WYSIWYG Text Editors

WYSIWYG text editors provide a graphic editing interface much like you would use when writing a document in Microsoft Word. The content, as you are editing, is displayed near exactly the way it will appear on a web page. The benefits of a WYSIWYG HTML editor is that anyone can build a web page with these tools even if you have no experience.

Expression Web which is standards focused on producing compliant HTML code and CSS with its HTML validator, CSS validator and a Accessibility validator. Microsoft offers a 30-day trial of Expression Web.

Dreamweaver - Dreamweaver has been the hands-down leader of the pack for many years now. Their acquisition by Adobe was a little discouraging but so far Adobe has managed to keep the product quality high. If you want the best Industry-leading web development tool to efficiently design, develop and maintain standards-based web sites and applications then Dreamweaver should be your choice. Dreamweaver has been my tool of choice for many years now.

Contribute - Contribute was another Macromedia product that Adobe inherited through their acquisition. With Contribute anyone can quickly update web sites and blogs.

GoLive - Adobe software that lets you use intuitive visual tools such as pre built CSS objects that you can drag and drop to build sites (also supports mobile devices).

NVU - A good, FREE contender to Dreamweaver is NVU, and it's surprising that such a great tool is free. If you are looking for a WYSIWYG editor that has some great features and don't have the money to buy Dreamweaver, then NVU is a great choice. Note: NVU is no longer being maintained so take a look at KompoZer.

If you are lucky enough to afford a tool such as Dreamweaver, the site manager is essential if you plan to build and maintain more than one site.