DEVELOP Develop Introduction Hosting Considerations Content Management Promotions Maintenance and Updating Maintenance Checklist

Development - Content Considerations

As content helps determine educational approach, design, and navigational strategies, managing content is an essential factor in determining the success of an educational website, both in its development phase and when the site is operational. The content of your website will become the voice of your museum. Who is going to develop content and who will edit, cross-reference, or copyright your website content on an on-going basis? Who will manage the content of your website once it is live?

Archival Files

Some website files are time or content-sensitive, such as educational programs that integrate headline news, seasonal activities, or museum staff contact information. To accommodate date-sensitive materials some museums direct out-dated content files to an archive section of their website. As soon as information becomes out-of-date, make sure that you up-date the information, move the file to an archive section of your website with clear indications to visitors that the information on the web page is not current, or delete the file all together. Remember to redirect the URL of the deleted content file to a current web page so that visitors do not receive an error message when they try to access the file.

Naming Conventions

Because websites require individual files for each page of content, image, or graphic, it is important to follow naming conventions when developing your website content files. Just as you use catalogue numbers on your artifacts to gather and track information, you will need to name your electronic content files in such a way that you can easily find out what or where they are in the future.This site comprises three main parts called Concept, Design, and Development. The pages are grouped in subfolders named after these parts and the file names start with numbers that reflect their sequence in the Site
Plan and general structure of the website. This page is named 29_contentconsiderations. It is the third page of the development section and the subject matter is 'content.' Following naming conventions will make files easier to use, find, and update and will reduce the number of 'untitled documents' on the Internet.

Museum Information Management

Your website may need to access information already catalogued and housed electronically at your museum. You may need to integrate your collections management database or connect program calendars to your website. If so, consider compatibility for software and content. Revisit your current information management policies and protocols to ensure that they meet the requirements of your website.

You may also wish to review your museum's permission and privacy policies regarding the use of information, images, or data content on your website. When assembling content, make sure you have permission to use and host it on your website. Some information in your museum may be stored for administrative purposes only, i.e. the name of a donor, or the insurance value of an artifact. Databases are non-selective for content. Before you connect any database to your website, ensure that the information in the database does not reveal any private or confidential information. View this website to see how an educational website can protect its content: Art2Life: The Canadian Century

Copyright may not be a concern for artifacts housed in storage. Copyright will be an issue for the images of artifacts posted to your website. Copyright statements protect you from unauthorized access to or use of your museum's collections.