Background Knowledge

• 1). Before you use Dreamweaver, learn XHTML. This is the primary foundation for any budding Dreamweaver user and Web developer. It is the skeleton over which every website is built.
  
  
• 2). Learn CSS. Standing for Cascading Style Sheets, this language serves as an extension of XHTML and it is a must for practically any Web page nowadays. With CSS, you have an incredible degree of control over how your page will look.
  
  
• 3). Study JavaScript. Although it is not as indispensable as XHTML or CSS, it is a must if you plan to develop a website that users can interact with and enter information into.
  
  

Learning the Program

• 1). Read up. There are various high-quality books that provide a nice introduction to Dreamweaver (see Resource section). Sit in front of the computer with one of these books open on your lap and go from beginning to end, studying each chapter and practicing on the program. It is time-consuming and it may get monotonous, but this is arguably the best way you can learn to thoroughly use the application.
  
  
• 2). Know your tools. It helps if you familiarize yourself with the wide assortment of tools and options available on the software. It is especially helpful to be thoroughly knowledgeable in site maps. Many Web development projects are made up of a wide array of disparate elements, and it pays to know which element is where and how it contributes to the whole site.
  
  
• 3). Memorize keyboard shortcut keys. They allow you to carry out tasks faster and their frequent usage creates a favorable impression on anyone who sees you work.
  
  

Creating Websites

• 1). Now that you've learned all the ins and outs of Dreamweaver, put that knowledge to the test. Set aside some space at a Web hosting provider and pick a topic that interests you greatly in order to make a website about it.
  
  
• 2). If you want to emphasize your design skills, concentrate on coming up with killer style sheets with groundbreaking CSS code. On the other hand, you may want to emphasize your programming skills. In that case, create a database-driven website and learn to develop dynamic websites using PHP language.
  
  
• 3). Remember that you can combine Flash animations within your website for that extra bit of pizazz. Flash and Dreamweaver applications are wholly compatible with one another because they have been part of the same company, Adobe, since the CS1 versions.
  
  
• 4). If you admire a particular website, get some inspiration out of their source code. Most Web browsers give you this option. For instance, on Internet Explorer, you can read the page's source code from the "View" menu by selecting "Source."