Free Web Page Publishing Tools

Over 30 billion web pages exist in the World Wide Web, and there are many different ways to go about creating the web space that you need. Website publishing tools can be used to create sites for businesses, nonprofits, personal use and everything in-between. Completely free tools are available to everyone who takes the time to learn about establishing an online presence, and some of them include design platforms, HTML editors, WYSIWYG editors and graphic utilities.

Types

There are many different types of free web page publishing tools out there for the public to use, and each one does something different. Web design platforms like Content Management Systems allow the end-user to manage all the information that will be displayed on a website. HTML editors and authoring tools allow the publisher to dynamically change the appearance and layout of the site by changing codes. Graphic tools allows the publisher to create exciting and colorful graphic elements to be displayed on websites.

Design Platforms

There are many different free web design platforms that anyone can use in order to create a great-looking website. Two of the major ones include Wordpress and Joomla, which are both web page design platforms that allow the user to add, remove and edit content, pictures and other media on a website. These types of web design platforms use widgets and other Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) to allow the end user to change the appearance of the website to her preference. Other free tools that are similar, but limited in functionality and usually include some type of free hosting, include Weebly and Moonfruit.

HTML Editors

Specialized software known as HTML editors can be used to edit and create websites using HTML markup and other codes. There are free HTML programs available that allow full editing of the code and other web development languages like CSS or PHP. In addition, free HTML programs such as Freeway and KompoZer are actually WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editors that allow for visual editing of website pages.

Graphics Utilities

Graphics utilities can be used in conjunction with web page publishing tools in order to create unique and personalized logos, graphics and pictures. Paid tools available for this type of work include Adobe's Photoshop, but there are freely distributed graphic utilities as well. Free graphic utilities such as GIMP and others allow for photo-retouching, illustrations, animations and colorful logo designs.

Considerations

It is entirely possible to create outstanding websites for businesses or personal use with completely free web page authoring tools. However, there is usually a steep learning curve involved if you are relatively new to the Internet. For example, using Joomla and Wordpress is relatively simple, but you must first know how to register a domain name and purchase web hosting. Free HTML editors are another resource to use, but involve knowing how to read code and create HTML documents. Learning all programs and utilities combined, expect to spend a great deal reading about what they do and how to use them.

References

• Boutell.Com

Resources

• Web Developer's Journal