The first program I ever used for web layout was Adobe PageMaker,and it was hellish. I was trying to learn how to use PhotoShop at the same time, and it seemed like neither of them would do what they were supposed to do-I'd scan something, and it would show up seven or eight times larger than I'd expected; or I'd accidentally turn something green or black, or cut off a huge chunk of my picture, or all of my text would be smashed up against the top of the page. I don't remember being that frustrated since learning how to talk for the first time.

Six or seven months later, the internet company I worked for sent all of the editors to a introductory HTML class at Salt Lake Community College. Like a lot of people, I was intimidated by HTML, which is why I started out with a WYSIWYG editor. Coding is definitely more time-consuming, but it's easier (because it's logical) and is much more precise. I remember wishing that I'd learned how to code before I'd started blindly messing around with PageMaker, not only because PageMaker had nearly given me a stress ulcer, but I'd wasted so much time feeling around in the dark and feeling like an idiot. I had no idea this whole thing was really so easy.

Not that I'm patient enough to code from scratch; no way. I use Dreamweaver. The problem with Dreamweaver, of course (and lots of other WYSIWYG programs) is they have their quirks. Anyone who plans on maintaining a professional web page should get themselves over to the library, or to their local community college and take an HTML class (there are also some good tutorials on the web, though they're probably less effective than an actual human being who can help you as soon as you run into trouble). With some sharp HTML skills, you'll not only be able to troubleshoot your own web page problems, but you'll have absolute control over your pages; you'll be able to create the page you see in your head, instead of resigning yourself to the page you happen to end up with after messing around on your computer for hours and hours.

Dreamweaver and HomeSite together make a powerful web-building toolbox (you can download a 30-day trial version of HomeSite at www.allaire.com). Dreamweaver is a pretty easy program to use to get your basic elements in place, but HomeSite allows you to fine-tune your code, do a global "search and replace" to edit your pages for consistency, as well as spell-check your text.
Anyone can put a page up on the web; if you're a master of HTML, you'll be able to take full control of the look, feel and functionality of your pages.

About the Author

Stefene Russell is a freelance writer living in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has worked as a print journalist and as Senior Content Producer for citysearch.com. She is currently Dr. Kevin Nunley's in-house website expert, providing site analysis to e-businesses. For a free website analysis, email her at stefene@drnunley.com or
for a detailed analysis, visit http://www.fixmywebsite.com/analysis.htm