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COMM 3353: Communication Web Technologies I

COMM 3353: Communication Web Technologies I. Chapter 8a: Web Site Design, Production, and Aesthetics. www.class.uh.edu/comm/classes/comm3353/ppt/_Pres8a.html. Web Site Design, Production, and Aesthetics. Designing A Web Site. Designing A Web Site.

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COMM 3353: Communication Web Technologies I

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  1. COMM 3353:Communication Web Technologies I • Chapter 8a: • Web Site Design, Production, and Aesthetics www.class.uh.edu/comm/classes/comm3353/ppt/_Pres8a.html

  2. Web Site Design, Production, and Aesthetics • Designing A Web Site

  3. Designing A Web Site • A web page can be created by almost anyone with access to a server, and with some basic understanding of HTML. • Once a company or person decides to have an online presence, the real work of creating a web site begins. • Not just writing a couple of jazzy HTML docs. • Requires thorough knowledge of how the web works, combined with marketing, design, and Internet technology.

  4. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • The key to a successful Web site: • Detailed Planning • Site Architecture should be completely mapped and planned prior to the first tag’s creation. • Site content, graphics, video, audio, and links should all be identified and gathered during the planning stages • Mapping gives designers an overall image of how each page fits with the site’s overall architecture.

  5. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Sites are structured as “Levels.” • Most sites open at a “door.” • Index.html --or-- home.html • first-level pages (sections). • Then. . . navigation to interior documents. • A2.html • Second-level pages opened from first-level pages. • A2_Link.html • Third-level pages opened from second-level pages.

  6. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Each successive level increases level of content. • The more you navigate into a web site, the more specific the content becomes. • Web site design should be done with both provider and user in mind. • A web site may be “perfect” from the company’s stand point, but worthless from a user point of view.

  7. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Two Major Components: • Design • Building • Site design begins with an under-standing of WHY users access the Web • Then. . . Combining the needs of the user with the needs of the provider. • Site Building involves deciding purpose, goals, content, presentation, feedback mechanisms, and site advertising.

  8. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Stages of Deliberate Web Site Planning • I. Going Online • II. Content • III. Organization • IV. Evaluation (rating)

  9. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Stage I: Going Online • Establishing a Purpose • The architecture depends on the provider’s purpose. • A “purpose” guides a site’s basic design function. • A site without clear objectives and goals will most likely be unsuccessful.

  10. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Going Online, Continued. . . • Goals and Objectives measure a site’s success. • Should be quantifiable. • Exact amounts or terms • (e.g. number of hits on the company’s site) • Should have a clear method of evaluation. • The absence of clear goals and objectives can mislead management into thinking a web site is cost-effective or successful.

  11. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Understanding motivations and targeting an audience • People’s reasons for using the web follow a “shifting” pattern like the web itself. • Methods of Viewing: • Instrumentally • A defined purpose • Ritualistically • Casual surfing to pass the time, or checking the latest news, out of habit.

  12. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Understanding motivations and targeting an audience, /Cont./ • The first step in Web Site Design: • Site designers must recognize their target audience, and recognize the needs of that audience. • Then. . .the Site provider’s needs and goals should be interlaced with the needs and motivations of the audience.

  13. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Determining the type of site needed and hiring personnel: • After identifying the Goals and Objectives, and identifying the Target Audience, a Webmaster and supporting staff should be obtained. • Factors that contribute to the size of support staff needed: • a) complexity and depth, b) maintenance, updating • Determining needed staff and their roles: • Webmaster, content editor, art designer, technician, software maintenance, security, and email liaison.

  14. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Stage II: Online Content • The success of a Web site is dependent on how well the content of the site matches the interests and needs of the target audience. • It should match the goals and objectives of the provider as well. • Success is also measured on site efficiency • Prioritize links in accordance with importance. • Content must be planned around a general theme or purpose

  15. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Stage II: Online Content, Continued. • Value-Added Web Content: • Content, such as games and contests, used to attract visitors and keep them interested and connected to a particular site for longer periods of time. • Most experts agree that value-added content and interactivity are a “must” for the success of any web site

  16. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Stage II: Online Content, Continued. . . • Keeping a Site Interesting: • Updating and changing content is inviting to repeated users and encourages repeated visits • The web is unlike most other media forms in that lacks a publishing or broadcast date that lets users know how old a document actually is.

  17. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • III. Organizing a Web Site • Overall Web Site Organization depends on: • Provider • Purpose • Type • Components of Site organization • Mapping • Grouping • Linking

  18. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Mapping • Mapping: A Map is a top-level diagram, representing an overall design, used as a guide for site development • Web Blueprints: A Map that shows how various levels and documents are laid-out and linked together.

  19. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Mapping, Continued. . . • Most sites are mapped in a hierarchical manner • A “Center” or “Home” page that links to each site’s various sections. • Each section is made up of various linking pages.

  20. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Mapping, Continued. . . • Some sites are mapped and configured in a “Wagon Wheel” configuration. • The main page acts as a “hub,” linked to all the other pages • All the other pages, in turn, are linked to each other.

  21. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Mapping, Continued. . . • Horizontal vs. Vertical Movement through a site: • Vertical: Movement from a site on one level to a site on a lower level. • (e.g.: from a homepage to an interior page) • Horizontal: Movement from one site to another, but on the same level. • (e.g.: pic page 1 to pic page 2)

  22. Designing A Web Site, Continued… • Grouping Subjects together: • Arranging sites together based on content and purpose • Establishing Link Pages • Linking pages on each level should be consistent with the section or area it’s in.

  23. The Internet and theWorld Wide Web • End Chapter 8, Part I.

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