WHAT IS A WEBSITE?
A website is a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name and published on at least one web server. Notable examples are wikipedia.org, google.com, and amazon.com. All publicly accessible websites collectively constitute the World Wide Web.
WHAT IS DREAM WEAVER CS6?
The need for personal and business websites is growing as the Internet becomes the place where we do business, network, and socialize. However, having a website designed by a professional can be expensive. On the flip side, designing it yourself can prove an impossible task if you don’t have at least the basic HTML or CSS knowledge required to customize website templates in various HTML editors.
Dreamweaver CS6 is a software solution that comes bundled with the Adobe Creative Suite family of software or as a standalone program.
Dreamweaver allows you to create professional looking, stunning websites even if you don’t know the first thing about HTML or CSS when you start using it. What’s more, creating websites can be as easy as clicking your mouse on the various commands and tools that you’ll find in the Dreamweaver program.
The Difference between Dreamweaver and HTML Editors
If you Google software programs that help you design websites, you’ll find a lot of choices out there. However, you can break down those choices into three categories: programs similar to Dreamweaver, HTML editors, and Dreamweaver itself.
The truth is that Adobe has mastered the market on all things related to graphics, such as Flash, PDF files, photo editing, digital illustrations, and (yes) website creation. Adobe software isn’t cheap to purchase, but the benefits equal or outweigh the price. Adobe programs, including Dreamweaver, offer ease-of-use and requires very little technical knowledge to use at a basic level. In other words, if you played around with Dreamweaver chances are you would be able to figure out enough to successfully use the program for very basic website design.
Other programs that may be similar to Dreamweaver are copy-cat variations. You’ll find they offer a lot of the same features (commands and tools), but they either require more technical knowledge, aren’t easy or effective to use, or their interfaces are so confusing, you can’t figure out how to use the program. The allure of these programs is their lower cost, but they just don’t offer the same benefits that Dreamweaver offers all users, regardless of skill level.
The third choice you have when you want to design your own websites is an HTML editor. You can Google these and find numerous ones you can use, some for free and some for very low cost. However, HTML editors are simply editors. They allow you to edit the HTML in website templates to customize them and make them your own. This means you must at least have very basic HTML knowledge to use most of the HTML editors on the market today.Who Uses Dreamweaver?
Dreamweaver is not a basic website design software program. The little said about Dreamweaver may lead you to believe that it’s a basic program designed for the beginner. But that would not be true.
Dreamweaver’s interface and tools are easy enough to use (once you learn how) that someone who has never designed a website before can do so successfully with this program. That said, Dreamweaver also has advanced tools and features that allow you to add more form and function to your websites as you learn to use more and more of the program.
That said, it’s true that people with absolutely no programming knowledge use Dreamweaver to create websites. However, professional website designers and developers also use Dreamweaver because the tools and commands it offers makes their job easier and saves time over writing complex code for a website by hand. Your skill level with the program will determine how much you can do with it and how complex (and beautiful) of websites that you can create.Dreamweaver CS6 versus Dreamweaver CC?
With the release of the latest version of Dreamweaver, there is a lot of confusion and some questions. Which version is truly the latest version? Which version is better? What are the differences?
Let’s answer the questions.
Dreamweaver CS6 is the latest version of Dreamweaver that comes packaged with Adobe Creative Suite 6. You can also purchase it as a standalone product. Dreamweaver CS6 can be bought in office supply stores or ordered online as a CD. It can also be downloaded from the Adobe site. When you do so, you will also purchase a license to use it. Once you pay for Dreamweaver CS6, it is yours to use for as long as you wish. You never have to pay for it again unless you decide to upgrade.
Dreamweaver CC is part of Adobe’s new Creative Cloud. Creative Cloud is subscription based, which means you pay a monthly fee to use Dreamweaver, as well as other programs you can find in Creative Suite. Dreamweaver CC is downloaded to your computer the same as CS6. Once you download the program, you do not need Internet access to use it.
You can only use Dreamweaver CC for as long as you pay your subscription fees. The Creative Cloud version of Dreamweaver is a bit different from the Creative Suite version in menu options and methods used to complete tasks. However, this simply relates to the move from basic HTML in web design to CSS.
If you use both CS6 and CC, you’ll discover that Adobe is putting focus on modernizing CC more than CS6. This is because Adobe has rumored plans to switch all its programs to Creative Cloud on a permanent basis and do away with Creative Suite. You’ll still be able to purchase a license (as you do with Creative Suite), but you will do it through the Creative Cloud programs.Myths Regarding Dreamweaver CS6 and CCInterested in learning more? Why not take an online class in Dreamweaver?
There are a few myths circulating about the two latest versions of the popular software program. Let’s dispel these myths , especially if you are trying to decide which version of the program you want to use.
WHAT IS A DATA DRIVEN WEBSITE
Definition of A Data-Driven Website
Data check. A data driven website is a website that can easily be updated by the managers of the website. The website is created to display new content to users and customers based on the data analyzed. It is different than a static website that is only updated once. A data-driven website will continue to be updated as new information and data are provided.
Yes, a data-driven website will require more work. However, the results your business will receive will speak for themselves.
Elements of a Data-Driven Website
Okay, we are all on the same page when it comes to data-driven websites. We can now look at the meat of the website and consider what elements are going to be needed in our new website build.
1. Have a Hypothesis
Odds are that you are looking to redesign your website because something is not working. Maybe your brand message is not being communicated, maybe your website needs a modern look, or maybe it is finally time to embrace mobile users.
Whatever the reason you are redesigning your website, you have a theory about how a new website will make it better. Start your data-driven website design with a hypothesis. Don’t just redesign your website because someone at the local Chamber of Commerce said it is time.
2. Provide Both Qualitative and Qualitative Data
You have a hypothesis about your new data driven website. You know there is a problem and have an idea about how to fix the problem. It is time to start testing both qualitative and quantitative data to show you the right solution.
A simple user testing site or full customer research will give you the qualitative data needed to move forward. You can also create test landing pages to get the qualitative data needed to make the right decisions.
In order to have a true data-driven website, the testing never stops. Testing should be part of your overall marketing strategy to get the right outcomes and results. Use both qualitative and quantitative data to push your data-driven website to the next level. It is time to convert traffic into leads.
3. Designed & Developed Based on Customer Research
One of the biggest problems with website design is that we try to copy a look that we like. We try to mimic a style from another company in our industry. This leads to a nice looking website that missed the true reason for your website, creating a digital home for your company. Your website is your digital real estate ,make sure that it is unique just like your company.
Build your website based on the feedback, research, and conversation with you customers (qualitative data). Your customers are the reason you need a website, not because someone told you that you need one. You need to be able to provide information that they are looking for. Start with the end in mind and build a data driven website that connects with your customers.
4. Your Website Continues to Evolve
If you are like the majority of business websites out there, you have a static website that never changes. Why would we add new content? You are probably also wondering where the traffic is.
Well, a data-driven website is going to continue to evolve through new headlines, updated product pages, or even just a blog (most common). The data your website provides will dictate the changes that need to happen to increase traffic, conversion, and revenue.
5. Use a Content Management System
I know what you are thinking. This all sounds great, but I do not want to wait on the designer to update pages every time I need to change a headline. Introducing the CMS (content management system).
A content management system CMS is a software application or set of related programs that are used to create and manage digital content. This will make it easy for you or anyone on your team to update your website.
Here are a couple content management systems you can use.
- WordPress
- Drupal
- Craft CMS
- SquareSpace
- Or a customized system for your business.
6. Connected to a Database
In order to gather data on individual users, it is important to connect your website to a database. By connecting your website to a database you get the opportunity to store data you are using in your marketing efforts. This is the best way to monitor user behavior on your website and determine if you need to make any changes.
If you are not able to connect to a database, then make sure that you at least have Google analytics on your website. This will give you a high-level look at quantitative data you need to make changes to your website structure and content.
A database is also the base for your marketing automation efforts and lead nurturing campaigns.
7. Include Closed-Loop Analytics
Your data-driven website starts and ends with analytics. In order to track and monitor the data needed for your website start with Google Analytics. By installing this piece of code, you will be able to gather more data about your users than you ever thought possible.
Take it a step further with closed-loop analytics. According to Hubspot closed loop analyticslends insight into the entire customer lifecycle — from the time they first interact with you to the time they become a customer. It helps tremendously with Sales and Marketing alignment because you can actually see what activities are most likely to yield a customer — “closing the loop” on your marketing efforts.
Closed-loop analytics are important to know what is driving revenue or real dollars from your website. This will allow your marketing and sales to align on needs from the website and drive the results you expect from your website.
8. Include a Call-To-Action
A call-to-action simply tells your website user what you expect them to do. The call-to-action is important in the conversion process from website visitor into a lead. The calls to action will help you understand what is converting visitors to leads. These are great data points for your data-driven website. It is also a marketing best practice to include a strong call-to-action in your marketing messages.
Importance of a Data-Driven Website
As you can see there is a big difference between a data-driven website and a static website. The importance of a data-driven website comes down to three points.
1. Able to Map the Customer Journey
The path the customer takes to purchase is a very valuable piece of marketing material. A data-driven website will give you the ability to monitor the buyer from the first touch (how the customer found your business i.e. Google, Social, Event, Referral, etc.) through the actual purchase. Analyzing the source (Google, social media, or other events) will let your team know how to get more leads for sales to close.
2. Measure and Analyze your Marketing Efforts
Using a data driven website will allow your business to measure and analyze your marketing efforts. The information from your website will allow your business to invest in the right marketing tactics. The tactics that result in real revenue, not just fancy stats like impression, hits, or engagement. This allows you to drive real revenue from both inbound and outbound marketing, a holistic marketing approach.
3. Grow your Revenue
The goal of any company is to grow revenue and increase marketing effectiveness. After you measure and analyze your marketing efforts, you are going to be smarter about the dollars you invest in marketing. Maybe, you even double down on the marketing tactics that are working. Don’t just assume your marketing tactics are working, really know what is working and not working in order to grow your revenue.
Dreamweaver is a popular and well-known web editor or web design software used by both experienced and inexperienced webmasters to design websites. It uses what is known as a “WYSIWYG” interface (where “WYSIWYG” stands for “What You See Is What You Get”), meaning that you can create your website visually and see the results on your computer monitor as you work.
Things You Need
- Install Dreamweaver cs6
- A testing server eg Xampp server or Wamp server
- A webhost for hosting your website.
- Click on Xampp server,click on explorer,click on htdocs and create a folder in the name of your site.
After getting all these things ready,you then do the following:
1.Click on dream weaver
2.Go to dreamweaver sites
3.Name your site
4. On the http side,use localhost/the name of your site
5.Click use server technology,select php mysql
6.On the ftp,choose local network
7. On the server folder,choose localhost/the name of your site
8. On the web url choose your site folder you previously created in xampp
9.click ok and your site will appear at the right corner of dreamweaver
10.Right click on your site and click on new file,type index.php as the index page.you use the same method to create about us page and others
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