How to set up your Web site
Editor's Note: This site recently underwent an overhaul, so I apologize if things seem a little out of wack. The Set Up, Build and Run sections still contain the same valuable Web publishing resources as before, but I have also added a new blog that covers the latest trends in the worlds of Web journalism, Web business and Web technology. Please stop by The Indiepub Blog when you get a moment -- and feel free to leave your own comments, thoughts and rants!
I now return you to your regularly scheduled browsing ...
Organizing a Web site is the same as organizing any other content-based project. If you've ever written a term paper, researched an article, or assembled a package of stories, you've already got a sense of how to bring things together coherently.
Those of you with journalism backgrounds will benefit from the lessons you've already learned about understanding your audience. The same reader-centric factors that help you make smart decisions in traditional journalism will help you in the Web world. Keeping readers in mind during the development process will positively influence your site's navigation placement and content layout.
Furthermore, journalists' orientation toward content -- it is, after all, what we make our living off of -- assures that content will be the focus of your site. Keeping your eye on the content means it will be well crafted, and well-crafted content is something everyone appreciates.
Using the Set Up section
The sub-categories of the Set-Up area are numbered 1 through 4 for a reason. The information you obtain in the early stages is integral to the advanced stages. Because of this, you'll be best served by following a linear path beginning with Reality Check and progressing through to Buy.
Set Up's sections break down like this:
- Reality Check: A look at the pros and cons of publishing a site.
- Define: Tips for focusing your site.
- Organize: Ways to map out your site.
- Buy: How to register a domain name and buy server space.
