Web Page Hints
Organization:
- It makes it a lot easier to work on your website if you have it organized. One easy way to structure your information is to only put your html files in your main web folder. Then create sub-folders for your images, PDF documents, etc.
- Once you've looked around and seen what you like or don't like, then start the web process. It's not a good idea to just start throwing things on your web page and trying to organize it all once you've accumulated hundreds of files.
- Read the Web Services Style Guide. It has lots of rules/guidelines/hints for making your web page better and will help keep you out of trouble.
Storage Space:
- While the school does give departments & faculty members web space, the web server is not a storage space. Everything that is in your web folder is accessible to the public through the web. Even if you haven't linked to it, files can be picked up in search engines and anyone can get to your items.
- With lots of people putting personal items on the web server, space fills up fast and we may have to start imposing restrictions on users. It only takes a few people/departments abusing the privilege before we have to create restrictions for everyone.
- Nobody should have media files on the web server, unless they have a specific academic use for them within their website and the files are not violating copyright laws.
- If you have used Photoshop to create graphics for your site, that's great! But we don't want the .psd files on the web server. Store those somewhere other than the web server.
Images:
- There are only 3 types of images that can be used on web pages - GIF, JPG & PNG. PNG isn't used that often. Your images will most likely be GIF or JPG. These are the only image file formats you should use on your web page. GIF is used for simple line art and JPG is used for color intensive images (such as photographs).
- The clipart found in Word or WordPerfect are not web images. If you are desperate for some clipart, there are several websites that offer free web clipart, just do a search for them. (Be careful when searching, some of these types of sites can pose security risks.) We do not encourage the use of clipart on official university pages.
- If you would like custom graphics, think through what kind of imagery you would like. After you've put some thought into your needs, email a request to Web Services. We're happy to help the campus community, within reason. Be aware that some projects will have to take a backseat to other (more important/time sensitive) projects.
Content:
- Web sites need to contain relevant content. Relevant does not mean just reusing all of your brochure/promotional materials. You need to evaluate and analyze the content you want and need to provide for your audience. Rewrite materials so they are to the point and contain useful facts and information.
- When getting ready to build a new web site or redesign an existing site, it helps to ask yourself some questions. These can be found in our questionnaires: