How do I determine what Page type and Layout to use for each webpage, as I do
not have the trial and error experience with being a web designer?

I'm reading "The Missing Manual" and HTML books. I've also been learning a lot
from these forums... what to do and what not to do. I've started our new
website with a blank HTML template in DW, though the more I read - the more I
realize I am not informed. Like one of the Newsgroup Pros (Murray) on this site
has indicated about his scheme for laying out a website, I now know that I need
a layout plan for this website. Since I used to create databases, I know the
questions to ask to layout the relational tables for the optimal result and
making the front end easy enough for a Monkey to use. However, this is my first
website ever and with a new employer. I've already loaded our products in the
purchased shopping cart and I have a mock up for the website Home page. There
will be an additional 6 webpages. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Christine

On Wed, 6 Aug 2008 14:41:03 +0000 (UTC), "HappinessGrows"
<webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote:

>How do I determine what Page type and Layout to use for each webpage, as I do
>not have the trial and error experience with being a web designer?
>
> I'm reading "The Missing Manual" and HTML books. I've also been learning a lot
>from these forums... what to do and what not to do. I've started our new
>website with a blank HTML template in DW, though the more I read - the more I
>realize I am not informed. Like one of the Newsgroup Pros (Murray) on this site
>has indicated about his scheme for laying out a website, I now know that I need
>a layout plan for this website. Since I used to create databases, I know the
>questions to ask to layout the relational tables for the optimal result and
>making the front end easy enough for a Monkey to use. However, this is my first
>website ever and with a new employer. I've already loaded our products in the
>purchased shopping cart and I have a mock up for the website Home page. There
>will be an additional 6 webpages. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>
> Christine


Totally agree that you should learn html/css etc.

but much more than that -
One book I found very helpful:

http://www.ineasysteps.com/books/details/?1840783141
--

~Malcolm~*...
~*

> How do I determine what Page type and Layout to use for each webpage, as I
> do
> not have the trial and error experience with being a web designer?

It's graphic and user interface design. Ideally, you'd base it on
wireframing and usertesting.

Beyond that, trial and error and best guessing...

-Darrel

Thanks for the reply Murray. My answers here will definitely show you that ~I'm
dancing on the border line of clueless with I know a little about HTML and DW
to get me started and not enough to keep me out of trouble~.

>What page type? Not sure what you mean here.
The Page type is within DW new document selection. I selected Page type - HTML
template for building my webpage.

>1. What is the primary target demographic for this site?
We sell wholesale to Dealers and Distributors. Additional website users will
be Sales team, CCTV techs and new potential customers.

>2. What are the browsing habits of that demographic? Do they normally >have
their browser window maximized on the screen?
>3. If they usually have their browser maximized, what is the typical >screen
width?
>4. If they usually do NOT have their browser maximized, what is the >MINIMUM
screen width in that demographic.
Our current website does not track browsing habits of our users, so I do not
have this info. The only probable info I have is our users use IE or another
browser compatible with Windows.

>As you can see, this decision is probably much more complex than you
>thought, and will require that you know quite a bit about your intended
>target visitor and their browsing habits.
Yes, what I've been reading the choice is much more complex and I'm asking
many more questions to piece together the website that will load quickly on a
browser and be effective for our customer.

>So - which is it? 8)
My choice without knowing how much trouble I will cause myself or the pros and
cons of each that you indicated, I would select "d. Flexible (within limits)
and left aligned"

Thanks Malcolm!

>Malcolm_

>One book I found very helpful:
>http://www.ineasysteps.com/books/details/?1840783141
Any tried and true book suggestion is a great resource. I'll add this to the
books I'll be ordering by weeks end.

Thanks Darrel!

>darrel

>you'd base it on wireframing and usertesting.
Yet another area that I haven't explored.

>Beyond that, trial and error and best guessing...
I don't mind the trial and error and best guessing, I just don't want to fall
flat on my face.

Thanks Murray, all of this is great help. There's far more to consider than
just doing a step-by-step DW tutorial.

>ready to save the page as a Template (FILE | Save as Template....) so >that
DW can set the appropriate extension
This is one step I haven't gotten to, though I know our web host uses PHP, so
your example is what I'm after.

>You would also want to know how old the typical computer being used in >your
demographic is. Older computers tend to have smaller and lower >resolution
screens, therefore narrower browser viewports.
This will be a crap-shoot for me on trying to find out how old the typical
computer being used will be. I will have to go by what the standard in web
building is to accommodate for some of those older computers and standard for
abilities/inabilities of computer users.

>Actually, I think the better choice would be fixed width and centered, >but
since that's my personal preference I'm likely biased.
It's great to know your preference. I selected "d. Flexible (within
limits and left aligned", because I don't know how to center in DW. No
comparison, but I know the amount of measuring and adjustment involved when I
center within Photoshop, AI and InDesign. I've recently come off of doing
another catalog, so that's fresh in my mind.