Information Security

Web Site Structure Paper

IT/220

January 16, 2011

Web Site Structure Paper

Web site structures are the main component when first creating a web site or page. The content of the web site a user wishes to put forth will dictate what type of structure they would employ. As a beginner, a linear structure would be a good choice because of its overall simplicity. But advanced users might want to consider employing a hierarchical structure because it offers many more options than a linear structure. They will also be a time when a user is creating a web site with an exceptionally large site with tons of information. The best option for this situation would be a mixed structure because it made up of components from the other types of structures.

Linear Structures is a story board in which each individual page is linked with the pages that follow and precede it an ordered chain. To navigate through the pages, users move forward through the web pages in sequential order or backwards to view the previous pages. Linear structures are best suited for web pages with a clearly defined order. They can sometimes be difficult to work with as the chain of pages increases in length. A Linear structure can be modified to make it easier for users to return immediately to the opening page, instead of back tracking through several pages to get to their destination. This would be known as an augmented linear structure because each page would contain an additional link back to the opening page.

Hierarchical Structures is a structure in which the web pages are linked going from the most general page down to more specific pages. These web pages can be linked to even more relevant topics. In a hierarchical structure, users can navigate more fluently from general to specific and back again. In this type of structure, an introductory page consisting of general information regarding that particular website could be linked to web pages that describe in detail the components of this...