Normal view: Does the software provide an easy to use interface where all you do is type in the text and insert graphics where you want? Does the software include dropdown menus that allow many functions?
HTML view: After you work on the site in normal view does the software have a tab to view the code in HTML just in case you want to edit the code yourself? Many software programs provide this tab. Make sure the software you choose has it.
Preview mode: Many web design software programs allow you to run and see a preview as to how the web page will look when it is published. Many scripts won’t run in this mode, but you can at least see how the page looks so you know if you have everything lined up correctly.
Templates: Does the software provide you with already made templates to cut your web page building and creating in half? This is important, especially for beginners. This is because designing web pages using templates are so useful. They help cut your time down in creating web pages quite a bit.
Publishing: Most web design software programs allow you to publish your web pages directly to a server called the host. If this is the case does it provide easy to follow instructions?