Web Style Guide
What You’ll Need
A Home for Your Web Site
Where will your site live when it's done? You should think about this before you get too far. There could be additional possibilities or restrictions that could affect your design.
SDSU faculty, staff, students and academic departments can ask for free Web space on the library's ROHAN Web server. Some colleges and departments also have their own servers. Please contact your department or college computer consultant.
Identify Roles and Responsibilities
A Web site also requires people resources. Several roles should be filled for every Web site project. These roles can be performed by one person or by multiple people.
Keep in mind, however, that people do leave their jobs, so it's a good idea to do at least a little cross-training. You don't want to get into a situation where you aren't able to access your Web site because someone took all the knowledge (including passwords) with them.
The table below outlines the tasks and skills involved in building and maintaining a Web site.
|
Tasks |
Site Management |
Content Accuracy |
Development & Maintenance |
Advanced Development |
|
Role(s) |
Web Manager |
Content Owner |
Web Designer |
Web Programmer |
|
Job Summary |
The one person that makes sure everything gets done. |
The person(s) who make sure each piece is correct. |
The person or people who build and edit the site. |
The person or people who add advanced functionality to a site. |
|
Duties |
Acts as primary contact person for the site Ensures compliance with university Web page guidelines Makes sure Web site is up to date and accurate Provides contact info for users to ask questions to content owners Responds to user feedback in a timely manner Makes sure maintenance people don't duplicate or overwrite efforts Ensures that site structure meets user needs |
Responsible for accuracy of their section of content Ensures no copyright laws are violated Ensures there is a way for users to contact them with questions about content Gives edits to site maintenance people Ensures that site structure meets user needs |
Build Web pages Convert content to Web format Create or convert graphics and images Make updates to pages Does not make changes unless authorized by Content Owner. Should adhere to university Web guidelines Ensures site structure meets user needs |
Adds programming for more advanced tasks such as: forms, databases, calendars, bulletin boards, counters, surveys, animation, streaming media, etc. Keeps team apprised of technical developments that could alter future site design |
|
Skills Needed |
(Web Manager) Management skills People skills Ability to see "big picture" Knowledge of Web site possibilities Knowledge of university policies |
(Content Owner) Proofreading skills Familiarity with copyright law Knowledge of how to organize content for the Web |
(Web Designer Knowledge of image editing program (Photoshop, Image Composer, etc) Familiarity with HTML editing program (GoLive, Dreamweaver, etc.) Knowledge of how to organize content for the Web Basic knowledge of FTP |
(Web Programmer Knowledge of programming such as Perl, CGI, php, Java, JavaScript, ASP Knowledge of streaming media or animation techniques using RealMedia, Flash, etc.) |