Building Web Sites All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies®

Chapter 3. Expanding a Site

In This Chapter

• Deciding between expanding and adding on

• Starting again from scratch

• Doing a redesign

• Publicizing the relaunched site

Like a toddler using a bike with training wheels, there comes a time when your client needs to make the next step, knock off the training wheels, and ride with the big boys. When this blessed event occurs, you've got some decisions to make: whether to update the existing design or start from scratch and redesign. Many factors are involved in your decision. After you make that decision, you have to design the site in such a manner that the revision or redesign doesn't interrupt your client's current site. So then, if you're in an expansion frame of mind, this chapter shows you the factors to consider when expanding the site. Doug takes the lead in this chapter, showing you the steps he took to update his own site.

Use It or Lose It: Should You Add On or Redesign?

You've designed a wonderful Web site for a client; you uploaded the design and went on your merry way, designing sites for other clients. Several months later, the client comes back to you and — guess what? You've got another gig. He wants you to do more work on the site. The Web site is very important to your client, and he wants you to add information about his new products and services. You meet with the client, and he lays out the grand vision for the site expansion. Now, you're faced with an important decision. Do you add on to the existing site or redesign it from ...