Choosing the Best Website Builder
Embedded Files
There are lots of softwares you can use to build out a website that suits your needs. You can choose any that fit your needs and help you accomplish your goals.
What's On This Page?
What's On This Page?
Creative Cloud Express - Pages
Creative Cloud Express - Pages
Adobe Creative Cloud Express (formerly Adobe Spark) is an online and mobile design application. CC Express can help you create a variety of different types of digital media including websites, videos and social media content.
Strengths
Strengths
A quick to learn interface that does not require coding,
Includes an integrated stock image collection that automatically cites images you use,
Great for visual essays, digital reports, and portfolios.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
Although there are a variety of themes to choose from, their customization options are limited,
Does not support branching websites that require the use of multiple pages.
Watch
Watch
In this short video you'll learn how to quickly get started with creating a webpage using Adobe Creative Cloud Express.
Microsoft Sway
Microsoft Sway
A Seneca supported presentation program that allows users to combine text and media to content such as websites, reports, visual essays, and portfolios.
Strengths
Strengths
Well-designed templates based on common design projects such as student reports, portfolios, and presentations,
It has several integrated accessibility tools,
Great for visual essays, digital reports, and portfolios.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
Does not support branching websites that require the use of multiple pages,
Cannot embed a large variety of other objects such as videos, H5P or other interactive elements.
Google Sites
Google Sites
Google’s structured website creation tool can seamlessly integrate several google products and allows you to build multiple-page websites.
Strengths
Strengths
Seamlessly integrates several google products including Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms and YouTube.
Allows you to create a multi-page website
Quick to learn building that does not require coding
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
Limited choice of themes
Does not include fully developed templates
Works best if you are already using other Google products
Wix
Wix
A robust website builder with both free and pay-to-use options that can complement complex website, portfolio, visual article projects.
Strengths
Strengths
Can support complex website projects such as advanced portfolios, commerce, blogging and discussion forms.
Allows you complete control over your project’s themes, colours, style, fonts and layout.
Includes several templates that can help you start your project.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses
You will need to navigate the pay-to-use options to access the free to use features
More control over the look of your project, comes at the cost of Wix being a more complex tool. Advanced customizations may require the use of some coding.
One Platform Won't Do It All
One Platform Won't Do It All
Sometimes one tool can not do everything we need it to do. When this happens you will want to balance the pros and cons of the tool's capabilities.
Know Your Limits
Know Your Limits
Some limits are hard limits which are often set by your instructor. This might include specific capabilities, length, type, function and content. Some are soft limits, like our own desires for how we envision the final project. Some limits may just be convenience, because it is easier to do it one way versus another since you are not likely to find one tool to check every box.
It is best to weigh your limits against the limitations of the software.
With some creative problem solving and a little flexibility you can often find ways of making software work for you. But if the software you chose is not meeting your needs, do not be afraid to switch.
Watch
Watch
Websites can be a fun and creative project, and using creative problem solving we can not only get around the limitations of a tool but also find fun new ways to present our idea.
Exercise: Identifying Your Limits
Exercise: Identifying Your Limits
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse