How to Create a Website

According to the document, UNESCO aims to promote universal access to information and to contribute to the strengthening of communication and information capacities. These guidelines are meant to assist those who are planning to develop websites that deal with programmes and activities in the Asian region. This manual offers guidelines that are based on lessons learned and good practices and aims to provide a solid foundation and conceptual grounding that will ensure a sound approach towards the development of technical skills.

The manual offers four major chapters.

• Chapter One: Planning Your Website - This is aimed at assisting website managers and developers in planning a well-thought out website. To be able to achieve this, the chapter first lays out the definition, principles and importance of the planning stage and planning techniques. Then the elements of planning a website are offered which contribute towards a website that responds to user needs and the goals and objectives of an organisation. These elements include definition of audience, determining user requirements, formulation of measurable goals and objectives, drawing up a content outline, and determination of how information will be collected and updated. Selecting the most appropriate software products and tools to create, implement, update and evaluate the effectiveness of a website are part of the planning process. Planning also involves making decisions concerning various required resources to support the operation and development of a website.
• Chapter Two: Webpage Design and Development - This chapter focuses on four elements to focus on when designing and developing a user-friendly website - the artistic and visual/graphics; the content and text; the structue that supports the visual design and makes the website navigable and accessible; and the standard web technology that supports functionality of the website.
• Chapter Three: Advertising and Promoting Your Site - This section offers some principles of website promotion and a host of promotional techniques that are designed to increase access and visits.
• Chapter Four: Assessment and Evaluation - This section offers a list of indicators for measuring the usability, value and quality of a website, more specifically in the areas of content, design, usability, navigability and searchability and interactivity.