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 3353kglassel@pacounties.org

If you have questions, please feel free to call or e-mail:

Nic PoagueDatabase / Web Specialist717-526-1010 X 3354npoague@pacounties.org