Operation Manual

Starting from Scratch 63
♦
If your site is intended for clients or customers, think of it as more
than an electronic business card—think of it as a newsletter with
publication deadlines. Don’t let more than two weeks go by
without making visible changes. The changes don’t have to be
dramatic; the main thing is to reinforce the perception that your
site is dynamic, not static. The Home page should change most
often: add new links, or replace old graphics with new ones. Add a
new page or two, expanding the original sections. (Be sure to post
notice of the new features on the Home page.) Revise the design of
any pages that aren’t working the way you expected.
♦ Visitors’ feedback is important. Be direct about asking for
comments, and make sure you’ve included an e-mail return link.
Challenge your users to respond! Give them some specific choices
to make (“Would you rather see A, B, or C on this page?”). Let
them feel they’re contributing.
♦
As a rule, keep the background and section organization intact so
as not to confuse repeat visitors. Sections that began as a single
page will require a section menu as soon as a few new pages have
been added. If you’ve got a navigation bar with a button already
linked to the original page, turn that target page into the menu page
to keep the link intact. From a site management standpoint, it’s
usually easier to switch content to a new page than to rewire
existing links. (You can see the content, but you can’t easily see
the links.)
Where should I go from here?
The answer should be self-evident: Get straight back to work with
WebPlus! Your own experience will be your best teacher. We’re proud
of WebPlus, and hope you enjoy using it to develop a Web site you can
be proud of, too.
Thanks for joining the Serif product family... and here’s hoping we see
you online soon!