web development

Each successful Web site development project begins with a goal in mind: for example, to gain exposure, to increase efficiency, or to do something better via the Internet. Coupled with this motivation is a set of perceived needs that the Web site could fulfill.

Our initial task of scenario making is an informal activity specifying goals, functionality, audience, and conditions of use. Then, in a more formal process, we develop the requirements needed and measurable/attainable goals which can be used to track the effectiveness of our work.

Java Servlet technology provides Web developers with a simple, consistent mechanism for extending the functionality of a Web server and for accessing existing business systems. A servlet can almost be thought of as an applet that runs on the server side--without a face. Java servlets make many Web applications possible.

Further Reading

http://java.sun.com/products/servlet/

Active Server Pages technology generates HTML and passes the dynamically created HTML to the browser to be displayed to the user. Microsoft created Active Server Pages to make it easier for developers to create dynamic Web sites in a Windows environment.

Further Reading

http://course.cengage.com/careers/glossary/programming.cfm#cgi

Web site design is where the site content is created and assembled into pages. Quality web site design is critical to entice your audience and project a professional image.

Web Site Design Process

• Content Design
• Theme Design
  Development of the site's standard visual elements.
• Copy Development
  Text organization, writing, and editing
• Creative Feature Design
  Stand-alone graphics and multi-media beyond sites standard elements
• Production Processing
  Makes all content web-ready.

A Web Application Engine is an extension to web servers that process/interpret web application code. Some app engines are built into various web servers others must be installed.

App Engine Tip

• Carefully select your application platform. While all engines can accomplish nearly identical functionality some will be a better fit for where you are and where your web future will be.

Popular Web App Engines

• CGI Scripts (Perl,C/C++,PHP)

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an organization to develop and promote open standards on the Internet. Comprised of an international consortium of companies, it is the governing body behind HTTP and HTML/XML standards.

Our Practices:

We recognize the power of collaboration, and try to use W3C standards whenever possible. This ensures that the web sites we build today will function in the web browsers of the future. It also allows the information on your site to be accessible to as many users as possible.

Further Reading

Value describes the overall worth that is derived from your site for the organization.

Means of Value:

• Promote name recognition
• Elevate company's perceived value
• Establish credibility
• Generate sales leads
• Enhance sales process
• Expand markets
• Reduce operating costs
• Improve communications

Further Reading

The End-User Needs Analysis defines the web site requirements and expectations from the customer or audience's perspective. The Internet is the ultimate open market and if you do not effectively meet users growing expectations of what a web site should offer they will find someone who can at the click of a button.

An Internal Search Engine allows searching within a site for pages containing certain keywords. Internal SEs are particularly useful on large sites as an alternative to hierarchical menus for site navigation. Many scripts/programs are available to add searching capability to your site.

Internal Search Engine Tips

• It has been estimated that over half of web users are search dominated versus hierarchy links dominate. As your site becomes larger it is important to offer both options.

Quality describes the overall value (both perceived and real) of your web site from your audience's perspective. Quality drives the value of your site. While many people focus on aesthetics in judging quality, total quality relates to all aspects of your site.

Web Site Quality Gauge

• Basic:
  Packaged template design, light promotion
• Competitive:
  Custom theme design, strategic planning, functional features, moderate promotion
• World-Class