How To Convert PSD To HTML - The Best Option

"I speak HTML, CSS, and Javascript." Resumes containing such phrases are not rare in the Internet. But what to do if your "native" language is colors and lines? In other words, if you are a designer and need to translate your works (e.g., *.psd designs) into HTML/CSS code?

There are three main options to solve this problem:
1) Code it yourself,
2) Use automated tools, and
3) Hire a provider of PSD-to-HTML/CSS conversion services.

And here comes another question: Which option is the best?

In fact, there is no all-purpose choice to suit every situation. Really, people and circumstances are different.

?

To convert yourself or not yourself - Is that a question?

My friend's designer, marketing guru Tomupitazu agree: one is designed today, (the difference may be the most important competitive set of products and websites) away, the other a commodity from the competition. Web designer who has been central to the success of the site. This is a very small number of our people, and can be a genius like Leonardo da Vinci, she / he must fully concentrate on the design.

Others say that web designers can not only write the basics of color theory and graphic techniques, but also PSD slicing, HTML coding, content, need to know SEO and marketing. Only in this case designer creates something truly effective in today's Internet.

For me every website element should be well-designed: website concept, its structure, graphics, layout, HTML/CSS markup, and content. The deeper designers know respective phases and website development operations the better, because she/he can see and control the process in whole. But it doesn't mean that designers should do all the work themselves.

?

Which of PSD-to-HTML options is the best when...

... HTML / CSS is easy for you, or if it looks like hocus-pocus? If there is a long queue of customers, or only a few orders? When designing a testing ground for themselves or a major custom work? If there is a big budget or difficult times?

These situations obviously require different solutions.

?

What is the recipe?

To be effective, we must be flexible. It is difficult, a universal genius, but it is possible to have a universal (or nearly all) have the knowledge base and the process.

1. Collect information: Design-to-XHTML/CSS tutorials, reviews of automated conversion tools, and lists of PSD-to-HTML services providers.

To keep track of new developments, Google Alert can be of very useful assistance or just regularly visit such sites as designfloat.com, designm.ag, noupe.com, tripwiremagazine.com, csstea.com, just to name a few.

Speaking of tutorials, gather not only the newest techniques and CSS tricks but older materials too, because they may contain gold nuggets of information.

2. Try them and make your own lists. Select tutorials, automated tools, and providers that are the most useful, efficient, and comfortable just for YOU. It takes time but it pays off. Moreover, one day you can publish your own lists named "Practical Collection of PSD-to-XHTML Tutorials" or "My Favorite Design-to-HTML Services."

Select several (2 or 3) providers because of:
1). Risk management considerations: if you urgently need to convert your design and the primary provider is overloaded, you will have a reserve option.
2). Providers may have advantages in different areas, eg, one more well in the PSD transformation WordPress themes, others - in the design-to-Drupal or Joomla templates and implementing.
3). Services and your requirements to them (as well as functionality of automated tools or perceived importance of tutorials) change with time.

Check out selected providers yourself. It is not out of place because what was the best for someone may be not so good for you.

3. Evaluate project circumstances: volume of works, urgency, project requirements (including W3C standards compliance, browser compatibility, semantic coding), project importance, budget, your level of HTML/CSS knowledge, and so on. Then take your lists and choose an option or their combination that is the most effective for you in this concrete situation.

Each of these options - do it yourself, using automated tools or service providers - can transform a good solution for the PSD to HTML. But it is equally important that there are several alternatives to choose from. Really, to be flexible and be successful - this is the best option.