It is important to know what type of computer system the business owner uses, because that is the system on which they will be viewing the finished web work.
ON AN AVERAGE GLOBAL BASIS: The average Operating System belongs to PCs. The average Browser is Internet Explorer. The average screen size is 1024x768 pixels. However, there is widespread use of MAC systems, Netscape and other types of Browsers, and a multitude of computers and accessories dating from the old DOS days to the most current in memory and speed.
The Home Page
Any Web Page consists of text and images.
Most commercial web sites can be developed with a minimum of pages.
Not unlike the cover of a book, the Home Page must display not only the individual character of the business, but serve in an illustrative way the contents and objectives of the overall web site. It must load quickly, and be user-friendly across a wide variety of operating systems and computer settings.
Loading time takes into consideration the number of graphic images on the page, and what type of graphics are involved. Small images load faster than larger ones; flat images load faster than animations; java, streaming videos, sound bytes, and other types of enhancements which slow the loading time.
User-friendly defines as offering high visability and easy accessibility to inner content. (If it is a restaurant site, for example, where to find a copy of the menu should be easily found.)
Any Link from the Home Page constitutes a separate web page.
There are only a few fonts which can be read on any type of computer system world-wide (particularly Arial, Courier, and Times New Roman). Any other type of font must be converted into an image (refer to Home page loading time). While this is not a big issue to the overall project, it is one to be considered in the amount of design time involved in developing graphic image support.
A Home Page reflects an overall view of the business, including the type of business, its location and hours, and what other (if any) content can be found within the site. It is always helpful to enhance this page (and any other pages) with graphic images, such as an image of the exterior and/or interior of the business itself. A restaurant, for example, may want an additional page showing its menu. A night spot could ask for a Calendar of its performing talent. A hotel may require a page for showing individual rooms and facilities, plus a page showing rates and booking information.