Why Improve an Existing Site?

Why would a school or office webmaster need to overhaul and improve an existing web site?
Because the site has problems. Such problem web sites often have:

• Little content and few pages.
• Too much content and not enough staff to update it.
• Out-of-date content.
• Overly complex technology that hampers users, e.g. heavy use of frames, Javascript, Flash, uncommon plug-ins.
• A confusing navigation scheme.
• No regularly updated content on the home page.
• Not yet transitioned to the MCPS site template (office web sites).
• Not focused on the intended audience or the school or office's message.

Where Do I Start ?

Creating a brand new site from scratch seems a breeze compared to rescuing a problem web site. Yet working on an existing site is the norm for most webmasters. If you're about to tackle a major overhaul of your school or office web site, it's helpful to your survival and success to follow a process. These documents should point you in the right direction.

1. Site Upgrade Process (25K PDF)
   Structure your work by following these steps

2. Site Purpose Survey (29K Word Template)
   Why do you have a web site? Answer these questions to clarify your purpose and plan.
   Survey Sample (27K PDF)

3. Content Inventory
   Get to know all the pages on your site. Then, delete, consolidate, simplify.
   How To Conduct a Site Content Inventory (275K PDF)

4. Office Site Outline (62K Word template)
   Structure your content before you begin building.
   Office Site Outline Sample (18K PDF)

Updated <October 24, 2008 | Contact Webmaster