by Apple’s iWeb has long been a godsend for those wanting to design their own website but who didn’t have the coding skills to do so from scratch. So, when Apple announced that it would no longer be supporting or developing iWeb in 2012, the quest for a suitable replacement began in earnest. EverWeb, from RAGE Software, aims to be just that — and, for the most part, it’s right on target.
EverWeb’s interface, while not a carbon copy, will be immediately familiar to anyone who’s used iWeb. Additionally, most iWeb features have an equivalent in EverWeb, while some extras, such as the functionality of the iWeb SEO Tool, have been integrated into this application.
What this means is that websites can be built much in the same way that you make a graphics-rich document in Word or Pages. There’s no coding involved — simply a WYSIWYG interface and various elements from shapes and social widgets to images and video that you can drag-and-drop into place. The results approach those of what’s possible with traditional site design and coding, while more experienced users can get under the hood to work in HTML5 and CSS3 for further customization.
As already mentioned, EverWeb boasts some functionality not present in the last available version of iWeb. This includes master pages, which allow elements to be easily repeated across multiple sections of a site, and drop-down navigation menus. EverWeb also builds on the e-commerce functionality of iWeb by enabling users to implement a full shopping-cart-based sales system, in addition to PayPal integration.
The included site templates are numerous, but oddly specific (one is for a chiropractic website). Each features a mobile-optimized version, and additional templates are available. EverWeb also includes a gallery of embeddable widgets, from RSS feeds and Google maps to feedback forms and image galleries. Additional widgets are also available from the EverWeb community.
Version 1.3 of EverWeb (reviewed) allows for the publishing of your site directly to an FTP server via an intuitive interface. Those who opt for the $99.95-per-year one-click publishing version of the application that includes 2GB of web hosting can, as the name suggests, publish and configure their site right from EverWeb.
If you’re someone who’s come to depend on iWeb and would like a supported version that will continue to evolve into the foreseeable future, or are just looking to build a website without getting your hands dirty with code, EverWeb is a great option. It’s still missing some things, like built-in blogging functionality, but unlike with the original iWeb, there’s at least some hope that it may one day be included.
The bottom line. If you’ve been seeking an iWeb replacement or are simply new to the whole website design thing, EverWeb is both a worthy successor and a good first step toward building your own web presence.
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