Can anyone recommend.......

[Namibia]

I need to make 2 websites but do not want to purchase an expensive complicated program, but still need a polished look. I have downloaded a couple of trial programs and still have not found a solution. Can anyone recommend an easy to operate program which I can download (and of course pay for) for novices like me. Not that I am trying to take work away from professionals but at this stage the business does not warrant the cost involved with a professional service.

 

[Big Mike]

What about just buying a ready-made template? There are many, many to choose from and they will likely look more polished than something you make yourself.

If you do want to make your own...there are plenty of cheap or free programs. For example, many web hosting companies have a free web building program, that you can use when you sign up.

Maybe have a look at HTML Editor, Flash & Web Design Software | CoffeeCup Software

 

[clarinetJWD]

Template seems like your way to go here. You could also make a Wordpress.org blog, and just use it as a standard website. It has support for static pages, galleries, etc, and tons of freely available themes.

The alternate budget friendly method is what I chose, but it requires a bit more commitment. I got myself a good text editor (Notepad++ is excellent on Windows), and set out to learn HTML and CSS. It took me a while, but I'm now 3 versions into my site, and I dare say it looks pretty polished. It is a big time commitment to learn how to code, but certainly worth it.

Another good choice for an editor is NetBeans IDE. It's free and cross-platform. It's a Java editor primarily, but it has support for a wide variety of languages, including HTML and CSS, and because I'm familiar with it through Java, I use it for everything I can these days!

 

[Namibia]

Thanks for the very helpful feedback. Will first try the template...... code is another whole project which I am not ready for yet! The uploading program I have is coffee cup and works fine for me.