BUT now days, there have been huge improvements in both WordPress and Joomla. They are both versatile and friendly and search engine lovable but best of all they have a huge following.
Demand encourages development.
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of plugins for both of these systems. A multitude of support forums, information sites, educational videos, etc all geared for those who want and need to learn more. These platforms can't help but evolve - people want them.
I've been really impressed lately with the quality of templates available for WordPress. It's no longer just a blogging platform. There are now many faces to WordPress. Its not my choice for a large scalable site but its holding its own in the big boy website market.
I remember in the early 90's I had a service online that sold horses via video listings. What I would have given to have access to something like WordPress or Joomla back then. Everything was hand coded.
The internet was young then but lots of people knew its value for research. I met a ton of interesting people with my horse sales site. When the producers of The 13th Warrior (it was originally called Eaters Of The Dead) were looking for horses, they called me. I didn't have horses that fit their needs but in the end they used riders from our local Pony club as extra's - great fun. All of it started with a connection through the internet.
Sorry, I'm getting a bit off topic and reminiscing a bit...
The bottom line... it's a lot easier today.
There is no excuse anymore for the newbie who doesn't have their own website up and running. By using Fantasico in your Cpanel its virtually stupid proof.
So what's your favorite website platform?
Then you spent the better part of the day trying to figure out how to layout your text and images to make it all look right. After you finished the index page then you had to work on each of the other pages - all by hand.
Don't forget to make sure your menu links all work and go to the correct page.
No wonder the newbie was intimidated by web design. You almost had to have a degree in html to put one up.
There are still people out there who hand code their websites. I'm not talking about the single (albeit long) sales page or the always effective squeeze page. We can also leave out the occasional splash page or entry page creation. I'm talking about the 5 or 6 (or more) page website.
It wasn't all that long ago I used to build them like that.
But why? I mean now that there is WordPress and Joomla and a host of other platforms and site creators, would a person STILL hand code a complete website?
Well, I can think of a few reasons.
- They are used to it and don't know anything about Wordpress and Joomla
- They like to be able to put text and images exactly where they want.
- For the really smart ones (and I don't know many in this category although I know they are out there) they know how to manipulate code so the page renders one way but the search engines spider it another. All designed for maximum SEO efficiency.
Maybe some of those people haven't evolved yet? Still living in an online cave.
I can remember not that long ago when WordPress wasn't a user friendly platform and don't get me started about Joomla 1.0.
Those early versions would have a person pulling their hair out trying to figure out how to use it.
BUT now days, there have been huge improvements in both WordPress and Joomla. They are both versatile and friendly and search engine lovable but best of all they have a huge following.
Demand encourages development.
There are literally hundreds if not thousands of plugins for both of these systems. A multitude of support forums, information sites, educational videos, etc all geared for those who want and need to learn more. These platforms can't help but evolve - people want them.
I've been really impressed lately with the quality of templates available for WordPress. It's no longer just a blogging platform. There are now many faces to WordPress. Its not my choice for a large scalable site but its holding its own in the big boy website market.
I remember in the early 90's I had a service online that sold horses via video listings. What I would have given to have access to something like WordPress or Joomla back then. Everything was hand coded.
The internet was young then but lots of people knew its value for research. I met a ton of interesting people with my horse sales site. When the producers of The 13th Warrior (it was originally called Eaters Of The Dead) were looking for horses, they called me. I didn't have horses that fit their needs but in the end they used riders from our local Pony club as extra's - great fun. All of it started with a connection through the internet.
Sorry, I'm getting a bit off topic and reminiscing a bit...
The bottom line... it's a lot easier today.
There is no excuse anymore for the newbie who doesn't have their own website up and running. By using Fantasico in your Cpanel its virtually stupid proof.
So what's your favorite website platform?
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