Supplying your initial website content

Content comes first

All content to be displayed at the website's launch must be finalised before website design quoting proceeds. That content should include at least one example of each type of content the site will have.

There are three reasons for these requirements. The first is that content is king and design is dependent on it. A second and related reason is that making all of the website's content types available to the designer acts as a safeguard against unexpected results that may otherwise occur if you add material for a content type for the first time later. And the third reason is that designing according to a fixed set of content is much more efficient than gradually adjusting a design-in-progress based on evolving content requirements. The cost savings are passed on to you.

You need to begin with a clear plan for your website's launch content, and proceed, in consultation with JB Web Design, to a clear plan for content-relevant design features, which will form the next stage of the design process.

What if I can't foresee the need for content changes prior to the launch?

After the launch you can add further content yourself or have JB Web Design add it at a price separate from the design contract. If you require the newest content to be added before any of the content is made public, the site can be launched to a password-protected directory on the web and the newest content can all be added at one time before the password protection is removed.

What if I need help with content development?

JB Web Design can assist with content development at its hourly rate as necessary prior to design quoting and supply it to you prior to your final decisions on what to include.

Choosing what to include

As mentioned above, the content planned for the launch should include at least one item for each type of content - such as text, photos, photo galleries, videos etc. If your text content dictates the need for more than one content area on a page, you should include some text for each area. Likewise, for example, if you know you will need to display two different types of photos in two different types of photo galleries, you should prepare at least one set of photos for each type of gallery. The same principle applies to any other type of content. Planning content in this way is also important for the content management training process.

Organising your content files

Once you have chosen what to include for the launch, including any content developed by JB Web Design, you must organise it in one package that includes a master document in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or text file (.txt) format listing the names of all included files.

Website text should be sent in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files if possible, or otherwise in text (.txt) files. Use a separate file for the text of each page. Give each file the name you want the page to have in links on the website.

In each of the files for page text, show which parts of the text, if any, you want in separate areas of the page design. Annotate the page with details of any other files to be used with the page, such as photos, audio files or videos.

Photos you send in your package should not be embedded in any other type of document (such as a Microsoft Word file), but sent as stand-alone files.

Sending your content to JB Web Design

You must send your content to JB Web Design in one package at one time in one of these formats:

• A single email with all files attached in a single zipped (.zip) document
• A series of emails with the master document attached to the first email
• YouSendIt Express or YouSendIt.com
• Data CD
• Data DVD
• USB memory stick
• Flash memory card

If you choose one of the physical media, ensure it has safe packaging and send it to 1 Jorl Court, Buderim, QLD 4556, Australia.

Please advise JB Web Design separately by email as soon as you have sent your package, regardless of the format, so JB Web Design can gauge when it should arrive.

Need clarification?

Please contact JB Web Design if you need clarification of these content arrangements.

James Brecknell, owner-operator