If you are just starting out you will probably won't have a large budget for creating your website so you will most likely want to create your own. Later you may want to spend more time running your business and less time creating web pages, so you will probably hire some one to create and maintain your website.

It is easy to make a nice looking website, even if you are not technically inclined. I highly recommend using templates when ever possible and most web creation programs come with an assortment of templates. Templates take care of making your pages look nice and you just add content.

If you are just starting out and  you are creating a basic website most of the free program will have enough functionality to create your website. Believe it or not there are many free web design programs available and I have listed many of them below. If you insist on paying for a web creation program they are also listed below.

Google Web Page Creator

Google Apps provides online web page creation software (which created this site) and a reasonable selection of templates. It is easy to add content and picture to you website. It is basically drag and drop.

Google Apps is still in beta and they admit that javascript is not supported, which may be a problem with some ad widgets.

Likes:

• Easy to use
• Good selection of templates

Dislikes

• No nav bars
• Javascript not supported

Just a request from Google, it would be nice if they created either a photo and clip are repository or a dedicated search that will return only royalty free clip art and photos.

Dreamweaver CS3

Originally Dreamweaver was a  Macromedia product, Adobe bought Macromedia, scrapped its own web software GoLive, and  Dreamweaver is now an Adobe program. 

Dreamweaver is loaded with features. I have a copy of Dreamweaver MX and I have used ot to create very basic web pages  and the learning curve is not that bad.  However, if  you want to be able to use all of the Dreamweaver features there is a steep learning curve. Also, it is not cheap, it will cost you about $350, but if you are a web designer this is your program.

Likes:

• Full featured
• Powerful
• The gold standard

Dislikes:

• Expensive
• Steep learning curve

WebPlux X2

I own a copy of Serif WebPlus X2. I bought it because it is  packed with amazing features for the price. X2 has the usual html and CSS capabilities but it also has incredibable features for such an easy to use program. It has built in graphics design, ecommerce, forums, blogs, mailing lists, live surveys and polls, feedback forms, site search, active hit counters and even messaging with shoutboxes. It also has search engine optimization and analytics, which is important for you affiliate marketers. 

Likes:

• Easy to use
• Huge amount of features

Dislikes:

• As far as I can figure out some of the server side  features of the program are run on a the Serif server. In the sort term this is not a bad thing and this may never be an issue but you have to rely on your server and Serif's server to be up or you could have problems with your website.

Microsoft Expression Web

 Expression Web is  Microsoft's answer to Dreamweaver.  I have never used it but from reviews that I have read it is a very powerful program but I am not sure that it rivals Dreamweaver. 

Most of the reviews on Amazon seem to trend towards if you are an experienced webmaster this is a good program, if you are new to web creation there is a steep learning curve.

 Sitespinner V2

This is another WYSIWYG editor. I have not tried this program  but there are seventy reviews on Amazon that, on average, give it 4.5 out of five stars. From the description it appears to have fewer features than WebPlus X2 for about the same price and if you read the Amazon reviews there are many raves about ease of use.

Coffee Cup Software

I used Coffee Cup back in 1999 when I was creating my first website and it was easy to use. I scoured the web for Coffee Cup Reviews and the consensus seems to be that the program is not for professionals but if you are just starting out this software could work well for you.

Nvu/KompoZer

Nvu was derived from Netscape Composer, which is now defunct. Unfortunately development for Nvu has halted, but it is still available for download.

Even though Nvu may not be in development the code has forked and KompoZer is the result. It is basically Nvu with bug fixes. It is also cross platform.

It is a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor.  I used the Nvu predecessor (Netscape Composer) about ten years ago to create a very basic website and it was easy to use and full featured (for back then) and free.  If you are creating a basic website or, if you are an experienced web master that does not want to pay for Dreamweaver, you may want to check out KonpoZer.

I found nothing but positive feedback for the program. Since it deals with javascript, php and other non beginner technologies it may have a steep learning curve. There is also a version of the program that you can  purchase.

Homestead

Homestead appears to be the total package, they have web creation software, over 2,000 templates and 250,000 royalty free images.  It appears that you host with them and purchase you domain name through them.

If you don't think my list is all inclusive, you are correct, Cnet has a list of web design software with user ratings here. Check them out.

If you plan on being your own web master you will probably want to buy a copy of Dreamweaver and get some training.  You can sign up for classes at your local tech school, or if you do not have time for that buy a training videos listed below.