| Making a successful website is not only about having | | | | write the filename. Is it in a catalog below, use |
| aesteticly pleasing pages, they also (and probably | | | | 'catalogname/filename' - or '../filename' if the file is in a |
| most important) must be functional and easy to | | | | catalog above. The two dots means 'up one catalog.' |
| navigate. | | | | Our fourth point is: Use relative addressing We've got |
| If you want to find some information, you usually | | | | quite a way in our planning now - but there are one |
| don't want to figure out how to get to those pages | | | | more thing that's important to remember. The links. |
| first. What we already know is: The pages must be | | | | You should already know it's important to check that |
| functional, with logical navigation. | | | | there's no dead links on your pages, especially not |
| How do you ensure that? Most importantly, the | | | | within your own. You're in total control of those. |
| navigation must be the same from page to page, do | | | | When you link to pages outside your site, you're |
| not change the functions and placement of navigation | | | | likely to discover some of them may disappear, |
| on similar pages. I.e. pages on level 1 must appear the | | | | causing you a bit of link-rot. But what of those linking |
| same, level 2 pages must function similar to each | | | | to you? When you update your pages, you may be |
| other, but may be different from level 1 pages - just | | | | tempted to change filenames, or move pages into |
| make sure there's no confusion where you (the | | | | different catalogs. This may cause problems for |
| visitor) are. | | | | other people - and through them also you... Not |
| At some time, more or less often depending on the | | | | everyone want to link to your index-page, the "front |
| site, you want to update the pages, and probably | | | | door." Some would rather like to link directly to the |
| add new ones. At this point, you would like that the | | | | pages they find interesting. What would happen if |
| pages are easy to update. Already, we have the | | | | you changed that filename, or moved the file? People |
| second point on our list: The pages must be easy to | | | | following that link would get an error message |
| update And how is this managed? Well - you have to | | | | instead. Do you think those who linked to that page |
| make certain you don't have to do a lot of | | | | don't deserve better? Then think more closely: It's |
| time-consuming work each time you add a link. Some | | | | your pages that are not found - and it's much easier |
| say that this is a great argument in favour of | | | | to remove a link completely than search out for the |
| frames, as you only have to update one file, but all | | | | new location. In other words, another point: Try to |
| good editors (even free) can manage to do a search | | | | keep the filenames, and not moving files I've written |
| & replace on several files, and there are | | | | 'try' here - there may be reasons you really want to |
| pre-processing tools that can help, too. | | | | move files (like reorganizing into different folders) but |
| As an example of bad planning here, is my own, | | | | in that case, set up a redirection to the new file by |
| previous pages: The links were represented by | | | | the server. If that's not possible, at least let there be |
| rooms in a building. | | | | a small file in it's place, with a link pointing to the new |
| Looking good, but what happened when I had to add | | | | location. |
| a page? I had to remake that little map, in my case | | | | It takes little space, you keep the visitors, and it's |
| several times because I filled the current room with a | | | | giving people time to change their links. |
| colour. Yikes! Adding pages became a chore, and I | | | | If you want to delete pages, do as above: Make a |
| may have put it off longer that I really should. But I | | | | small link pointing to a suitable place on your site. But |
| learned. | | | | is it neccessary to delete the file? There may be |
| I've learned more, too. I have managed to write a | | | | space-restrictions that force you to this move, of |
| few pages here, and when all pages were in the | | | | course, but if you can keep an archive of old files, |
| same folder, well - things could definitely be better | | | | that may be an idea - especially if people find the |
| organized. Not to make the pages better, but to | | | | content interesting. If you have access to your |
| make it easier to maintain - which leads us to a third | | | | serverlogs (or get other statistics) then study them |
| pont: Organize all the files - for your own sake How | | | | and see. |
| will you organize it all? Just the same way you would | | | | There - all is said now, isn't it? Graphics? Design? How |
| do on your hard disk: Move files into various catalogs | | | | things look? Sure, that is an added bonus. Do not |
| (or folders.) You may have one catalog for your | | | | misunderstand - it's imporant enough, but these |
| hobby, and catalogs under that for various images | | | | things must be seen in connection with the functional |
| and files that are used. | | | | and navigation; These themes can't be separated! Or |
| And similar for other sections. A thing to think of, is | | | | to set it up as a point: Graphic design is part of the |
| that you may want to have several catalogs for | | | | functional and navigation Try to make the graphics |
| various images; Backgrounds, illustrations, navigation | | | | before you think of navigation and function, and you |
| buttons etc. It makes it easy to find what you're | | | | may make it difficult for yourself. |
| looking for. | | | | Think of navigation and function without bothering |
| When you are visiting pages on internet, you'll see | | | | with graphic design until that's sorted out, and you |
| that the url-field in your browser changes to show | | | | may have a hard time getting pages look like you |
| the address of the page you're on (unless the site | | | | want. You have to do this at the same time. |
| use frames.) All addresses start with http:// and then | | | | We now have a list of points to consider when |
| the path to the page - but is this neccessary to | | | | planning a website: The pages must be functional, |
| write in the links to your own pages? No! It's much | | | | with logical navigation. |
| better to use relative adressing; You refer to the | | | | The pages must be easy to update Organize all the |
| pages relatively to the page that is doing the | | | | files - for your own sake Use relative addressing Try |
| referring. If the page is in the same catalog, just | | | | to keep the filenames, and not moving files |