Comparison of Platforms

 For the last two assignments in our Media and Web Design class we were to create small websites in two different platforms  I considered using Wix, but even though other students said it was user friendly, I found it to be confusing.  I ended up using Google Sites and Weebly.  I had experimented with both of these platforms in the past, so I was at least familiar with them.

I used Google Sites for the first website.  I did not have very many difficulties in the process.  I think this was because there were not very many requirements.  The biggest problem I had was in adding the email link.  I did not like the options it had for the email link.  It gave a picture of an envelope.  It did not have an option for any text with it.  I needed to add put a textbox with it, but I didn't like the way the two looked together.  I solved the issue by embedding html code myself do provide the link.

I use Weebly for the second assignment.  This website had more requirements and took a lot more time.  I struggled most with the alignment of different objects.  I could not figure out how to place objects next to each other.  The help features are limited and it took me a while before I was able to find the solution.  In general the ability to position objects where you want seems too difficult.

Weebly does not give you the ability to save your work without publishing.  It may save automatically, but I would always publish it just to be sure.  The undo feature is also very limited.  You can undo changes on Google Sites in the typical manner.  Google Sites also gives the option of previewing your website without publishing it.

In using both platforms, I learned that I could use html to do things for which the platforms did not have a tool or if the tool did not work the way I wanted.

It is hard to say which platform I prefer.  I prefer the way my Weebly site looks, but I think Google Sites was a little easier to use.  If I were to do another site, I think I would start with Google Sites and see if it looked as nice as a site created with the Weebly platform.