Evaluating Web Editors
Module 5: Evaluating Web Editors - Boston
Wix
I have used Wix in the past and was not happy with their autosave feature. From using it in my past class I was liking it better so that is why I wanted to try this platform for my project. But I have to say I built my Module 5 project with a template and the free stock images on their site and I was pretty happy. I did have an autosave issue happen but I was able to find a semi-built out version so I was still happy with what I was able to create. I found one work around made it easier to edit: preview you site and position your screen where you want to make edits, then hit edit and you are right where you want to make changes. I also liked the Templates I think all of these web editors have upped their game to compete with Square. I have always purchased my domains from GoDaddy and then build my sites but the template are too good to not use (GoDaddy after much resistance because they were always the purist web developers go to - finally has created templates and similar ones to Square or Wordpress). You still have to develop the entire site and make design decisions but the functionality is really great. Also the responsiveness is pretty amazing. To make it more my own I would create perhaps an original logo, maybe some backgrounds or my own content (I did do this for my site) On the IDT site I used Jo Ann’s writing about the different sections of study in IDT. Some of the writing I created to be enticing but would tailor to the actual client or department.
Web editor practice website build for a design business
Module 5 - Boston Website 1 Personal
Web editor practice website build for IDT program
Module 5 - Boston Website 2 IDT Program
Google Sites
I started using Google Sites when my teacher in my last class Stephanie Moore knew I used Google Drive. She said have you used Google Sites. I noticed it in the apps but never used this program. Well I started using it to create a type of digital diary of all of my IDT projects for my class besides my Blogger Blog. I like some parts of Google Sites. I do like having everything in the Cloud and easily accessible but this is pretty common now. I don’t know if I like the templates that much. But it gives a neat storage for your html and is easily to add pages and upload quickly. Doesn’t (maybe I need to research more templates) seem to give as clean of a look at Wix or Square. I love the easy links, up-loadable html, it handles images great as all Google products do - because of their seamless cloud system. I do not like the block look of the design. It is pretty responsive as it scrolls nicely and creates a nice clean look. It reminds me of when I first used Wordpress templates. I think I prefer Blogger for my Blog/digital diary for IDT but I will keep because I want to continue to learn more about it as Google changes and updates.
https://sites.google.com/view/sheri-bostonid/home
Joomla
I put this in for extra…I could not figure this one out but I am intrigued. Although Joomla used to be a much used word for all of my developer/html designers I know it seems to be much more template based now? I might be incorrect. I set it all up downloaded, typed in my outline information and thought ok I don’t get it. Then I looked at the link in my email again and noticed it was a complete template laid out and saved I just need to plug and play and start building/developing. As time did not permit this I will revisit. I didn’t think it looked as slick at Wix or Square (when I say these I actually mean any clean and modern template - like Theme Islands say). I am kind of lumping these together as I think it is a bit of a competition between these companies to be the go to for companies. Stay tuned…I will try to look further into Joomla. Oh and I like the name - ha ha.
http://bostmag.joomla.com
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Joomla-so-complicated-to-learn
Wordpress
OK, so I must have about 4-5 wordpress.com/ wordpress.org websites. I have worked with Wordpress for awhile. The issues I used to have with wordpress is the clunky toggle apps etc. But it has cleaned itself up a bit. Probably also thanks to Wix and Square getting very popular. It was looking like Square was going to dominate the web developer and small business start-ups (because of their Square easy payment strip/platform - app) I remember when this first started it was so cool in my opinion. Wow I can just pay at an art fair for an object without taking money out or using a traditional cc machine. Well Square seemed like it would take over Wordpress for all bloggers, startups etc. But Square has some setbacks. I think they still need hosting? This might have changed. Well wordpress was always so cool because you could just have a website or blog up and going in one day without paying for anything. Wordpress is still very efficient. I just have always been not that fond of all of their “add this pay app” etc. I still think it is a viable option and pretty reliable. I didn’t to use it for the project but I did find a handful of my older word-press blogs. That was pretty fun. I am a little domain happy…I have numerous domains I keep through Godaddy.
https://bostmag.wordpress.com
Blogger
I like Blogger for the traditional Blog look and format. I don’t want this to look like my website. I want to enter items related to IDT. I like how Youtube immediately links up to my Blogger app for quick posting. I like the scroll column siting other Instructional Designers. It is like a journaling and diary for my time in graduate school. I like to make my posts related to mostly Instructional Design and Graphic Design. I put musical videos in because I am very into music and use to relax between studying and working. I don’t think Blogger is very user friendly. I think it can be quirky but it is very reliable for blogging. I think if you are not set on having to make everything perfect Blogger is a good way to start learning website development/design. It is also fun to see how far you have come learning wise.
https://sheribostonid.blogspot.com
Shopify
I name Shopify because I have had to transfer sites for customers from other sites to Shopify because they wanted to sell their wares. They did not only want to have a professional site and have a toggle type area to add items in the future but also a highly functional site that included a lot of pages and drop-downs. Also there is a good accounting system built into Shopify. It does really handle sales very well. If you are a web developer they are very helpful. You can also chat with them and they are such good communicators it is really a value. If you set up a developer account you can build the customers sites and then transfer over to them once you are done building. If you do this you can get a % of pay back for the sites you build from Shopify. I did this in the way that I set up as a developer but I did not partake in the % as I did not want to keep any ownership of this website because they wanted to be taught how to do small edits. I have been called on a couple times to make large changes and design type edits but they are pretty self sufficient at this point. Nice templates a little more back end developing knowledge is needed. The editing is a more complicated than Wix. Not as user friendly if you are new to web design but with time you could definitely get used to it’s interface. Also with the chat help and their very friendly customer service you can have your own online shop. A lot of my friends who had Etsy shops have transferred over to Shopify. I don’t know if it was because they wanted to not pay out a month % or they just wanted to be independent? I have an Etsy shop but have been to busy to build out. I have done all of the setup design and naming. I might start this soon. (Etsy) This is a great way to sell anything if you are good at knitting, antiques or even handmade cards. You can set up your own store pretty quickly. You do not have your own website but you are listed amongst other sellers and you have your own “cyber” shop.
Additional research articles to share on web building software. Insights from web developers and other software types. Not live links copy and paste if you are interested.
These are cited to the authors of each of these online sources.
Additional research on web building software:
https://www.thebest10websitebuilders.com/index.php/charts/1/best-website-builders?utm_source=google&utm_medium=build%2520website%255Ep%255E265338872599%255E1t1&utm_campaign=ma_thebest10websitebuilders.com_us-ca_b-p%255Ebld_build_a_website_2ka
https://www.capterra.com/website-builder-software/
12 Website Interface Design Tools in 2017
Summer 04/14/2017
https://www.mockplus.com/blog/post/website-interface-design-tool
https://www.dtelepathy.com/blog/business/14-best-tools-for-evaluating-user-experience
