Keywords
Checklist website
Checklist website building
Contents website
Webpage contents
How to build a webpage
Web site building
Building web site
Building a web site
Web page building
Building a web page
Building web page

 

 

Checklist website content

  

Why this page?

It often strikes me that even professional designers don't have a list of "standard content for websites". They reinvent the wheel each time they build a new site.

Beginners sometimes don't even know where to start: which things to put up first, and why.

This webpage lists the most basic and some advanced features you can consider putting in your website.

Most of the elements here are present on my own site, which you can use as an example.

What more can you do to increase success?

You should at least know which keywords to target. Consult the free high-quality tool Keyword Traffic Estimator to discover the best keywords for your situation.

If there is one thing more you can do for your own site besided following these guidelines, it is optimizing your site with a tool like WebPosition Gold.

Elements you shouldn't leave out

  • Logo: Your logo, besides its function as a hallmark, can be used to link to your site.
     

  • Banner: A banner adds a graphical element in which you can state the purpose of your website, your slogan, your name.
     
  • Date last edited: This element will tell your visitor that you keep your pages fresh and living.
     
  • Title: a general title states the content of the current page.
     
  • Categories and content: try to divide your content in a few (4 to 7) categories. Fill each category with about the same amount of information.
     
  • Copyright message: Usually found at the bottom, this element stresses that you work hard to deliver useful content and that you want to keep it yours. 
     
  • Counter: A counter keeps track of your visitors. A must-have if you want to promote your website! Know your audience!
    Tip: put your counter outside any tables. This speeds up downloads.
     
  • Links to other sites: a good way of getting visitors is to exchange links with other webmasters. Put links, logos, and  descriptions here.
  • Graphics: A few well-chosen graphic elements will enhance your page.
     
  • Link to homepage: If the current page is not your homepage, reserve some space to put a link to the homepage. This will keep your site together.
     
  • Link to own sites/pages: Do not forget to link between your own pages, even if they handle different subjects! 

Elements you can add

  • Keyword list: Adding a keyword list, preferably in the first column of the layout table, will help to get you listed in the search engines. Do not forget to perform a thorough keyword research to identify the best keywords!
     
  • Member entrance: If you want to protect a section of your site (for example, with contact information, a route description, CV), you can "pass word protect" it with javascript.
     
  • Date today: A current date (), often placed in the top right corner, will establish a feeling of "this site is up-to-date". Of course this does not mean you don't have to update the page often!
     
  • Search this site: If your site grows larger, adding an automatic search feature helps your visitors find what they're looking for.
     
  • Search the web: Many search engines, such as Google, allow to put a search box connected with their engine on your page.
     
  • Put in favorites: Visitors can click this link and the page will be added to their favorites. Javascript-based.
     
  • Email page: Visitors are encouraged to let other people know that your site contains something of interest for them.
     
  • Print this page: Especially if you have a content-rich site with a good layout, visitors will like to print your webpage for further reference.
     
  • Downloadable material: Compose downloadable material and put it on your website. Not only freeware counts, also documents, templates, graphic material, and other stuff people are interested in.
     
  • News ticker: Service offered by online news agencies. Especially if you can taylor the type of messages to your page theme, short news flashes will interest your visitors.
     
  • Contact information: If you're not afraid of giving away personal information, put your email address at the bottom of each page. Insert something like SPAMREMOVE to avoid being picked up by spammer programs ("email harvesters").
     
  • Guest book: A guest book allows your visitors to leave a comment about you or your site. Can be pretty (if you get good comments) or nasty (if someone misuses the guest book to call you names or so).
     
  • Link to us: Explain to your visitors that you are ready to exchange links with them if they want to. This helps build link popularity and direct traffic.

Other interesting sites

  
[last updated on 12/02/2003 ] [peter.doomenSPAMREMOVE@advalvas.be]
  

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