![HTML Kit is another great choice for a web design program. Not only is it "standard compliant" but you can preview your design inside the editor as you work, on your computer, tablet and smart phone. HTML Kit includes shortcuts and plug ins to allow you to customize the program to meet your needs. Available in Windows and Mac systems (can be run in Linux with WINE)](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/69/7a/697acfe4a61927bd9b509d971942fb7a.png?itok=hwFXlWdm "HTML Kit is another great choice for a web design program. Not only is it "standard compliant" but you can preview your design inside the editor as you work, on your computer, tablet and smart phone. HTML Kit includes shortcuts and plug ins to allow you to customize the program to meet your needs. Available in Windows and Mac systems (can be run in Linux with WINE)"){kind=small}
![Aptana is the most full featured application on the list, but it is also probably not the best choice for someone just starting out or someone who is more "visual". This software package does not include a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. If you are comfortable working in notepad, however, it's a great choice. Not only can you work with HTML and CSS but also HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Ruby, Rails, PHP and Python. Oh, and it is free.It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux systems. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/8c/e4/8ce4105c5d25a8fba614b0ba61e5c549.png?itok=0GKIUL8K "Aptana is the most full featured application on the list, but it is also probably not the best choice for someone just starting out or someone who is more "visual". This software package does not include a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. If you are comfortable working in notepad, however, it's a great choice. Not only can you work with HTML and CSS but also HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Ruby, Rails, PHP and Python. Oh, and it is free.It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux systems. "){kind=small}
![KompoZer is a full featured program that combines web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web authoring. KompoZer is great for new or visual users who want to see things "as they happen." Many of the features found in this program rival the big guys like Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression. Kompozer is available for Windows, Mac and Linux based systems.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/6b/e1/6be1a9fa1e44d66542d9944a8ae35cb7.png?itok=DTapRehC "KompoZer is a full featured program that combines web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web authoring. KompoZer is great for new or visual users who want to see things "as they happen." Many of the features found in this program rival the big guys like Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression. Kompozer is available for Windows, Mac and Linux based systems.")
Choosing a web design program can be a confusing process for a budding web designer. There are so many different programs available that can all do the job, depending on what you want to do. Some programs are geared towards advanced users while others are better for the novice.
Popular programs like Dreamweaver are great products, that allow the user a lot of flexibility. There is a reason that DW and the like are so popular: they make designing easy. However, they come with a hefty price tag. Notepad and other text editors that usually come bundled in your operating system are free but not always best for the beginner.
Some factors to consider when choosing your software are: price, ease of use, and system compatibility. With some programs you will work directly with code, and it is great to jump right in and start learning what all those seemingly nonsensical symbols and lines of markup mean. Working directly within the HTML or CSS allows for much cleaner code with less errors.
Some folks are just not cut out for that route and do better with a "WYSIWYG" (what you see is what you get) editor. These programs allow you to design in an environment similar to that of a word processor.
A word on using "Word" and it's counterparts: It is possible to design in programs such as Microsoft Word and the like, but this is definitely not the way to go as word processing programs are meant for print and aren't up to par when it comes to coding. Not only are they not standards-compliant, but they add a lot of extra, unwanted "stuff" to your code.
![KompoZer is a full featured program that combines web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web authoring. KompoZer is great for new or visual users who want to see things "as they happen." Many of the features found in this program rival the big guys like Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression. Kompozer is available for Windows, Mac and Linux based systems.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/d0/52/d052bdd1091a51869bcb87004f52cdca.png?itok=WhP44n9q "KompoZer is a full featured program that combines web file management and easy-to-use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) web authoring. KompoZer is great for new or visual users who want to see things "as they happen." Many of the features found in this program rival the big guys like Dreamweaver and Microsoft Expression. Kompozer is available for Windows, Mac and Linux based systems.")
![Aptana is the most full featured application on the list, but it is also probably not the best choice for someone just starting out or someone who is more "visual". This software package does not include a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. If you are comfortable working in notepad, however, it's a great choice. Not only can you work with HTML and CSS but also HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Ruby, Rails, PHP and Python. Oh, and it is free.It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux systems. ](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/d6/63/d66317c9b48a740a4c1d0c0d1c6c44aa.png?itok=L84UtjR3 "Aptana is the most full featured application on the list, but it is also probably not the best choice for someone just starting out or someone who is more "visual". This software package does not include a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. If you are comfortable working in notepad, however, it's a great choice. Not only can you work with HTML and CSS but also HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Ruby, Rails, PHP and Python. Oh, and it is free.It is available for Windows, Mac and Linux systems. ")
![HTML Kit is another great choice for a web design program. Not only is it "standard compliant" but you can preview your design inside the editor as you work, on your computer, tablet and smart phone. HTML Kit includes shortcuts and plug ins to allow you to customize the program to meet your needs. Available in Windows and Mac systems (can be run in Linux with WINE)](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/14/2a/142a0bf782ecc4017fd8368ec96ec529.png?itok=-AkoiMlM "HTML Kit is another great choice for a web design program. Not only is it "standard compliant" but you can preview your design inside the editor as you work, on your computer, tablet and smart phone. HTML Kit includes shortcuts and plug ins to allow you to customize the program to meet your needs. Available in Windows and Mac systems (can be run in Linux with WINE)")
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