| Determining Page Type |
Web pages can be classified into three basic categories:
Static Pages - information that remains the same for long periods of time.
Fluid Pages - information that changes frequently.
Static and Fluid Pages - combinations of both information that remains the same and information that changes.
Determining which category the page belongs to is critical to the design and success of the site.
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Static Pages
These pages are not likely to change and will not need to be updated regularly.
Examples:
- Contact Information
- Directions
- Mission Statement
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Fluid Information
These pages contain information that changes frequently.
Examples:
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Static and Fluid Information
These pages contain information that does not change along with information that does.
Examples:
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From the very start of the web site process, you should look at all proposed pages and determine which category they belong to. If a page belongs to the Fluid or the Static and Fluid category, you must make a further determination of how often it will need updating. Do you have the resources to keep it up-to-date? If you do not have the resources (time or money) to keep it up-to-date, do not put it on the web. Old, inaccurate, or out of date material is deadly to the success of the web site.
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Make a complete list of pages with fluid information and a plan for keeping them updated. Note whether they change frequently, by date, with warning or without warning. Set a schedule for site updates that meets your organization's needs, be it daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly. When you add new pages to the web site, be sure to update this list.
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Work Around
You may want to put up pages that are a combination of Static and Fluid information but not have the resources to maintain them. Just scale back what you want to do.
Example:
The products you sell may remain fairly constant, but the price is market dependent and changes weekly. The products can still be put on-line, but have the end user contact your office for price information. Not only will this keep the web site current, but it will also direct potential customers to you.
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