Web Page Editors
If you are going to build a Web site of any kind, the first thing you will need is a Web page editor. A Web page editor is a program that allows you to create your Web page. You can download some freeware and shareware ones online. You may want to try several different ones to find the one that is right for you.
There are two basic types of Web page editors. There are text editors and WYSIWYG editors. A text editor can be something as simple as the Note Pad program that comes with Windows. There are also more advanced text editors such as HomeSite and NoteTab. When using a text editor you must know how to use HTML.
A WYSIWYG is an editor that allows you to create the page without using HTML. WYSIWYG stands for "What You See Is What You Get" and that's exactly what it is. As you create the page you are seeing exactly what it will look like. One such editor is FrontPage 2000. It is very easy to use and will help you create a page in minutes.
Many of the online hosting services offer online editors of both kinds to help you create your Web page with them. Hosting will be discussed on the next page of this tutorial.
FTP Clients
If you use a Web page editor on your computer then you will need an FTP Client to get your page on the Internet. As with the editors there are many to choose from so make sure you find one that you like. You can find freeware and shareware FTP clients online.
HTML
Even though you don't absolutely need to know HTML to design a Web page it is the best way. There are many things you can do using a WYSIWYG editor but you can only go so far. If you really want to create great pages that move and sing then you will need to learn HTML.
A really great tutorial for learning HTML is the HTML 101 course given by About's HTML guide, Jennifer Kyrin. This is a free 10 week course that will be sent to you through the email. It covers basic HTML, text manipulation, lists, images, linking, tables, frames, and even an overview of forms. At the end of the course you will be given a test and if you pass the test you will receive a certificate.
