Getting Started

I. Ten steps to a successful Web presence

  1. Formulate a plan:
    1. Gather resources for the Web site.
    2. Determine goals and objectives.
    3. Gather, outline, and organize your content.
    4. Develop your navigation.
  2. Review Communicating on the Web.
  3. Initiate an official Web site request by submitting the Web site request form (except student organizations). Student organizations should fill out this “form”http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/sf/SOS_webrequest/ to request a Web site.
  4. Attend an initial Web development meeting.
  5. Approve your design.
  6. Attend slate or Dreamweaver training.
  7. Create Web pages from template and integrate content.
  8. Notify Web Services when Web site is ready to go live.
  9. Maintain Web site content.
  10. Stay informed of current Web standards and best practices.

II. Dreamweaver vs. slate

Adobe Dreamweaver is a Web development application originally created by Macromedia which allows template-based Web site design. Prior to the development of Web Services’ content management system—called slate—all WVU Web sites were Dreamweaver template-based designs. A working knowledge of Dreamweaver is still required for the maintenance of a large number of WVU Web sites.

Slate was developed to help University departments and organizations manage Web sites through an easy to use interface. The majority of all new and redesigned Web sites are managed in slate. Web-based content management is one of the key advantages to choosing slate over Dreamweaver.

III. SimpleForms

SimpleForms was developed by Web Services to allow users to create online forms and surveys that can securely collect and store data. The data can be accessed and exported from the system at any time by the user for easy analysis.

Request a SimpleForms account

IV. Tutorials

V. General Resources