Dreamweaver templates with editable regions - alternative programs with similar feature

[bob_6120]

I used DW many years ago and really liked the ability to create a Template with editable and repeating regions etc. I created a large website and was able to have repeating regions for the banner and footer etc which could be easily updated with the click of a button.

My DW website is looking rather dated and needs a refresh. I don't know whether to stick with DW or consider alternatives. I have forgotten much of my (limited) programming skills.

Can anyone tell me what other alternatives there are on the market that would allow a similar feature eg update a footer site-wide with ease like DW?

I have had wordpress recommended to me but have also been told that plugins often break. I need simplicity, something suitable for a text heavy site, hundreds of pages, with a contact form, nothing else.

I would also like to retain the SEO of the current site and do not know if I switched from html/css site to a wordpress ?php based site if it would affect SEO.

thanks

[BenPleysier]

• For an HTML site, you are best off creating Web Components
• For a site with a server model like PHP, you can use Server Side Includes
• For a site with ExpressNodeJS as the server model a complete templating system is available.

My current IDE is Wappler which makes the creation of NodeJS projects a breaze. It is a great option if you're looking for a tool that combines visual design with powerful backend capabilities. It offers a lot of flexibility and control, making it suitable for both simple and complex projects.

[Nancy OShea]

Dreamweaver Templates (.dwt files) are exclusive to Dreamweaver.  No other code editors support them.

I have had wordpress recommended to me but have also been told that plugins often break.

By @bob_6120

==========

Plugins are optional. Invest in a good Premium Theme that does what want and you won't need plugins. 

There are literally tens of thousands of WP Themes for every type of business you can imagine, from NGOs to real estate.  WP is simple to set-up, easy to use, and very well documented by a global community of users.  That's why it's the most popular platform for do it yourself site owners.

SEO isn't an issue when it's managed correctly.

https://support.google.com/webmasters/thread/7151106/redirecting-url-from-retired-site-to-existing-s...

[bob_6120]

I do have concerns DW is discontinued in the near future that spending time on new .dwt files etc is a waste of effort.

I wouldn't know where to start with Wordpress and will probably need to hire someone to set it up for me. 

Thanks for your replies

[Jon Fritz]

I would definitely second the notion of learning how to work with Server Side Includes. You'll never go back to DWTs, plus you'll be futureproof when Adobe pulls the plug on DW. SSI's allow you to make a change to, and upload, one file that updates your entire site. Working with them is dead simple...

The basics (using PHP)

1. Your site's pages will use the .php file extension instead of .html 
2. Include files will contain only the code you want to repeat, they're not a full page. So just the menu, or footer, or special effect card, etc
3. You place your cursor where you want the include to appear on any given page of your site in DW and go to Insert > PHP > Include
4. Add the location of the include to the Filename field in the Properties window (hit the folder icon to browse to it in your defined site)
5. Once set up, to make sitewide changes, you just modify the include file (footer, header, navigation, etc) and upload, done and done

For example, a menu include:

Let's say you need to add a Facebook button to your menu. No problem, you open the menu include file in DW, add the image and link, save, then upload it. Every page on your site that references that menu include will automatically show the new info on your pages when a viewer pulls them up. The server writes the code from the include file over the include snippet in the page when the page is sent by the server, so whatever you put into the include file is written verbatim into the page where the include was placed. You don't have to lift a finger to update the individual pages themselves, just the include file.

The best part is it's not using a proprietary DW function. All editors worth using (even some that aren't) understand PHP includes.

[Nancy OShea]

Most reputable web hosts have 1-click WordPress installation from your server's admin panel. Or they can set it up for you for a nominal fee. 

https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/get-started-with-wordpress/

[bob_6120]

Thankyou all this is really helpful information.

So I can understand this better regarding server side scripts-

So I could buy a good quality template (or have someone program or modify one one for me) and they could include the server side scripts/PHP mentioned above, so in the future if I need to change the content of the footer, I could do this myself using a code editor like DW or Visual Code etc.

Or the other option is to use Wordpress, install a template and through wordpress interface itself I can make changes across footers etc? 

I am understanding this correctly? 

[BenPleysier]

That is correct for those two options, keeping in mind that WP uses PHP as the server model.

However, as I pointed out, if you do not have to use the likes of PHP because your project consists of static HTML files, then you can use Web Components instead of SSI (Server Side Includes).

And, as stated previously, you could use NodeJS as the server model and you will have the availability of a built in templating system which is comaprable to Dreamweavers proprietory Templating system.

So the choice is

1. a static project using Web Components

2. a dynamic project using PHP and SSI

3. a dynamic project using NodeJS which includes a templating system.

4. a WorPress project with an online editor

[bob_6120]

Hi Nancy, I am wondering whether there would be SEO loss of rankings if a site is converted from a html static site to a wordpress one? Do you know much about this?

I have had afew people recommend wordpress to me now for managing large sites that are content heavy, as an alternative to using DW. I have some concerns going from html site to php?

[BenPleysier]

I am wondering whether there would be SEO loss of rankings if a site is converted from a html static site to a wordpress one?

By @bob_6120

This is not going to be a problem, the PHP code is automatically converted to HTML on the server. In fact, my choice of server model is NodeJS, which does much the same as what PHP does.

[Nancy OShea]

I'll add another consideration. WordPress is a powerful CMS, allowing your site to grow with your needs.  On day #1, you can add collaborators to your site.

There are six pre-defined user roles: Super Admin, Administrator, Editor, Author, Contributor and Subscriber.

https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/roles-and-capabilities/

[BenPleysier]

Had a bit of a time-out session using the latest version of Wappler:

https://community.wappler.io/t/ai-integration-in-wappler/61846/34

[headTrix Training]

I would probably recommend against using Dreamweaver... although I loved it in its day...... DreamWeaver has not been updated since 2021. There seems to be no representation at Adobe Max. No talks about it no updates no nothing.
But there's also a lot of this ...


WordPress might be your best bet they have templates and it'll already have all the CSS to be responsive and work on all screens and devices.

But no matter how you do it websites are a headache!
Good luck!

[Nancy OShea]

There seems to be no representation at Adobe Max. No talks about it no updates no nothing.

By @headTrix Training

===========

In case you missed the announcement at MAX Round Table in Fall 2020, Adobe is in minimal maintenance status. Apart from occasional security updates, it's no longer being developed.

Use free FileZilla client to transfer files. It receives regular updates.

[L e n a]

I am wondering whether there would be SEO loss of rankings if a site is converted from a html static site to a wordpress one? Do you know much about this?

By @bob_6120

When transitioning a website from static HTML to a WordPress platform, it's crucial to maintain consistent URL structures to preserve SEO rankings. Ideally, only the file extension changes (e.g., from domain.com/products.html to domain.com/products.php).

In such cases, implementing 301 redirects from the old .html URLs to the new .php ones ensures that both users and search engines are directed to the correct pages, thereby minimizing potential SEO disruptions.

However, in practical scenarios, migrating to WordPress often results in more significant URL changes. For instance, a page previously located at domain.com/products.html might be restructured to domain.com/portfolio/products or adopt a URL based on the post title, such as domain.com/products-new-version. Without precise control over permalinks, these alterations can lead to substantial differences in URL structures, potentially impacting SEO performance.

To mitigate these issues, it's essential to manage permalinks carefully during the migration process. This involves configuring WordPress settings to mirror the original URL structure as closely as possible and setting up appropriate 301 redirects for any changes. Properly implemented redirects inform search engines about the changes, helping to preserve existing rankings and traffic.

Additionally, utilizing SEO plugins can streamline this process. Tools like Yoast SEO or All in One SEO Pack offer features to manage redirects, optimize meta tags, and maintain overall SEO health during and after the migration. These plugins provide guidance and automation, reducing the risk of SEO pitfalls associated with URL changes.

In summary, while changing only the file extension with proper redirects poses minimal SEO risk, more extensive URL modifications require careful planning and execution. Leveraging WordPress's permalink settings and SEO plugins can help maintain search engine rankings during the transition. 

Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance. While this transition may seem complex, approaching it methodically and carefully can ensure a fully controlled migration from static HTML pages to a CMS. However, this process should not be taken lightly, especially if the current SEO is currently optimal and well-established.