Additional features for your site
For the vast majority of web sites, just having an attractive, easy to navigate site with well written content is all that is needed to best serve your web audience. People are usually trying to find something specific when they go to a site - information, something to buy, etc. - and you don't want to slow them down with unnecessary "fluff".
A specific site may benefit from brief audio or video, as long as it can be controlled by the user. In some cases you may want to allow visitors to send you specific information though an online form, to pay online, view a "photo gallery", read a blog or calendar, or make a room reservation. All of these "features" require more work than standard web pages.
Music and Video
I can easily add audio or video to your site. I comply with copyright laws, so what you want on the web site either needs to be in the public domain, or must be copyrighted by you, or you have to get permission from the copyright owner.
Here are some sites with audio clips:
Here are sites with video playing directly from the site:
Here is a site with embedded youtube video:
Scripted automated processes - forms, online payment, photo galleries
Most web pages are what we call "static" web pages ... the page looks essentially the same to everyone who sees it.
"Interactive" pages have some form of scripting that "makes something happen" depending on input from the site visitor. If the visitor can enter information into fields on the web page, and then clicks on a button to "submit" the info, that process is run by a script. Shopping carts, photo galleries and blogs are run by scripts.
The most common uses of scripted web pages on sites for small businesses, individuals, or organizations are:
- A form that gather's information that you request from
the web visitor - like email address, name, phone number -
and sends that info to a predetermined email address:
www.NorthStateSymphony.org/request.shtml
- A "button" or text link that works with PayPal to allow someone
to buy something or donate money using
a credit card at the PayPal web site:
www.PictureFarm.com/order.shtml
www.TheVoiceOfThePiano.com/buy.shtml
www.RepSingers.org/tickets.shtml (during the time tickets are available, they can be purchased on this page; also scroll down to see the Donate button)
- A photo gallery script that displays photos
with "popups" on a web site:
www.CarlosDelgadoArchitect.com
www.APrairieJournal.com
www.MarleneAlt.com
www.SoldiersHeart.net/gallery/2008.shtml
- The same script can also be used to create photos fading in and out without
the use of video:
www.ChamberMusicConcerts.org
www.LithiaArtisansMarket.org
Third party services
In some cases, third party software or services are the best solution for a specific website function. When I use third party software or services on my clients' sites, I take care to make the "scripted" pages match the design of the rest of the site as closely as possible.
- Blogs and Forums are scripts that let authorized
users enter information that is then displayed on a web page. The blog
or forum has settings controlled by the administrator. For instance,
Wordpress is a popular blog software. I make sure that the blog does
not take people off your own site, and that the blog page looks like
the rest of your site. Here is an example of an "on-site" blog:
www.FifthWednesdayJournal.com/blog - Reservation services allow businesses that rent
rooms or cabins display room availability in real time and allow users
to make reservations through the website. This site uses a service
called Rezovation:
www.greenspringscabins.com - Calendars can keep site visitors informed of events. The easiest
way to maintain up-to-date calendars is for the website owner to set up
and maintain a Google calendar, which I then embed in the website:
www.soldiersheart.net/events.shtml
(click on the text link near the top of the page)