Best options for life (gulp) after iWeb...

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Level 1

35 points

Best options for life (gulp) after iWeb...

Hey Gang,

Been using iWeb since its inception. I've learned to love it.

Well- with the begining of iCloud and the transition away from MobileMe I see the writing on the wall. I realize alot of people will continue to use iWeb but I want to be proactive as I have several business websites created on my iMac.

About 2 years ago I had a strange backup issue and lost everything. I nearly switched off of iWeb at that time but I just loved it too much.

I want to start making the switch sooner than later as I know that Apple will eventually not support iWeb. It's only a matter of time before there is some quirk with a new OS version and it probably just won't open or whatever it may be...

So- yesterday I spent 12 hours and tried out each of these sites: Wix, Snappages, Webs, Intuit Websites, Weebly, Yola, Google Sites, Jimdo, Roxer, Neosites, Vistaprint, Moonfruit, and Squarespace.

They all left ALOT to be desired except Squarespace. I think it has potential.

As an alternative, I also downloaded Adobe Muse and did not like it at all. I used Rapidweaver in the past and didn't think much of it. I see their new version is packed with tons of extra costs- no thanks!

I'm left with Sandvox which I am going to try today.

Here's my question: What do you folks suggest? Moving away from actual software (Sandvox)? Transitioning to web-based (Squarespace) ? I really like the drag/drop functionality of iWeb but realize I might have to make some concessions!

A concern is working on multiple sites that reside on my comouter and constantly having to backup. I might be creating 2-3 more sites for friends so that would mean I have close to 10. Do I really want to do that and essentially become a webmaster? No so sure.

I welcome all suggestions!

PS- I'm not a newbie but I also have not created and uploaded via an ftp/host. I do however have domains etc...

I'd like to do what is easiest and makes the most sense in the long run..

D

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Oct 19, 2011 4:20 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Ethmoid

Level 6

11,482 points

Oct 19, 2011 5:18 AM in response to Deyano

There is always DreamWeaver, but if you have a domain name and then purchase hosting space from a company such as HostExcellence or GoDaddy - (which you will have to do before next year anyway), you can look into using the Content Management Systems or CMS's such as http://wordpress.org, http://www.drupal.org or http://www.joomla.org.

Using these, you can design a website as well as including a Blog and Forums etc. People can also have their own log in codes for the site and can have their own space.

If you are prepared to purchase web hosting space with your domain name, then this could be the way forward - GoDaddy I know will automatically load Drupal or Joomla and WordPress, but you do need server space for this as it needs a database for installation purposes.

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Answer 2

Deyano Author

Level 1

35 points

Oct 19, 2011 6:19 AM in response to Deyano

Thanks for the info. Ethmoid-

One of my domains is through GoDaddy- upgrading to have them host would be easy. But, I think I am searching for more of a simplistic solution (ie: as similar to iWeb as possible). I don't code if that matters.

That is why I was looking at some of the web based solutions (although they left alot to be desired IMO). For instance- Wix is created and based entirely in Flash. So the sites are dynamic but don't appear (at all) on iPads or iPhones. That = a fail for me!

So that brings me to using something like Sandvox, or Squarespace.

I guess I'm looking for others that have experience making the switch and the reasons they chose web vs. software etc.

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Roddy

Level 6

17,265 points

Oct 19, 2011 9:37 AM in response to Deyano

A few months ago I had a look around at what was available in the way of software and you can download a PDF from this page under "Alternative Website Design Software"...

http://www.iwebformusicians.com/iWeb/Why-iWeb.html

The main alternatives to iWeb, such as Sandvox and RapidWeaver, were not an option for me since they suffer from the same restrictions and cost a lot more. The other available drag and drop style software is either flawed or like, Freeway, antiquated and badly designed.

The online site builders do seem to offer a good alternative but they can be just as restrictive, cost a lot more and still produce huge ammounts of code. Some claim to be free but you need to look at the real cost - especially if you have more than one site. They do offer portable versions of the site suitable for iPhone etc and this has become a necessity - at least for a business site.

I chose to move on to a code entry style software and this has proved to be fairly easy since the one I use is WYSIWYG and I can see the changes in real time in the preview window. Its also cheaper than RapidWeaver and Sandvox and doesn't require add ons to optimize and upload the files.

HTML5 will allow us to build better, more efficient websites but its not quite there yet. If I hadn't made the move to code entry software I think I would have been tempted to stick with iWeb for the time being and use one of the online site builders to create a separate portable version for cell phones as a stop gap.

There has got to be a better way to create websites using drag and drop and I believe something will come along that will make apps like iWeb, Sandvox and RapidWeaver redundant. After all, why did Apple quit on iWeb?

iWeb does offer two alternatives for publishing...

http://www.iwebformusicians.com/iWeb/Publish-Website.html

... and there's any amount of hosting out there...

http://www.iwebformusicians.com/iWeb/Website-Hosting.html

The MobileMe only features can be replaced with alternatives if you need them...

http://www.iwebformusicians.com/iWeb/Comments-Password-Protect.html

"I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link."

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

207,439 points

Oct 19, 2011 10:13 AM in response to Deyano

iWeb will still be usable for some time but, as Roddy mentioned, there will come a time when we will have to find an alternative. At least we have some time to experiment with other apps before we have to let iWeb go.

As for other considerations this may be of some help to you: Life After MobileMe.

OT

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Answer 5

Deyano Author

Level 1

35 points

Oct 19, 2011 12:47 PM in response to Deyano

Thank you so much Roddy! Great info....

I don't code....at all. I studied graphic design and loved the way iWeb had immediate results and worked.

I'm leaning towards a software or web based builder but choices are limited. Looks like Adobe sees an opportunity but Muse is horrible if you ask me.

Let me ask you and Old Toad: if I moved to Sandvox and did some work for clients, would I be hooked into maintaining the sites? That was the one thing about iWeb that I don't like- having everything reside primarily on one computer. The web based builders appeal in that respect but they are horrible. I'm going to try Squarespace tonight. That way I could create and edit sites and when the time is right, hand them over and be done with them.

Otherwise, I'd be getting into alot of rework from friends/clients when they wanted to make small tweaks.

Does that make sense?

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Answer 6

Roddy

Level 6

17,265 points

Oct 19, 2011 2:01 PM in response to Deyano

You can't import an iWeb built site into Sandvox although you can into any code entry style software.

Unfortunately, online site building is probably the answer if you want others with no coding experience to be able to maintain them.

I've never considered this way of creating a website due to the limitations and cost. A lot of the musicians I have helped moved away from HostBaby to iWeb because they couldn't design what they wanted and the real cost is about $200 per year.

Weebly, for example, claims to be free but look at what you get in the free version! Also, you are stuck with their media players and some of these are less then desirable. Online site builders produced bloated code just the same as drag and drop software so they aren't any better at producing websites for mobile devices.

I did create a site at...

http://mobile.wix.com/

... but the amount of code required for a simple site makes your head spin.

Sandvox does have opportunities for customization if you want to get your hands dirty with some css...

http://www.karelia.com/sandvox/help/z/Sandvox_Designers_Guide.html

The thing is, if you can handle css, you could create a lot better and more versatile website outside of Apps like Sandvox and RapidWeaver.

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Answer 7

josemari

Level 1

110 points

Oct 19, 2011 3:38 PM in response to Deyano

Mobileme webhosting will be gone next June. iWeb is not going anywhere and should continue to work for perhaps some years. It's so easy to use and produces such elegant results that I'm not going to abandon it just yet.

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Answer 8

Deyano Author

Level 1

35 points

Oct 19, 2011 5:22 PM in response to Deyano

Yeah- trying to avoid any coding at all because it would require extra time/learning on my part. I have a day job and do this sort of thing for fun and recently simple sites for clients that I have done graphic design for.

Diving into web design (coding) and more advanced software is just not possible right now for me.

So, the way I see it, I have 3 choices:

Continue to use iWeb for personal sites and just hope nothing happens in the future. Although I wonder if when Apple moves to a newer OS if iWeb will begin to have glitches. It's a fact they are no longer shipping computers with the software at all. That scares me.
Use a similar software like Rapidweaver or Sandvox
Use a web-based builder. (limited options that are intuitive)

Question- I'd like to hear you folks weight in on using a Rapidweaver or Sandvox solution for client sites. Obviously I'd be creating on my computer but having them hosted somewhere. Multiple sites.

Is that smart, feasible, or just plain foolish?

Concerns- if my computer goes down. Are backups enough to revive multiple sites. Say for example I have 15 client sites and I need to replace my computer. Is that going to be a nightmare?

I should mention- I've only used MobileMe. I have a domain with GoDaddy but not fluent in hosting or options. Particularly when creating multiple sites.

I think using an online builder would solve that problem and be easiest but I'm still yearning for that good ole drag/drop of iWeb 😟

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Answer 9

Deyano Author

Level 1

35 points

Oct 20, 2011 3:55 AM in response to Deyano

Gang- I tried Snappages last night for the 2nd time around and actually think it might be an option.

They provide hosting and domains which makes things slightly easier for my situation...

Although it isn't atrue drag/drop, it does have some elements and on screen editing. It's highly customizable as well.

It's not perfect but it will probably work.

I also tried Rapidweaver and Sandvox. I'd have to say out of the two I think Rapidweaver seems to work better. I'm still uncertain if I want to go that route however because as mentioned- I'd essentially become a webmaster which was never my goal.

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Answer 10

Ethmoid

Level 6

11,482 points

Oct 20, 2011 8:32 AM in response to Deyano

You need to be careful with RapidWeaver or you could find yourself forking out a lot of extra cash for all the add ons that you might need to purchase.

Have your tried Freeway Express or Pro? That might be an alternative too and you can start with a blank whereas you can't with RapidWeaver or Sandvox.

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Answer 11

Roddy

Level 6

17,265 points

Oct 20, 2011 9:52 AM in response to Deyano

Snappages has some neat designs but I would be wary of the depedency on flash.

None of the showcase sites appear to have any other type of media content apart from these ugly old YouTube movies.

I think I would want to check out their code injection before commiting.

The other thing I noticed was the absence of the viewport meta tag. I would ask their support if they have any plans to make their designs compatible with portable devices.

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Answer 12

Deyano Author

Level 1

35 points

Oct 20, 2011 10:09 AM in response to Roddy

Thanks for the heads up Roddy! I tested Snappages on multiple browsers and my iPad/iPhone and it seems to work and work well! There are a few glitches here/there but from reading their community threads they seem to listen to the designers using it. There are also some workarounds by using HTML snippets and such.

What I need is something simple and fast for putting together 5-7 page sites. Nothing complex. I can create banners and headers etc. in Photoshop and not rely on the software/builder.

It solves the problem of me taken on the burden of maintenance as it is web-based, includes hosting and domain names etc.

I realize it isn't perfect but it fits the need I have currently. I'll continue using iWeb for my personal needs and really hope in the next year or so either Apple takes a second look at it or another option or another company takes the lead. Currently there is nothing close to iWeb in its ease of use. If Apple decided to reqork iWeb and even rename it and package it as a new app I think alot of people would adopt it...

Alot of small businesses need something simple. Nothing complex- just something that gets them online and fast.

Keep me posted on any other ideas as well!

D

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Answer 13

Deyano Author

Level 1

35 points

Oct 20, 2011 10:30 AM in response to Ethmoid

I agree Ethmoid- I tried Rapidweaver and decided against it and for that matter any other software based solution. Freeway looks decent but I get back to the same issue- maintaining websites. I'm looking to get in/get out as fast as possible and then hand over the reins to the business owner.

Is there any hope that Apple will take a second look at iWeb or develop a new app that takes it place?

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Answer 14

salty777

Level 3

543 points

Nov 6, 2011 9:06 PM in response to Deyano

Folks, for what it's worth I've delved into this too. iWeb is brilliant, easy to use and produces great results... but is now unsupported.

I downloaded trials for Rapidweaver, Sandvox and Freeway.... and in my opinion they're all crap compared to iWeb. Clumsy, totally illogical and about as far away from Apple's "user friendly" interfaces as you can get.

In any one, you do something that seems reasonable (like import a graphic into a pre-sized box) and all **** breaks loose! It's so frustrating.... I've just spent three evenings trying to re-size a .PNG file to fit the box in one of the above, and have now given up!

Of the three, Freeway seems to be the more capable, but goodness me does it make life hard.... wake up programmers, this is 2011.... have a look at Apps on the iPad.... easy to use, make sense to Humans!!

I can't understand why Apple are ditching iWeb... website design is not dying a death like Hypercard or the CLI... I'm crossing my fingers that something better is about to appear on iCloud.

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Answer 15

Roddy

Level 6

17,265 points

Nov 6, 2011 9:19 PM in response to salty777

Unfortunately, web design using template based software such as iWeb, RapidWeaver and Sandvox is dying a death since none of these apps seem to be capable of building mobile websites suitable for iPhone etc.

Having a mobile websites is now essential for just about everyone since surfing the net on cell phones is a huge growth area. I'm sure one of the main reasons that Apple dropped iWeb is that it can't produce websites that are suitable for portable devices.

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