Web Site Design and Construction (Derek Stockley)

<body>  <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p><a href="home.html" target="_top">Home</a> > <a href="helearn.html" target="_top">E-learning</a> > <a href="eindex1.html" target="top">Web Site Design and Construction</a> ></p> </td> </tr></table> <hr /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <h1>Web Site Design and Construction (WSDC)</h1> </td> </tr></table> <hr /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"> <a name="subhead1"></a><br /><h2>Introduction to Web Design/Web Redesign</h2> </td> </tr></table> <hr /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"> <br /> <p><i>This </i><a href="ejourneydefn.html">e-journey</a><i> is a free, comprehensive, step by step </i><a href="elearning-definition.html">e-learning</a><i> guide to website design and construction written by </i> <a href="hbackground.html" title="Information about Derek Stockley" target="_top">Derek Stockley</a>. <i>Designed for all those involved in web page development, it is particularly useful for those webmasters developing or redesigning sites for individuals, small to medium sized businesses, educational institutions and community organisations.</i></p> <p><i>The development of new web sites as well as the redevelopment of existing sites is covered. A comprehensive range of information is provided.</i></p> <p><i>This online training program assumes a basic knowledge of how the internet operates, however the elearning content is suitable for both the novice and experienced developer.</i></p> <p><i>This free program was completely revised and updated in July 2003.</i></p> <hr /> </td> </tr></table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="80%" valign="top"> <p>Web design and construction is a fascinating experience:</p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>A learning and educational experience for those of you about to embark on your first web development, or, revisit your existing development. Web site re-development is an ongoing activity.</p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>A personal story about the first and second major re-developments of my Derek Stockley web site. My experiences may provide you with useful insights which guide you through the development process.</p> <p>The experiences, tips and ideas may help you to improve your web design and functionality. Everyone wants users of their web pages to have good, positive and fast experiences. All web masters want to simplify maintenance and update procedures.</p> </td> <td width="20%" bgcolor="#fff000" valign="top"><div>Web design <br /><br />Two points: <br /><br /> - learning experience. <br /><br /> - personal story about design and re-design<br /><br /> Benefits for users and webmasters</div></td></tr></table> <hr /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <a name="subhead2"></a><br /><h2>The Overall Web Design and Implementation Process</h2> </td> </tr></table> <hr /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="80%" valign="top"> <p>In summary, this e-learning program covers service providers, developing HTML and other programming skills, good web page design, development issues, search engines, search engine optimisation and extra resources and references. It provides two information streams: design and re-design.</p> <p>A sample of the issues covered:</p> <p>For new starters, you need an internet service provider to gain access to the internet and email. </p> <p>The company that actually "hosts" your site may be different. For example, some people who have found this page, may choose a free hosting service which is different to the service they use to surf the web Alternatively, you may have an existing provider and you want to review the service levels received.</p> <p>The first major issue for new users is the need to develop skills in HTML and the programming languages used by the internet. For existing users, the questions relate to using the more advanced tools that are available. Should I upgrade and how do I do it? </p> <p>HTML is a relatively straightforward "markup" language that enables you to format the way your web page appears. It was fantastic when it was first introduced. But there is much more to learn including CSS and XHTML. </p> <p>The second major issue is the design and "feel' of the web site. Like many modern magazines and "glossy" brochures, I believe many web sites are "over designed". By this, I mean they use too many gimmicks, have too much color and generally overwhelm the viewer. They are difficult to read, have too many distractions, and take ages to download. If you have an existing site, you may be considering streamlining the appearance and presentation of your web pages.</p> <p>The key elements of good web design: </p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>pages load quickly and provide something to read almost instantly;</p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>pages are well laid out and easy to assess i.e. work out what they are about; </p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>pages are static i.e. they do not jump about as images load;</p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>pages are easy to navigate so that you can find what you want;</p> <p class="indent"><script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="scripts/dotpoint.js"></script>and most importantly, the content is useful and worthwhile.</p> <p>Once you finalise your thoughts on the design, then development proceeds. This involves finalising the design, developing key templates, coding, testing and refining. The overall design is very important.</p> <p>The ongoing maintenance and operation details then need to be implemented. It is an ongoing process.<b> It is essential that the design facilitates expansion and maintenance.</b></p> <p>This e-learning program covers the above issues in greater detail, aided by personal insights and links to a comprehensive range of helpful and informative sites.</p> <p>Your objective in taking this journey is to achieve elements of good web design in your own web pages, whilst making it easy for you to expand and grow as needs change.</p> <p><i>This e-journey has about 10 major pages with many links to external sites that provide general and specialist information. Depending on your needs, it will take a minimum of 30 minutes to examine this e-journey fully. Using the links and putting all the information into practice will involve more time. In the long run, the lessons learnt and the direction given, has the potential to save you from many hours of frustration and annoyance.</i></p> </td> <td width="20%" bgcolor="#fff000" valign="top"><div> Similar to computer development <br /><br />Computer System Development <br /><br /> Course summary <br /><br /> Internet providers <br /><br /> Hosting services <br /><br />Learn HTML and other web tools<br /><br /> Web Design or Redesign <br /><br />Detailed development and refinement<br /><br /> Summary <br /><br /> Objective</div></td></tr></table> <hr /> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td width="100%" valign="top"> <p>If you are now ready to start your detailed E-journey on Web Design and Construction, select the next section: <a href="ej1a-web-training.html">Web Design and Construction - Road Map</a></p> <p>This provides a detailed index of the various sections. Alternatively, you can select from the coral section on the left. This takes you to the relevant section of this e-journey.</p> <p>If you need additional help, see <a href="web-books.html">web books</a> for additional resources that assist in the web development and redevelopment process.</p> </td> </tr></table>   <p>After each selection, please use the "back" button to return to the menu on the home page.</p>  <p>Apart from <a href="home.html" title="Opens home page about the business optimisation services provided by Derek Stockley." target="_top">Individual and organisation optimisation Melbourne 3000</a>,the major business portals on this site are: <a href="h-training-courses.html" title="Opens information page about the range of training courses and consulting conducted by Derek Stockley." target="_top">Training Courses and Consulting Melbourne 3000</a>, <a href="learning/development-overview-h.html" title="Opens information page about the learning and development field." target="_top">Learning Melbourne 3000</a>, <a href="h-performance-management.html" title="Opens information page about the performance management services of Derek Stockley." target="_top">Performance Management Melbourne 3000</a> and <a href="h-seo-sem.html" title="Opens information page about search engine optimisation and marketing." target="_top">Website Optimisation (Search Engine Optimisation and Marketing) Melbourne 3000</a>.</p> </body>