Website Design Principles - Updatability

A website can be made easily updatable in many ways,

• firstly by using CSS to separate content from formatting (see flexibility article),
• secondly by using software such as Macromedia Dreamweaver to create and populate templates,
• thirdly by storing content in a database and using dynamic page generation with PHP or ASP,
• and finally by using content management software such as Macromedia Contribute which allows end-users to utilise templated websites created in Dreamweaver.

Use CSS
Store all font definitions, colours in a separate CSS file and your HTML will be much easier to read for updates.

Use Dreamweaver or similar
Allows you to create a template which can be applied to the entire website, when you make a change to the template all associated files are updated automatically. Therefore if you wish to add a new global menu item, it can be added to all pages without having to edit and save each page separately.

Dynamic database driven pages (CMS Content Management System)
Content is stored in a database (mySQL for example) and is retrieved on demand by a dynamic web page using PHP, ASP etc. This makes it possible to create a website where for example, the website owner can logon, enter news items using only an internet browser, and then the news items are immediately updated on the main news page for their website. The downside to this of course is that the website designer needs to be experienced in database management and in the chosen scripting language. Fearntech are experienced PHP developers (see 'how can we help below') and also have many years of experience in SQL and mySQL database setup and management. Have a look at our testimonials page, and look for CMS in the description for examples of dynamic CMS websites that we have created.

Use Contribute
Allows a website designer to create a website, and define specific regions that can be subsequently updated by the website owner. However, if there are multiple people making updates then each will need to licence a copy of Contribute.

How can we help?
We can assess what levels of updatability you require in your website and can develop static, partially dynamic, or a fully dynamic website for you. Please contact us for a no-obligation quotation.

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