Easy to Use Software to Build a Website on a Mac?

[kmoran]

I am seeking recommendations for Mac compatible software for creating a professional looking website for my business. I'm a scientist, not a software person, so I don't want to do any fancy coding, and I don't want or need anything complicated (i.e., not Dreamweaver). I'm particularly eager to find software that has previously worked well with Sonic hosting, since Sonic hosts my website and domain name. Thank you!

[cdkeen]

I'm particularly eager to find software that has previously worked well with Sonic hosting, since Sonic hosts my website and domain name. Thank you!

Have you considered using the software we provide (Wordpress) as an optional (free!) part of the hosting you already have?

You can get your site up and running by using the one click installer in Member Tools:
https://members.sonic.net/websites/addons/wordpress/

Sorry for the delayed response! Please let me know if you need additional assistance.

Thanks for choosing Sonic.net!

[kmoran]

I'm looking to create a website for my business, not a blog. Wordpress is for blogs. Please help me identify software for a real website. For example, what is the Sonic experience with RapidWeaver?

[cdkeen]

Wordpress is a content management system which allows you to create an interactive website of any kind, including a blog or a business website (see http://wordpress.org/showcase/). I would advise you to do more research as there are many options available, however they all require at least a basic understanding of web programming, or consider hiring a web developer to simplify the process. Good luck!

[tikvah]

I use both Dreamweaver and Wordpress, using my Mac to connect with Sonic. I know you said you didn't want Dreamweaver but it works very well and isn't hard to use. It can be pricey but it's worth it. It's true that Wordpress can be used to make a site that looks like a regular website. The basic trick to it is to make the homepage a static one, not the latest set of posts. The advantages to WP are that your visitors can subscribe via RSS and then get any new or changed pages (this can be really useful) and it's free! Disadvantages are it's hard to get formatting just so, though with the right theme (spend some time researching themes), it is a lot easier.

In my experience, it doesn't matter if you use a Mac or a PC when transferring your website files to an ISP. Most ISPs are UNIX based anyway. I have not found that Sonic or anyone else does better or worse with specific software. The software matters, but the ISP doesn't, as long as it does the basic stuff and allows FTP. The ISP matters for other things of course, just not for choosing web design software.

Cyndi