3 Web Design Options: Which is Right for You?
- By Cheow Yu Yuan
- Published 05/25/2011
- Web Design
- Unrated
When it comes to designing a new website, you have three basic options:
* Purchase a template or theme that is already designed for you.
* Use an HTML editor to have a bit more control over your design.
* Learn HTML code and have complete control over your design.
Learning HTML code used to be the only option. You had to know this code if you wanted to set up a website because the market for predesigned templates and themes simply was not there yet. Today, editing programs and themes have come a long way, but many still believe that the only way to set up the perfect website is to learn at least some HTML code.
Templates/Themes
A template or theme is a predesigned website that is sold to more than one person. They can be used as-is after purchase, but most people customize them to create something more unique for their own site.
While just slapping up a template or theme already designed for you is incredibly simple and does away with the need to learn HTML, it doesn't give you a unique design for your website only. Others are likely using that theme or template, which means your website will not be unique.
You can change that by customizing the template or theme, which takes a bit more technical knowledge and de-simplifies the process. You are also severely limiting the amount of control you have over your design when you use these templates and themes.
HTML Editors
You can use a good HTML editor like Dreamweaver to get some of the control over your design
back into your own hands. These programs make it easier to create your design. You essentially work in a program that is about as easy to use as Microsoft Word. Most people can figure these out and you don't need to be an HTML expert to get the most out of an editor.
The problem here is you are still limited in some ways. You have to stay within the options of your editor and don't have complete freedom to create whatever vision comes into your mind while designing.
Many people like HTML editors because they give enough control to whip up a great website in limited amounts of time. Others feel too confined with these programs because they don't have complete control over the design process.
Learning HTML
Learning HTML is the only way to have 100% control over the design of your website. Yes, learning this takes some time and is more difficult for some than others. Yet, it is the only way to go if you want the vision in your head to be translated just perfectly onto the computer screen.
If time is your concern, ten consider the fact that it takes a bit of time to learn how most high quality HTML editors operate as well. Maybe not as much time, but if you want any amount of control over the design process there is going to be a learning curve so you are prepared to handle that control.
If you only want one really good website and have no plans to start other sites, then hiring a professional web designer who already knows HTML is probably your best bet. If you are interested in starting multiple websites in the future, then hiring a designer to get the first one started for you while you learn HTML to create the others is the best bet.
* Purchase a template or theme that is already designed for you.
* Use an HTML editor to have a bit more control over your design.
* Learn HTML code and have complete control over your design.
Learning HTML code used to be the only option. You had to know this code if you wanted to set up a website because the market for predesigned templates and themes simply was not there yet. Today, editing programs and themes have come a long way, but many still believe that the only way to set up the perfect website is to learn at least some HTML code.
Templates/Themes
A template or theme is a predesigned website that is sold to more than one person. They can be used as-is after purchase, but most people customize them to create something more unique for their own site.
While just slapping up a template or theme already designed for you is incredibly simple and does away with the need to learn HTML, it doesn't give you a unique design for your website only. Others are likely using that theme or template, which means your website will not be unique.
You can change that by customizing the template or theme, which takes a bit more technical knowledge and de-simplifies the process. You are also severely limiting the amount of control you have over your design when you use these templates and themes.
HTML Editors
You can use a good HTML editor like Dreamweaver to get some of the control over your design
The problem here is you are still limited in some ways. You have to stay within the options of your editor and don't have complete freedom to create whatever vision comes into your mind while designing.
Many people like HTML editors because they give enough control to whip up a great website in limited amounts of time. Others feel too confined with these programs because they don't have complete control over the design process.
Learning HTML
Learning HTML is the only way to have 100% control over the design of your website. Yes, learning this takes some time and is more difficult for some than others. Yet, it is the only way to go if you want the vision in your head to be translated just perfectly onto the computer screen.
If time is your concern, ten consider the fact that it takes a bit of time to learn how most high quality HTML editors operate as well. Maybe not as much time, but if you want any amount of control over the design process there is going to be a learning curve so you are prepared to handle that control.
If you only want one really good website and have no plans to start other sites, then hiring a professional web designer who already knows HTML is probably your best bet. If you are interested in starting multiple websites in the future, then hiring a designer to get the first one started for you while you learn HTML to create the others is the best bet.
Cheow Yu Yuan
# 1 leading web design Singapore agency. Check out Interactive@OOm now.
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