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Local and global communication skills start with your own homepage. The wish list ranges from an Internet holiday diary to a professional web presence with an attached blog, connection to social networks and an integrated shop system.
The homepage construction kit offered by the hoster should, of course, fulfil all user wishes. Even without the user's own programming skills, the software must meet all requirements. The most important functions of good Homepage construction kits and worthy of consideration are presented in more detail below.
Homepage construction kit - quality variety of hosting offers
Homepage construction kits belong to the central marketing instruments of every web host. They are considered a quality feature for good web hosting service. That's why hosters like to present their modular system as particularly versatile. - Because, in addition to the quantity and quality of the web space, the homepage construction kit also decides the price of the service.
For whom is it worthwhile to pay attention to the building set?
Homepage construction kits can be advantageous for administrators of different knowledge levels. They allow newcomers to quickly build a clear homepage without having to learn the slightest specialist knowledge. Advanced users support the "homepage toolbox" with widgets. They allow the easy integration of additional functions into the existing page. Rather uninteresting are modular systems for users who only want to put a static page on the net or program on a professional level.
They are better advised to focus their priorities on other quality characteristics and costs. The hoster incurs costs through his own work to create the modular system himself or through the purchase of an external application. The system also does not maintain itself. People are constantly working in the background to update the software. Nobody wants to work for free, so the modular system always flows directly into the price or the quality of the web space offer.
Tip:
A small need for support of one's own may affect the functionality of the homepage construction kit without hesitation. Optimally chosen, the construction kit offers only those functions that are sufficient for the planned project.
Homepage for newcomers - more is not necessarily better
In addition to the financial aspects of deciding on a particular hosting offer and its modularity, the homepage toolbox is facing further touchstones. Its functionality must be oriented to the project and the user's skills. Too many functional options do not always prove to be a blessing. The large selection of different functions, of which only a fraction is used, unnecessarily confuses newcomers.
Ultimately, the seriously thought-out layout of the modular system decides whether a newcomer will see through the flood of functionality in a reasonable time. Learning a certain modular system separately cannot be the objective. - If the virtual school bench is to be kept for a long time, it would be more sensible to learn PHP and HTML than to use a tool.
The basic rule is:
As self-explanatory as possible, the construction kit is intended to pick up newcomers and advanced users at their individual level of knowledge and present simple solutions tailored to their needs.
Essential functions - what must a homepage construction kit offer?
Functionality of the modular system is divided into its operability, design functions, technical functionality and the help system.
Usability of the modular system - impressive simplicity of operation
Every user appreciates the ease of use of a tool. Homepage construction kits are nothing more than aids - tools that are intended to make it easier for the user to fulfil a task. In this respect, the construction kit does not differ from other aids of daily life - such as a vacuum cleaner.
A vacuum cleaner should certainly not first query countless presettings, display the current setup with flashing lights until it switches itself on. It should vacuum with "one click", not stick to the carpet and be easy to use. One setup for red sofa cushions, another for blue sofa covers would only make housework more difficult without generating any real added value.
This pictorial comparison shows what users should basically orient themselves by when they decide on a certain homepage modular system.
Problem:
Unfortunately, programmers like to leave the path of virtue of simple operation. In their efforts to improve "usability", they lose themselves in thinking in detail. The result is an operating structure that can do everything, but unfortunately only remains transparent for the programmer and his team colleagues.
A seriously designed homepage construction kit convinces through:
Simple clear structures, meaningful headings and a clean menu navigation with logical submenus.
Creative functionality - homepage design with a professional look
Individuality of design creates the flair of every homepage. Graphic elements set the eye-catcher, text elements satisfy the desire to share information. The layout ensures clarity. The modular system provides support for the layout and graphic design by means of the largest possible number of different templates. Motto templates create the desired basic mood. Nevertheless, they do not determine the user in his homepage design.
Every graphic must be easily replaceable and thus provide extensive scope for own design ideas and the complete individualisation of the homepage. A large selection of possible and above all legally usable alternative graphics is offered by good hosters in the file section of the construction kit. Within the scope of the individual design possibilities, the functionality of the homepage toolbox goes over to the area of text individualization. Of course, texts provided by the template only serve as placeholders and stimulate the own creativity.
For text editing, the homepage construction kit provides a WYSIWYG editor. (What you see is what you get - editor with preview function). The program takes care of the graphical preparation of the text inputs without requiring programming knowledge from the user. The editor also allows graphic elements, widget functions and links to be inserted within the texts, as well as text sections to be moved as required. With all optional functionality, the editor still allows you to switch to HTML mode. Many functions, such as bold or italics, simply write themselves faster than editing the text with the mouse every time.
Examples of the most important design functions:
- Generous image database for all important mottos and occasions
- Possibility to integrate own (external) images and logos
- Free hand with the color adjustment of the layout
- Customizable key visuals (header images)
- Finished layout templates (Responsive Design)
- Font templates (fonts and sizes)
To be noted:
Despite all the automation and simplifications, good homepage construction kits still allow you to work completely manually. The longer an admin deals with the individualization of his homepage, the more knowledge he has. At the same time, the desire to edit pages without any tools grows.
Technical functionality:
Technical functionality, as a basis for the homepage to be created, is provided by the modular system through the layout of the templates. If desired, the system automatically ensures that the menu operation of the homepage is integrated. If central menu elements are renamed, for example Home becomes Homepage, the Homepage Building Kit asks whether the change should apply to all pages.
Drag and drop makes it easier for newcomers to individualize their layout by "moving" it. A pleasant feature in this context is that the construction kit visualizes changes in real time via an automatic preview.
The homepage toolbox simultaneously converts every change to the desktop design into a version for mobile users. (Responsive Layout Templates). In addition to the central control elements, a good construction kit also offers numerous widgets to easily integrate additional functions without programming.
Examples of common functions and widgets are:
- Integration of the favicon (displayed tab in the browser)
- Automatic connection of the Database (MSQL)
- Visitor counter
- Comment functions
- Guestbook
- SEO functions
- Shop system with customer management
- Google Analytics
- news ticker, slider, gallery, slide show, audio player, video, maps
- 1-click installations of external modules (e.g.: integrate a WordPress blog or a forum)
- Imprint Generator
- Subscription to the newsletter with automatic check function
Auxiliary system - explained in an understandable way everybody understands it
For specialists, many things are considered "self-explanatory", which causes the layman to pause and ponder. Well thought-out help systems offer first immediate help for each function by "mouse-over" above the help button. (Not just F1 and then a long search). Detailed explanations as well as the sub-branching to further help topics follow the click on the button.
Watch and listen instead of despairing over technical terms
Sophisticated help systems show more complex relationships in a specific example video. Video tutorials, how to build a page with the homepage construction kit, demonstrably facilitate the background understanding as well as the handling of each function.
In addition to the operation and the functions of the modular system, the help system should convey basic knowledge from the Telemedia Act.
Exemplary examples:
- Structure of an imprint
- AGB guidelines for shop systems
- Prices, shipping, etc.
- Legal aspects of the use of third-party images
Homepage construction kit - Conclusion
With the homepage construction kit, administrators receive an important tool to quickly and efficiently create, customize and update websites. Nevertheless, the functions of the construction kit are only a partial aspect of a good hosting offer.
The traditional homepage construction kit has competition from the spread of modern modular content managers, (for example WordPress) and the simplification preserved by HTML5.
