The Purpose of Your Website
The first thing you will need to do is create a purpose for the website. You will have to come up with some "topic" that you can explore and will give you enough information (content) to create a website. If you are not sure about a topic, consider the following suggestions:
- Some type of fictional business (you can model it from a real business)
- Some type of fictional non-profit organization (you can model it from a real one)
- A topic you have an interest in and enough knowledge and/or experience you could share in a website
- A how-to website that explains in great detail on how to make something or what steps to take to purchase an item, etc.
- Your magazine topic could become your website, depending on your knowledge and interest.
- A portfolio of yourself, describing who you are, displaying some school work, describing extra curricular involvement, interests, etc.
Your teacher has a handout that you will need to complete. If necessary, CLICK HERE to make your own copy of the handout in Google Drive. This handout first focuses on information design. This means you will have to decide on what content (information) will be contained in your website and how you will organize it. It also means your website needs to have a purpose so you can decide on how you want to organize the content.
You will also research some other websites that are covering a similar topic to yours. This will help model any good ideas in your own website design.
And finally, you will mock up a site structure and layout plan. So when you start your design using the webpage design software (Wix), you will have an approach and plan of action on how you want to layout your elements and the content.
You will use an online web design software called Wix. Inform your teacher when you are ready and follow the instructions below.
To create your account in Wix: click here.
Designing Your Website
You will use an online web design software called Wix. Inform your teacher when you are ready and follow the instructions below.
To create your account in Wix: click here.
NOTE: You can join using your existing Google Account.
Select the "continue with Google" option. You will be creating a free account.
Wix has a help section once you join and are on your dashboard.
Wix has a help section once you join and are on your dashboard.
Take some time to get familiar with the software and how it works.
GETTING STARTED WITH WIX: CLICK HERE for instructions after you have created your account.
If you prefer video help, below are some suggestions available on YouTube:
- Wix Website Tutorial for Beginners (only 12 mins, good overview of getting started/basics)
- Wix Website Tutorial | Wix Tutorial for Beginners (Longer video, but provides sections you can view)
Here is a basic example of a website created using Wix that you can use as a guide.
Below are the elements and features that should be included in your website. You will be using this list as a self assessment checklist as you finish your website:
Homepage (or Mainpage)
- Clear title identifying the website
- Attractive clean layout with strong eye appeal
- Index or table of contents
- Site creator and contact information
- Date site was created or updated
- Division tags or tables (layout)
- Sections are clearly labelled
- Consistent colours and format throughout the website
- Text is legible and complements the background
- Colour and fonts are effective
- Pages are not too long (not a lot of scrolling is necessary)
- Consistent navigation menu on all pages
- Location of navigation menus is consistent on all pages
- Content is engaging for the intended audience
- Information is clearly labeled and organized
- Information is easy to find (not more than 3 clicks away)
- Links to external sites are evident
- Graphics are of appropriate quality
- Graphics are original, or are copyright friendly/copyright free
- Graphics effectively complement the content
- Spacing (and possibly bullets and/or indents) complement the overall design
- Home page is clearly identifiable
- All internal and external links work and are clearly labeled
- Size of graphics is appropriate
- All pages have a title
- Audio files, video files and animations serve a purpose