Dreamweaver Website Creation Workflow | Generated by AI
This essay outlines the complete workflow for creating a website using Dreamweaver, from initial site definition to the final upload, focusing on the development process within the application.
💻 Dreamweaver Website Creation Workflow
The following steps detail the typical workflow used in Adobe Dreamweaver:
1. Define the Site (Local Setup)
The very first and most crucial step is to define the site in Dreamweaver. This involves:
- Specifying the local root folder (a folder on your computer) where all the website files (HTML, CSS, images, etc.) will be stored.
- Giving the project a new project name for identification within Dreamweaver. This definition is essential as it enables Dreamweaver’s site management features, relative linking, and proper file handling.
2. Create Core Files (HTML and CSS)
Within the defined local site folder, you must add the core files.
- Create the main HTML file (usually
index.html). - Create the CSS file (e.g.,
styles.css) to handle the visual presentation.
3. Structure the HTML (Element Addition)
Begin building the website structure by adding essential HTML elements to the main HTML file.
- Include standard structural tags like
<header>,<footer>, and<body>. - Use Dreamweaver’s Code View, Design View, or Live View to visually or manually add elements.
4. Divide Content with Divs and Semantic Tags
To organize the content and prepare for styling, add divs and semantic container tags.
- Add divs (or better yet, semantic tags like
<main>,<section>,<article>,<nav>) to clearly delineate areas for specific content. This helps in laying out the content flow and making the structure accessible and maintainable.
5. Develop and Design (Coding and Styling)
This is the core development phase where content is added, and the design is applied.
- Add content (text, images, links) to the HTML structure.
- Write the CSS to style the elements (colors, fonts, layout, responsiveness). Dreamweaver’s split-view and visual tools can assist in seeing real-time changes.
6. Test and Validate Locally
Before deploying, it is essential to thoroughly test the website locally.
- Validate HTML and CSS to ensure code standards are met.
- Test all links and functionality (e.g., forms, navigation).
- Preview the website in multiple browsers directly from Dreamweaver to ensure cross-browser compatibility.
7. Configure Remote Site (Server Setup)
To prepare for the upload, configure the remote site within the Dreamweaver Site Definition settings.
- Enter the details for your hosting server, including the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) address, username, and password. This links your local development environment to the live hosting environment.
8. Upload the Website (Using FTP)
Once satisfied with the local version, you upload the website files to the server.
- Use Dreamweaver’s integrated FTP client (often called the “Put” function).
- Transfer all necessary files from your local root folder to the correct directory on the web host.
9. Server Configuration (Outside of Dreamweaver)
While the core web development is done, two critical steps are usually handled on the server side and are not direct Dreamweaver functions but are essential for a professional website.
- Configure Web Server Software: Use server software like Nginx (or Apache/IIS) to help render the website by serving the files and managing requests. This ensures the website is accessible to the public over the internet.
- Secure the Website (HTTPS): Configure the HTTPS certificate (SSL/TLS) on the server. This encrypts communication between the visitor’s browser and the server, securing the website and changing the protocol from \(http://\) to \(https://\).
Would you like a brief explanation of how Dreamweaver helps manage relative links during this process?