Back to webmaster resources

Some advice to help you get started

While Web development isn't rocket science, there are some things to keep in mind that can make the process easier:

1. Pick the right person to be your webmaster. In addition to seeking all the typical traits of a good volunteer, you should pick someone from your group who enjoys working with computers and is interested in learning to build a website. You may find there is someone in your group who already knows how to make web pages and can help you with very little effort.

2. Learn HTML. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the "language" web pages are written in. It's not a language like English, and it's not even a programming language like BASIC or Java. It is very simple and very easy to learn and we have even provided some links to free online tutorials from our webmaster resources. You don't need any special software to create a webpage; just a text window like Notepad and a browser for testing are enough.
   There are many software packages that let you build web pages without knowing HTML; they use point and click interfaces to create HTML code for you. However, people who know HTML can typically use these tools much better than those who do not, because they have an understanding of the underlying process. The advantage of Web authoring software is that it allows novices an opportunity to create a website using a familiar environment. On the other hand, many people find that such tools (typically, packages like Microsoft Front Page and Macromedia Dreamweaver) actually encumber their speed and effectiveness when they do not understand the underlying HTML. Consider carefully the best approach for your site, and whether you want to invest time and money in special software.

   IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT FRONT PAGE: Our server environment and tech staff support Microsoft Front Page for our established users who were set up that way, but we are no longer creating Front Page site accounts for new users. Because of the way it interfaces with the control panel on our server, Front Page has proven problematic for both us and the groups we host. If you must use point and click software rather than HTML to create your site, we encourage you to consider Dreamweaver.

3. Keep it simple. Novice Web authors often want to show off their skills by using blinking text, complex background images, frames, sounds, and other such elements in their web sites. It is recommended that novice Web authors consult more experienced authors before installing "bells and whistles." When used properly, such elements can enhance your site. When misused, however, they distract the visitor from important content and give an impression of "technology run amuck."

4. Think in scenarios. When planning how you want to lay out your site and organize the information on it, scenarios can be a very useful tool. Think about the people you expect to visit your site: members, people who saw an ad for your group, news reporters. Think about what kinds of information they want and how you can make it easy for them to find it.

5. Balance links and length. Websites made out of a single page that scrolls on forever are difficult to use. With just a little bit of planning, you can come up with a meaningful organizational scheme for your site. Overall, try to keep the layout and file structure simple and consistent, and if a page gets longer than three or four "screens," see if you can't split it up. You also don't want to make users click too far in to get to the information they need. There is a standard "2-click rule" that says a site visitor shouldn't have to click more than twice to find most information.

6. Research other websites. Visiting other websites to sample their layout and content can be one way of deciding how to approach your own site's design. We suggest you pay attention to navigation, looks, and special features. If you see a page you especially like, you may even want to select down your browser's "View source" option and copy the code to use as a foundation for your own experiments. Note: HTML code is not usually copyrighted, but content may be. Use common sense and courtesy.

7. Ask for feedback. Be sure to ask fellow members of your group how they like your website, if there's any information that could be posted that isn't, or if they have trouble finding anything. Also please feel free to ask the IHS technical staff for feedback. We will be delighted to help you get your local site looking elegant and professional. That's our job.