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Developing
a successful web site takes a great deal of planning and preparation.
An important part of your preparation is obtaining the essential tools
of the trade.
HTML Editors
An HTML editor is a software program used to create and edit HTML documents.
Although some Internet marketers prefer to
write their own HTML code, most prefer to use an HTML editor, as it can
greatly simplify a somewhat difficult process. However, using an HTML
editor has its disadvantages, as some editors have a tendency to add a
lot of unnecessary coding and may not support the latest technologies.
Whether you will be writing your own HTML or
using an editor, taking the time to learn HTML is very important. Not
only will you gain your independence, but you'll also have the ability
to add special effects that many HTML editors don't support.
Here are some popular HTML editors:
Macromedia Dreamweaver - A popular WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) HTML editor -- great for beginners and advanced users alike.
Coffee Cup
- A popular HTML editor that's great for beginners as well as advanced
users -- includes a built in browser that will enable you to instantly
preview your HTML as you go.
Text Editors
A text editor is a software program used for
editing plain text that doesn't add any special formatting.
If you're considering writing your own HTML
code, you'll need a good text editor. Although it will certainly be
more time consuming, your code will be much cleaner and can reduce your
file size considerably.
In addition to using a text editor to write
HTML, it can also be used to edit scripts and write articles.
If you have a Windows operating system, Note
Pad is the preferred text editor. It should already be installed on
your computer.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol, better known as FTP,
is a procedure used to upload and download files to and from your web
server.
Although many HTML editors will enable you to edit and transfer pages
to your server, an FTP program is still an essential tool, as you must
have complete control over the files on your server.
An FTP program will enable you to upload scripts, set file permissions,
create folders and transfer files to and from your server.
In order to use FTP, you'll need to download and install a software
program on your computer. The most widely used FTP program is WS FTP Pro.
Graphics Editor
A graphics editor is a software program that
will enable you to design and edit graphics.
Graphic design is an intimidating subject for
many Internet entrepreneurs. However, most of us must learn some basic
design techniques in order to avoid the high costs of hiring a
professional designer.
Zip/Unzip Software
A Zip file is an "archive" of one or more files compressed into one file for easy distribution.
Zip files are used to compress and transport file archives over the
Internet. It is the preferred method used for electronic file
distribution, as rather than downloading several different files, you
can simply download one Zip file. In addition, the download time will
be minimized, as the files within the Zip archive are compressed.
Once a Zip file is downloaded, it can be easily opened and extracted
(unzipped) with a Zip/Unzip software program.
Although there are many Zip software programs available on the
Internet, WinZip is the most popular. WinZip makes working with file
archives simple. It features an easy point-and-click, drag-and-drop
interface for viewing, extracting, adding, deleting and testing
archived files.
Email
Although most Internet Service Providers
include email accounts for their customers, these accounts aren't
adequate for an Internet business -- especially if you get a large
amount of email. Not only do the email addresses contain your ISP's
name, but they are also very limited on features and options.
The two most popular email clients used online are Outlook and Eudora.
These programs will enable you to download email from your server and
offer features, such as sorting and filtering, and will enable you to
easily organize your email messages. What's more, your email address
will be your own domain -- not someone else's.
Your webmaster toolbox will play an important
part in your success. Take the time to ensure your toolbox contains
these essential tools and you'll be well on your way to designing a
professional web site.
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