Planning an Effective Website

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Planning an Effective Website

• David L. Lakly

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Planning an Effective Website

• Today we will
• View examples of favorite websites
• Discuss importance of developing good web content
• Introduce the idea of information architecture
• Learn a few important tips

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Planning an Effective Website

• What websites do you visit daily or weekly that
  you feel are good websites?
• What makes them good?

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Planning an Effective Website

• Content is King
• What do you have to say?
• Write for the web, not an Academic Journal
• Static v. Dynamic information

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Planning an Effective Website

• Information Architecture
• Information architecture is the science of
  figuring out what you want your site to do and
  then constructing a blueprint before you dive in
  and put the thing together. John Shiple,
  Webmonkey.com

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Planning an Effective Website

• Information Architecture
• Know your audience!
• Organization and site structure are very
  important aspects of IA
• There are many methods of organizing
• Aids with building navigation

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Planning an Effective Website

• Blogs
• Pros
• Cheap (free) and easy way to get information on
  the web
• Almost no learning curve
• Extremely flexible
• Cons
• Requires a commitment to content creation
• Comment moderation

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Planning an Effective Website

• Tips
• All-Volunteer Workforce
• Static content, minimal updates
• Back-up personnel, back-up plans
• Software
• FrontPage or Dreamweaver
• Fireworks, PhotoShop, Picasa

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Planning an Effective Website

• Questions/Answers
• Helpful Resources handout
• Please fill out an evaluation
• Thank you!