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)

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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.

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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:  Stakeholders  Analytics (commonly visited pages)  Current topology or site map  Technical 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 Page  Site Map  Navigation  Error Trapping  Layers 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  Management  Maintenance  Design 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!

If you have questions, please feel free to call or e-mail:  Kathie Glassel Technology Programs Administrator 717-526-1010 X 3353 [email protected]

 Nic Poague Database / Web Specialist 717-526-1010 X 3354 [email protected]