Dynamic Websites 

Our Websites are built dynamically.  You may ask, "What does that mean?"

Early websites were built with a code called HTML (Hyper-text markup language).  This code was the structure of the website, and in order to alter the website, you had to go in and alter the code.

Today's websites are built in a database that stores all the information about the website. This database holds color information, locations to image files, text and other data for your website. When your Dynamic Website is loaded, it loads a code which goes into the database and pulls out the necessary information to build your website. The website is built as the page loads.

This is ideal because, now you don't ever have to change the code to update your site. All you have to do is update the database. You change the color in the database, and that color changes everywhere it is used on the site.

Page Layouts

When creating a website, one thing to keep in mind is how you want your page to look, what the layout will be. Our most basic pages use a simple layout. A Header on top, with a menu directly below that. We then split up the heart of the page with a side column on the Left and the Main information on the larger area to the Right. On the bottom, we have a footer.

You could have the exact same layout, with the side column moved over to the Right as well. You could even have a column on Both the Left and the Right and the Main Content could be located in the Middle. It's extremely flexible. The side column is generally used for additional menu choices, login screens, advertising, or small chunks of information that you want your visitors to notice. Of course, if you don't want a Side Column, then you just turn that off, and you will only have the Main Area. Or, if you want to get really fancy, you can have the Side Column on the Home Page only, and turn it off on all the other pages!

The Main area is where your core content will be found. When you are on your Home Page, this is where you'll put your welcome message, recent news, updated information, or a combination of these. On your other pages, this area will hold your archives, or you image gallery. Perhaps you have a Restaurant Menu or a back story about your company. This is the area that information will be displayed.

As websites become more complex, you find you might want to have two small columns, a Dual Left, or a Dual Right. MSN might use this kind of layout in order to display the thousands of bits of information they want to get out.

This is handy for information intensive websites, but can be overbearing when used in a site for your furniture business.{mospagebreak}

Complex Layouts

As your site matures and becomes more complex, you can add Modules to your site. Modules are areas within areas. You can have modules cover the entire width of your area, or be broken up 2, 3, or even 4 times. Modules are great for secondary Menu Choices, Bits of Information, Advertising, Coupons, Random Images... Sky's the limit.

Modules can be placed, almost anywhere. MSN's website probably looks like the example to the left. Just filled with little bits of information, all with links directing you to other pages with even more information. Modules can be turned on and off, depending on the page, which gives you limitless configurations for your site. Again, this is just an example of how far you can go with your layout.

When I build a website, I generally grab a blank piece of paper, and I begin drawing the layout. I just draw a rectangle, and then start drawing squares and rectangles inside. I erase, redraw, and erase again... until I get the layout I want. Then, I build the site. It's a great way to think the site through. It helps you to see the entire vision of the website and gives you a solid layout.

Either way, I hope this helps you when you start thinking about how your site should look!