administration of a website site architecture october 20, 2010
TRANSCRIPT
Administration Of A Website
Site Architecture
October 20, 2010
This session covers
What is site architecture Planning site architecture Components of site architecture Benefits of a site architecture Other considerations
What is Site Architecture?
How your site is structured from the top down.
Built while keeping growth, maintenance and content in mind
The home, not the contents of the home
What is it NOT - Information Architecture (IA) (content structure)
Example of Site Architecture Using SharePoint technologies as the example, this is an example
of county site who provides hosting and management to not only county departments but other entities/agencies.
Example of Site Architecture When you expand a site, you see the organized subsites as they
relate to that categorical structure.
Planning Site Architecture Assuming it’s a redesign, first things
first, what information do you have on your current site, such as:StakeholdersAnalytics (commonly visited pages)Current topology or site mapTechnical information (integration to
other systems)
Planning Methods
Card sorting Content inventories Paper and sketch boards Site map diagrams
Which Planning Method to Choose?
How big is the website? What type of website is it? Who is your stakeholders? Consider your workflow.
Planning Tips Organize based on user needs Use clear naming conventions Think like a typical user of your site Plan architecture around the content Ensure all stakeholders agree on the
goal of the website Think about the best way to display
content.
Components of Site Architecture
Brand / Design Navigation Information
Architecture (IA) Services / Features
Workflow / Automation
Search Engine Optimization
Security Model Website
Governance
Component: Brand/Design
A brand is the identity of a specific product, service, or business.
A brand can take many forms, including a name, sign, symbol, color combination or slogan.
Component: Navigation Navigation is one outcome of
designing your site architecture AND information architecture.
Good navigation will reflect the content (IA) and purpose of your site
Good navigation will be relative to the structure of your website (site architecture.)
Component: Information Architecture
The way you organize information on your site (within your site architecture)
Relates to the content itself Decision to use or not to use metadata Who and how the information is
accessed on your website Gets to the heart of the end-user
experience
Component: Services and Features
Relational Databases Features, such as on-line forms or on-
line payments Decision to use XML Service-oriented architecture (SOA) Features such as lists or targeted
data options (SharePoint example)
Component: Workflow or Automation
A workflow is a sequence of connected steps (think of this as a systematic / automated business process.)
Workflows can be used for various pre-defined tasks to increase efficiencies.
Component: Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ties into the site and information architecture through items such as:Home PageSite MapNavigationError TrappingLayers of directories in the site
Component: Security Model
Security ties directly into all the planning of site architecture by: Determining who is accessing what information
and to what level (administrator, editor, anonymous user, other group member, etc.)
What information is being processed on-line and where does that information get stored?
How do you keep the integrity of your information/content?
Component: Governance The purpose of Website Governance
is to ensure appropriate policies are in place for managing a site in a controlled and orderly way.
Governance can and should affect every aspect of your website.
Sites that lack governance, show it.
More on Governance Establishing a authoritative team Set standards, priorities and goals Develop policies
ManagementMaintenanceDesign
Manage change
Benefits of Site Architecture
Agile, no need for redesign to add new features, sites or components.
Consistent user experience
Topic or Site Map Improved content
searching
Cohesive website supportive to both administrators and content managers
Minimize duplication of efforts/information
Reflects the business not the organizational chart
Other considerations
Network scalability Host your own or have another entity
host? Host others? 24x7 up time?
Reference Resources
All sources used in this presentation are on the notes page of this slide.
Questions and Answers
Thank You for Attending!
Kathie GlasselTechnology Programs Administrator717-526-1010 X [email protected]
If you have questions, please feel free to call or e-mail:
Nic PoagueDatabase / Web Specialist
717-526-1010 X [email protected]