Ok I want to get a website up fast. I know basic html and have made a website. The website wasnt very sophisticated, but it did have a script for a shopping cart on it. With another script, it hooked up to a mysql database to store info on my products. So I sorta know what Im doing.

I've never used any type of web desinger software, and I want to know whats the best one to use. Also, would it also be benefical to use pre made templates? Could I use those in conjunction with some webdesigner software, is thats even possible? Im not going to use this website to sell anything, so i wont need a shopping cart etc, but I will want to have forums on it and other information. Its a site primarily designed to get hits. Help would be greatly apprieciated!

Chairman Kaga

I would reccomend that you pick up a copy of Dreamweaver if you have the money. In my opinion it is by far the best program out there and has all kinds of cool components and addons. It runs about 200 bucks or so though, so its an investment. You could also pick up Frontpage which alot of people use, but its another kinda crappy Micro$oft program, if you know what I mean. As for templates, there are many websites to choose from, and templates may be the way to go if you aren't planning on doing alot of design in the future. If you are, then get a design program like Dreamweaver. HTML Kit is a free program that I have used in the past as well. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that DW has, but has alot of free components that you can download and add for ASP, PHP, MySQL etc. Thats my advice.

Oh, also for forum software, check out PHPBB, Invision Board, and VBulletin (which is what Webmaster-Talk is built on.

Kaiman

Storm King Web Design and Graphics

yeah forum wise PHPBB and Yabb are free and theres always the free intergrated php sites post-nuke post-php xoops etc etc

VB is good but has a tag and if your going to get DW it maybe wise to get a free Forum for now as VB is also an investment in itself