Multimedia Web site development Plan your site Steps for creating web pages

Planning your web site  Plan your web site carefully before you begin creating individual Web pages for the site. This can avoid having to re-organise your web pages later. Decide how many pages you want your web site to contain and consider how the pages will link together.  When users visit your web site, they should be able to easily access information. Sketching a layout of your web site can help you organise the site. Once you have determined the layout for the site, you should plan the main page or home page for the site.

Linear layout  A linear layout organises Web pages in a straight line. This layout is ideal for Web pages that People should read in a specific order, such as pages containing a story or step-by-step instructions. Each Web page in a linear layout usually links to the next and previous page in the web site, allowing users to move both forwards and backwards through the web pages.

Hierarchical layout  In a hierarchical layout, all web pages branch off the home page. The home page provided a general summary of the information in the web site, while the other pages provide more specific information. Users select links on the home page to access Web pages that contain detailed information.

Combination  Combining layouts provides you with the most flexibility when creating your web site. For example, combining a hierarchical layout with a Web layout lets you create a Web site that has an overall structure, yet allows users to randomly browse through information.

Steps for creating your web site  Before you begin creating web pages, decide what you want to accomplish with your web pages. You need to decide on a main topic or theme for your pages and then determine the type of information you want to include.  1. Gather information  2. Organise information  3. Enter information  4. Add links  5. Publish your pages

1. Collecting Information The first step is to gather the information you want to include in your web site. This includes Text Images Diagrams You need to ensure the information you gather directly relates to the main topic or theme of your intended audience. Remember you must have permission to use any information that you have gathered and not created yourself.

2. Organise information Divide the information you gathered into different sections. Each section will be a separate web page that discusses a different idea. Good web pages generally contain enough information to fill a single screen. It is also important to remember that that adding many elements to a web page will increase the file size of the web page. The more elements on the page, the longer it will take for the page to transfer to the users computer.

3. Enter information At this point, it is often time to enter the text you want to appear on your web pages. Each web page should be a separate document. 4. Add links Adding links is an important step in creating Web pages. Links are text or images that users can select to display information. The links you add should allow users to easily move through information of interest to them.

5. Publish your web site When you have completed creating your web pages, you can have this hosted by a WPP (Web Presence Provider). This is sometimes referred to as “Web space” There is usually a cost involved with hosting a web site by WPP’s. Web content is uploaded using an application called an FTP (File Transfer Protocol). These are generally free applications that can be downloaded from the web or from host companies web sites.

Task  Research web hosting company's.  Find at least 4 web site hosting companies.  Who are they?  How much do they cost?  What services can they give?