Web site design outline

OUTLINE

This road map defines the steps followed in developing a web site.

Setting up a site

Most Web sites usually adhered to some commonly accepted practices especially in its main pages, but then have specific pages that are related to the specific services provided by the site.

Commonly accepted practices

Web sites usually have a home page together with a number of other pages found on most sites. Such other common pages often include a FAQ (Frequently asked questions) page, or a news page that describes some siginificant recent developments related to the organization that owns the site.

Some commonly accepted practices are also arising in some generic application.

One example here are shopping baskets in shopping sites.

Specific requirements

Setting up a site must begin by identifying user requirements and the transactions to be supported by the site to meet these requirements.

The following steps are suggested:

Step 0
Setting goals
Identify the broad goals of the site. This step is usually part of strategic planning and identifies the business objectives of the site and broadly states how the site will achieve these objectives. Part of the strategy for the site is to define its general site characteristics.

Step 1
Identifying activities
Identify the main activities to be supported by the site and its main users.

Step 2
Specifying the system
Identify ways that users will use the site - identifying different kinds of users and the workspaces that will be provided for them to use the site. Develop specifications for the workspaces. Define typical scenarios for each kind of user.
Each scenario will probably be implemented by one or more pages. It will also identify the paths to be followed in the scenario.

Step 3
Logical design
Design the broad web site structure and propose an initial directory to organize the site pages.
Some generic structures can be found by clicking here.
The directory will be constructed by grouping pages by scenario with each group havings its sub-directory.
Set up a skeleton site showing the main pages and the links between them illustrating how particular scenarios will be supported.
Illustrate the scenarios with a storyboard.
The pages within a scenario may then lead to a further sub-directory.
Establish a policy for linking pages.

Step 4
Implementation
Begin detailed page design.
The information needed to complete the operation on a page should then be identified.
Links should be provided to facilitate obtaining such information, possibly through links between pages in different directories.

Some standards

Most web sites adhere to a consistent page design. This usually means that positions and contents of selection menus are the same in each page.
Each page should have a button to return to the home page, and that button should be in the same place for each page.
Ideally each page should have menu with an entry to each major site component.
Often there is a page that diagramatically describes all the components of a site - it is sometimes known as a map.
Feedback and help pages are usually provided.
There should be a Webmaster address which can be used by users to report any technical problems encountered with the site.

Now go to step 1

Step 0 Setting goals	Identify the broad goals of the site. This step is usually part of strategic planning and identifies the business objectives of the site and broadly states how the site will achieve these objectives. Part of the strategy for the site is to define its general site characteristics.
Step 1 Identifying activities	Identify the main activities to be supported by the site and its main users.
Step 2 Specifying the system	Identify ways that users will use the site - identifying different kinds of users and the workspaces that will be provided for them to use the site. Develop specifications for the workspaces. Define typical scenarios for each kind of user. Each scenario will probably be implemented by one or more pages. It will also identify the paths to be followed in the scenario.
Step 3 Logical design	Design the broad web site structure and propose an initial directory to organize the site pages. Some generic structures can be found by clicking here. The directory will be constructed by grouping pages by scenario with each group havings its sub-directory. Set up a skeleton site showing the main pages and the links between them illustrating how particular scenarios will be supported. Illustrate the scenarios with a storyboard. The pages within a scenario may then lead to a further sub-directory. Establish a policy for linking pages.
Step 4 Implementation	Begin detailed page design. The information needed to complete the operation on a page should then be identified. Links should be provided to facilitate obtaining such information, possibly through links between pages in different directories.