>----> Go Menu Merchant >---->

Creating HTML Pages

There are many things to consider when presenting your information
to the world. This section is broken up into two smaller sections:

  • Important Conventions to Use

    When creating your pages to be viewed on our server,
    there are certain conventions that you must follow in
    order for the server to correctly serve your pages.
    1. When someone wishes to access your
      pages from our server, they will most likely type in
      your URL something like this:

      http://youraccount.youthofamerica.net/

      or

      http://yourdomain.com/
    2. In order for the server software to pull up your pages, there must be a page in your directory named "index.htm" or "index.html". This is what the server looks for as a default file to bring up as the first page in your set of pages. If one is not there you will get a "Forbidden. You don't have permission to access /" message.
    3. You must also remember that when you reference your own pages from within your html documents, the files are CASE SENSITIVE. For example, "mypage.html" is a different file than "MyPage.html".
    4. Try not to incorporate spaces into any of the names of your files or folders, as it will just be more complicated for you, and anyone viewing your pages.
  • General HTML Do's and Don't's

    Here are some tips to help the overall quality of your pages.
    1. DO - Sit down before you create your pages, and brainstorm about what your goals are for your pages. Try asking yourself some of these questions:
      What information do I wish to convey, or have available? What is my target audience? What type of browsers do I wish to write for?
    2. DO - Take time to organize your pages by drawing a storyboard of their progression. You will be much
      happier if you take the time in the beginning.
    3. DON'T - Inundate your pages with graphics that are too
      large. Graphics are an important element to many sites, but if they are used in excess, they may make your readers leave. Try using some utilities to make the graphics you scan or create smaller.
    4. DON'T - Make your pages too large in width or length. Not everyone has large monitors, and scrolling is something that may turn off your readers.
    5. DO - Break up your pages into logical sections to make it easier for your readers to find what they are interested in.
    6. DO - Look at the source code of any cool pages that you find to see how the author created them.
    7. DO - Obtain texts on the subject for reference. HTML books are everywhere these days, so go to your local bookstore and indulge yourself.

    These are just some suggestions on creating your Web pages. There are many publications on and off the Web about how to create your pages.