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Kelsey Simms
200 PointsHelp a newb: beyond knowledge of HTML, CSS, etc... what tools/software are needed to build a website?
So obviously you need to understand HTML, CSS, Java, and whatever other languages depending on how complex you want your site to be. However, past this point... what's next? I know you have to buy hosting for a domain you choose, but how do you actually make the website? What software/tools/etc do you need and recommend?
I come from experience of messing around with Angelfire in the mid 90s, and that's where my knowledge ends. I'm sure there have been a ton of advancements since then, and even more things I simply don't understand because Angelfire was a "For Dummies" version of building a true website.
Sorry if my thread makes no sense. I've always wanted to get into web design as a personal hobby, and I'm pretty much at Step 1.
5 Answers
James Barnett
39,199 PointsThe actual tools to make a very simple website are quite simple. You need a text editor that supports syntax highlighting and ftp client that supports SFTP.
Using notepad++ and filezilla are 2 of the best free choices on Windows.
Michael Wiss
19,233 PointsI would get a nice text editor like Sublime Text or Text Mate, an FTP client to upload the files and a github account. Later on I'd get sketch or photoshop, and something like mamp. And good headphones.
Kelsey Simms
200 PointsAll of this assumes you have registered your domain, and signed up for web hosting, right?
James Barnett
39,199 PointsMichael Wiss has some great advice. Since you didn't tell us your OS here are a few additional notes.
Text Mate is Mac Only.
Both Sublime Text & Text Mate are great pieces of software however they both cost money are you don't need to spend that money up front for your first website.
MAMP is great for testing PHP websites locally on a Mac. If you are on Windows check out XAMPP, when you decide to build backend apps.
If you are in need of photoshop, the Creative Cloud offers a yearly subscription rather than buying it upfront.
Michael Wiss
19,233 Pointsyeah. http://asmallorange.com/ comes highly recommended around here.
Kelsey Simms
200 PointsThanks. So if I get a good text editor, is there still a need for a fancy-pants web authoring tool like DreamWeaver, or is that depending on how fancy you want the site to be?
James Barnett
39,199 PointsA small orange is awesome we even have a thread about it.
A Small Orange has a plan that's $21 twice a year ($42/year)
Michael Wiss
19,233 PointsNo, that's definitely overkill and an out of date tool. You'll be learning the "right way" at treehouse and that means writing most of your code as opposed to using a WYSIWYG. You'll have more control writing your own code too.
Kelsey Simms
200 PointsPerfect. Yeah, I definitely want to have control. I want to create a website using the skills I'm learning here, plus be able to show a fairly good website to someone and say "I created all you see here". I don't want most of it to come from an out-of-the-box software that has "plug and play" for most of the design/coding.
Jimmy Hsu
6,511 PointsDon't avoid tools just because they have a WYSIWYG, but more so because they obscure what is actually happening in the background.
Sublime Text is actually an "unlimited free trial" and just asks you repeatedly if you would like to buy it every 50 so saves. Being that it's also cross platform, it makes for the best choice overall despite the nagging.
An alternative to A Small Orange would be Bluehost. They have some of the best customer service and price combination I've experienced for a big box host.
If you'd like to get more into the nitty-gritty of server administration, I would learn some basic linux commands, look up into nginx instead of apache as a host, and try running your own linux server or get a VPS like http://digitialocean.com/http://vpscheap.net
Keep in mind the nitty-gritty stuff should be saved for when you feel comfortable managing the server with an interface or if you feel confident in a command line. When you start serious development with PHP and Ruby, you'll come to realize cpanel or whatever interface your host uses may not provide enough control or access to crucial parts for your app.
Kelsey Simms
200 PointsHow does everyone feel about iPages as a host? I looked at some Top 10 hosting review articles and it ranks pretty high. Also it's pretty cheap - even with some protection and extra fluff built in it's about $50/year.