Web Page Basics

Before you start the construction of your first web page, here are 4 things to consider:

1. What is your goal?

• Why are you doing this? What do you want to accomplish?
• Who is the target audience?
  
  • Students / Parents
  • Local community
  • Out of district relatives (grandparents, separated parents, etc.)
  • People who just want to know about your school
  • The world at large
    
• What specific information do you want to convey?
• How much time are you willing to commit to keep your information current.
  

2. Content and presentation

• Concentrate on the content. Content (the actual text information) is what your page is all about. Consider content first, then graphics.
• Go to the web and check out other pages:
  
  • What do you like and why?
  • What do you not like and why?
    

3. The homepage

Your homepage (the opening page) is your gateway. You want your viewers to quickly see what you have to offer. The purpose of your site should be immediatly evident when your homepage opens. Think of your homepage as a table of contents. If you have a lot of content, it can be placed on other pages with links to them from your homepage. Try to avoid the need for scrollbars on your homepage.

4. Plan your layout

Do a storyboard. Use a card or a sheet of paper for each page. Sketch in what will be placed on each page. Then prepare a draft of the text. Make a flowchart that illustrates the navigation of your site so that you can plan your links accordingly.