Web Site Design Tips for SCS Webmasters

Navigation

Develop an easy to follow navigation system. This allows visitors to know where they are at all times and helps them find information quickly and effectively. Otherwise they may feel like they are driving around a strange city where none of the road signs make sense.

Every single page of your site must be easily navigable.

Basic Considerations

As you are developing your navigation system keep in mind that every page should have links to the main pages for each main category and to the Home Page. Place those links in the same place on every page to provide a consistent appearance.

Inside each main category, links should be provided to the primary pages inside that category. Place those links in the same place on each page inside that category.

Here is an example. Notice that the main category buttons are across the top of the page. There are only 5 of them so they are easier to place horizontally across the top. Links are also provided to the miscellaneous pages (those offshoots of the home page that did not fall into a specific main category). Those links are also placed horizontally at the top of the page but they are smaller to signify their level of importance in relation to the main category links. The links for the category "Information," in this example, are placed vertically down the side of the page. It is easier to place a large number of links vertically than it is to place them horizontally. The page's title is shown as an image on the side opposite the category links. This helps provide a certain balance to the design.

You may view the full-sized version of this page at
http://www.scs.k12.tn.us/scs/high/collierville/info/index.htm

 

Provide a Search Engine

If your site is small, a search engine for your site is not really needed. Visitors should be able to find what they need by using your well-designed navigation system and site map.

If your site is growing and becoming more detailed, you may consider adding a search feature to your site. For larger sites, help your visitors by providing a method for them to search your web pages for specific topics and keywords.

Providing an internal search engine for your site is easier than you think. It is a simple matter of registering with a free online search provider and then "Copy & Paste" the code they give you into your Web page. There are many free services available to small sites. Services are also available at low costs for larger sites (over 500 pages). Some good search engine services are Freefind and Atomz. (You may find IE easier to use when visiting these two Web sites)