WYSIWYG stands for "What You See Is What You Get", and in Internet lingo has come to represent a type of program which allows users to create websites using a graphic interface instead of having to modify HTML code directly.
You've probably heard of the more common editors: Frontpage, Dreamweaver, GoLive, PageMill, Hotdog, and others. Now, even word processors such as Word and WordPerfect have built-in HTML converters and editors as well.
These editors allow you to create websites without knowing how to use HTML, CSS or other coding to create a webpage. They're great solutions for those who want to create a personal website but don't have the knowledge or the time to learn by hand.
However, for creating professional business websites, WYSIWYG editors are most definitely NOT your best choice unless you already have extensive knowledge of HTML, CSS or any other code you're using to create your webpage. WYSIWYG editors have the potential to do more harm than good if you aren't aware of their pitfalls or don't have the skills to get around the problems they create.
WYSIWYG editors produce what's commonly known as "mangled code". This means that they add extra, frivolous (and usually damaging) code, or delete critical elements from proper code. While some are worse than others, every WYSIWYG editor can add it's own extra code.
So why should you care? As long as it works, right? Wrong.
What works on one computer doesn't necessarily work on all computers. What you're seeing on your screen is not necessarily what everyone else will see.
For example, let's say you use Frontpage to design your website that looks good on your PC computer running Windows XP, viewing the website in Internet Explorer 6 on a 17" monitor set at a resolution of 1024 X 768.
What about those running other versions of Windows? Those using Mac computers? Those using other browsers, like Opera 7 or Netscape 4.76? Those viewing your website on larger or smaller monitors, or those using different screen resolutions?
When you have "mangled code" on your website, you increase the chances that your website will be a big mess when others try to view it. There are countless variables that can affect how a website performs on a computer, and without proper, accurate coding you can't be sure your site is presenting your best possible image to the largest portion of your online visitors.
You've come looking for a wholistic web design for a reason. You want to provide an inviting, natural, warm, peaceful website for yourself and your customers. Do you want to miss the mark by messing up your website for a good portion of your viewers?
Do yourself and your clients a favour: leave the WYSIWYG editors for your personal webpages. For professional, wholistic website design, hire a professional and know that your site will be done well. That's what we're here for! Find a website designer who is proficient in hand-coding so that, even if they use an editor, they'll still be able to fix any errors that may arise and your wholistic website will be as accurate and viewable in as many environments as possible.
© 2004 Renée Deakin. All rights reserved. Copying of this article in any form by any means, mechanical or electric, is strictly prohibited without express permission from Earth Spirit Creations. You may link back to this webpage, as long as full credit is given to author. Contact us for more information.