About Lori Expertise I can answer questions regarding troubleshooting, graphics (all formats), tables, frames, ADA compliance, copyright laws and creating fast, user-friendly web sites. I am not familiar with Mac.
Experience I have been using PageMill for over three years - creating over 10,000 pages with the program for fourteen websites (nine of which are for non-profit organizations).
Organizations I belong to various genealogical and historical organizations, and a few engineering groups.
Publications Local newspapers and organizational newsletters.
Education/Credentials I'm one semester shy of a degree - majoring in theological research (need yet another course in Latin) with a double minor in mathematics and archaelogy.
Expert: Lori Date: 9/15/2004 Subject: Building a webpage
Question Where do I start, when I want to create a website for my enterprise?
I haven't started this project, so my question is: do you have any useful tip to get started?
Answer Since I don't know what kind of endeavor you are embarking upon, I'll keep this basic. It comes down to: What do you want the masses to know about you/your company?
1 - Start with a background. Avoid anything painful (neon colors, bad color combinations, wonky patterns) and anything overly dull (solid colors don't invite anyone to stay at a site). Choose something that either fits your company's field (say something woodsy for a logging company) or your own personality (plaid if you have a Scottish surname or blue if you just love blue).
2 - Choose a signature font. Not a special, one-of-a-kind font. Most visitors won't have a rare font on their computer so the browser will default to Times New Roman or Arial. Just a nice font (check the list in your word prossecing program) that meshes well with you and the background - and is very easy to read! Stick with this font for all titling. Use Times New Roman, Arial or the like to handle all the "body work" (explanations, details and lengthy information).
3 - Avoid the scurry factor. Sites that have autoplay music, flashing elements (logos, banners, what have you) or animated gifs send much of the public running for the hills. Clean, simple sites work best and relay your message the best. If a site starts flashing or gyrating, or if some music booms out at me (even if it's well done), I leave and studies show most people do the same.
4 - Keep it short. Feel free to plaster your company logo (and I'd recommend creating one if you don't have one yet) at the top of every page, but place it prominently on the main index page. All other data on that page should be brief (extremely) and all lengthy explanations should be linked to another page from a subheading. The slide bar on the right side of your screen should never be less than an inch long (two inches is even better) on your main index page.
5 - Date it. Put the creation date (which is actually the date you first put the site online) at the bottom. It's the standard place people go to find it. When, in the future, you update the site, add a "last updated" date after the creation date. You should update (check) your site every month at the very least - even if you're only changing the "last updated" date.
6 - A valid e-mail link. Always have a valid, often checked e-mail link on the main page.
That's the very basic how-to. If you need specific information such as how to create a company logo, how to get backgrounds imported into your computer and online at your website, or if you just want a helping hand, feel free to e-mail me privately at <dawnlea@ticon.net>. Happy to help in any way. I've done everything from company to celebrity to non-profit to just-for-fun to in-house/non-public sites. It always comes down to image.
