Information Architecture for the Web: Enhancements: Overview

We've explored the basics of web development, but there's much more to learn. Advanced applications involve using a variety of technologies together. Many open-source resources are available for you to modify and use.

Before adding an enhancement to your website, ask yourself the following questions:

How do the enhancements specifically address an identified user need?
What's the advance of this approach over a more traditional approach to the content?
If the pages will no longer validate as a result of the enhancement, how will you ensure that the content or option is still available to end users?
Are the enhancements available for all browsers and operating systems?
Will plug-ins or other additional software or resources be necessary? If so, will directions and links be provided? Is it likely that users will spend the time to download these resources?
If using outside providers for services such as surveys, blogs, or wikis, are provisions made for backing up information? What if these services are no longer available? How will this impact the website?

Navigation and Branding

As you explore the possibilities, think about how your enhancements can create effective navigation or help brand your website.

Explore some of the following samples. What do you like and dislike about each? What elements could you "repurpose" (copy and adapt for your own purposes)? Keep in mind that you don't need to create everything from scratch, you can copy components that you like and integrate them into your own project.

sample 1 - a sidebar navigational panel positioned absolutely (revisited from Class 7) using a background image.

sample 2 - a topbar navigational panel using a background image.

sample 3 - using a frame as a navigational panel.

sample 4 - helping the user work through small links with the pseudo class HOVER.

sample 5 - changing a pseudo class into a true class in order to change HOVER styles.

sample 7 - attaching an image (scrolling) as a logo and using it as a link.

sample 8, sample 9, sample 10 - variations on a "last updated" JavaScript using different styles.

sample 11 - setting a footer and a header at the same time using a JavaScript.

The Possibilities

From online quizzes to voting, you can build a website that can do practically anything. Rather than developing materials from scratch, consider adapting coding. Many people write code for fun. You can find and repurpose this code for your own use.

Many Internet Service Providers provide access to free scripts and CGIs. Check with your service provider for options. For example, Geocities provides "add ons" including email forms and guestbook. You can also view your statistics and place a counter on the page. An option is also provided for pull-down menus.

Geocities Add-Ons

There are many cool things you can do to enhance your Geocities website. You can locate these enhancements on the Add Ons page. These require a Geocities account.

Email Form. There are many applications of the Email Forms option. You can create a form in HTML or using a web development tool such as Dreamweaver. You can also copy and modify the sample forms from Geocities. If you wish to use the email form option, you'll need to create and use your own, free Geocities account. Even if you have the rest of your website housed somewhere else, you can always link to this site. Login to your Geocities account. Go to the Email Forms page. You simply copy and paste the code into your web page. It will automatically send an email message to the email address that you list in your Geocities account information. Be sure that the following line includes your geocities login. For example, my geocities login is iupuislis.

Other Options. Besides email forms, you can also add a Guestbook, counter, map, weather, and pull-down menus.