Here is my design tip for you all...
Less is definitely more. (God I can here my professors now...)
The one thing I did notice during my second look at the DG page was that there are about 3 consecutive links to get to one page... more specifically... I clicked on the "Sisters" link. Then I had to chose an option between alumn and actives or something (fine). THen I had to go thru another link which basically said the same thing... and so on so forth.
Point being... websites need to be straightforward. You can have all the crazy gimmicks, flash animations, frames, advanced message systems, etc... but if a viewer gets lost in a series of links, they are going to skip over the page. I don't know if that is just the program you are using or what.
IMHO... (take it with a grain of salt if you want) a greek webpage should consist of the following:
- A homepage with maybe a picture or two, maybe throw in an announcement or two (XWS sorority wins Greek Week...etc) You don't need a whole paragraph explaining it because people on the web may just skip over it cuz it's too long. I know i don't like reading essays on websites. If you MUST explain your latest victory, do so on another page/java window/etc.
- A history page that has national history (if you are national) and your local history. Here you can include a brief description of your symbols, colors, etc, but you don't HAVE to include detailed pics of them. (More pics equal longer downloading time... not all PNMs are going to have cable modems.) And if you have room, include your awards or something... again... optional.
- A photo album of some sort: keep this simple!!!! It will take too much time to DL each photo if you have scanned every single picture from every event and smacked it on your site. Rule of thumb: try to get the basics for the semester and make sure each sister is in at least ONE picture. If you must, break it down into social events (incl formals), philanthropy events, sisterhood events, maybe some rush pics.
- Recruitment info... this is pretty self explanatory. Again, keep is simple. PNMs are probably going to be looking for dates and times.
- Philanthropy info: this can probably be included on the history page. But explain what you do, who the organization you are supporting is, etc.
- Contact page: This is IMPORTANT! You need to have a page where you have the webmaster's email, the presidents, recruitment chair's, alumna advisor (or whomever is in charge of alum stuff) and maybe your social chair's email. This is how people will contact you.
Optional pages:
Calendar page... the only reason I have a calendar page is because there are alumnae in the area still that might wanna show up to events. But in all honesty... it's one of the least looked at parts of my site. If you absolutely have to have one... an elaborate one is not necessary. I would just type out the events and date in tables.
Sisters page... I would add this page if you had the space. It isn't that necessary either but it's kinda neat to see who is in the sorority or if you recognize names. Profiling each sister is a big hassle so don't do it. Maybe include the emails of the sisters if you don't have a contact page. But again... do it if you have the time.
MSG board: guestbooks are fun and all but you gotta keep an eye on them. I have had plenty of drunken madness and crazy fraternity guys sign stuff on our guestbook... and then just turned around and deleted it. A large scale MSG board (phbbh or whatever comes to mind) isn't all that necessary either. A simple guestbook is fine (as I am finding out with my sorority this semester.) Just as long as people can give shout outs or for PNMs to request info (of course they can always email you too.)
On a side note: what program is everyone using to come up with their sites? I am using Dreamweaver 4. I LOVE it! Did the Frontpage thing.... yeah... not too many options.
axotiger... red and green are compliments and look fabulous together in print and on the web. I am surprised you had some trouble coming up with a scheme. hmmm... i know they are your colors... but maybe try different tints and shades?
Ok I wrote a novel... blah... now no one is gonna wanna read this cuz it's too long
