Advice for creating easy-to-update sites? - Graphic Design Forum and Web Design Forum

inbetweendays · #1 (**permalink**) 28-06-2007, 09:57 PM

I am currently working on creating a 30+ page website using HTML/CSS/JavaScript alone (no additional server side scripting or databases like PHP or MySQL). I will be creating each page "by hand" so to speak.

I am curious if anyone has any recommendations on creating 'library' items to make the process less tedious. For example, if I want to change the navigation links in the future I don't want to have to update every single page.

I've used Dreamweaver library items before, and am not a great fan of though... any other recommendations/thoughts?

Thanks!

Toon · #2 (**permalink**) 29-06-2007, 09:38 AM

A javascript menu should have the ability to do this.

I use a programme called menumachine for Go-Live if I do a site over 30 pages for this reason. I update the menu file and it updates site wide.

breonsnow · #3 (**permalink**) 30-06-2007, 10:42 AM

you could do the site in asp and the use an "include" for the menu, then you only have to changing one file will change the site wide... I am new to this but it works a treat on some of the site I have been working on. (you will need asp turned on your host....)

Mack · #4 (**permalink**) 30-06-2007, 06:36 PM

Have your navigation contained within a header.jsp for example, your footer in a footer.jsp
excuse the tables and what not, but this is something old i had laying around that would do what is needed.

Code:

<body>

<table id="main">
<tr>
<td id="header"><jsp:include page="includes/header.jsp" flush="true" /></td>
</tr>
<tr><td id="content">
<jsp:include page="content.jsp" flush="true"></jsp:include></td>
</tr>
<tr><td id="footer"><jsp:include page="includes/footer.jsp" flush="true" /></td>
</tr>
</table>

</body>

Russlock · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2007, 09:19 PM

Just get your page how you want it in dreamweaver and then save as a template, then create your new pages from that template.

i.e new-from template- your template.dwt

as you would already have the code in the template for your external css, little things can be changed on that, i.e colour; fonts ect, but if you did a major change, just change your template, and dreamweaver will ask you if you want to change all pages made from that template.

easy peasy, lemon sqeezy.

inbetweendays · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2007, 05:25 PM

Thanks to everyone for the feedback... I ended up going back to Dreamweaver library files, and realized they weren't so bad after all, at least until the site is transfered to PHP or some form of CMS.

Mack · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 12:06 PM

the above .jsp includes could be done just as easy, and Cleaner with some php includes to include a header and footer.

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