While reflecting back on the
process of creating a web site, I concluded that time was the biggest challenge. Collecting all the information
needed to put a site together is very time consuming. The next huddle is looking
for a user-friendly web-authoring tools, also deciding on a web-hosting service is not an easy decision to make for a non-designer.
My first web page was designed using Geocites, one of the free Web-hosting services.
Geocites is more difficult to work with from my experience. Working within a
text frame was a big challenge in Geocities. When you click “text”;
it provides a frame within which to write. I did not like the idea of working in a box.
Tripod, on the other hand, provides better text platform for non-designers. Now
reflecting back and from some literature on web design, I will join others to say that text frames are not essential to site
design, it should be avoided as much as possible; instead create and use open door pages which are better.
I also had problems initially
with hyperlinks, these problems where however, easily tacked. I had to make sure
my internal and external links were working. Tested and re-tested them using the view option.
When hyperlinks don’t work, they give error messages. There is nothing
worse than clicking on a link and finding that classic error message: 'Error – Page does not exist'!
I wanted to give my page a great
virtual look by using appropriate font size. I played with font types and sizes.
I finally concluded it is better to use the same font type through-out the body
of a website. It gives it a more professional look.
Deciding on a color scheme and
choice was painstaking and time consuming. However, Finkelstein (2003) article,
provided some information to complete my website design. He stated in his article
that you can specify the RGB color value in an entire space in a website. I found Frinkelstein’s article very timely
for my web project.
As for graphics, for my first
attempt, I did not even go there for two reasons. One I could not decided on
an appropriate picture or graphic design. I definitely did not want to use a
personal photo. Secondly, using pictures from the internet could raise issues
with copyright when published on the World Wide Web. I therefore kept graphics
to a minimum. I used the picture gallery provided by the web-hosting services
which happens to fit the purpose and theme of my site.
My focus in the initial design
stage was the “looks” of the pages. I then finally switched gear
to focus on content. The bottom line is keeping visitors on the site and providing
relevant information. The first web page is never a complete work, because it
takes a while to focus on the objective of the site. I intend to update and continue
to add features to my site. In that way the site is up-to-date with current information
for my audience. My future challenge is to keep up with this update communication
procedure so that my site appears current and topical for the purpose and audience it’s meant to serve.
Reference: Ellen Finkelstein,
E. (2004). How to Do Everything With PowerPoint. Presentations. April, Vol. 18 Issue 4, p18, 2p.
