Website design for Heritage Railways

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Website design for Heritage Railways

• Or making the web work!

ATRQ Feb 2004
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Why have a web site?

• Promotes 24 hours every day worldwide
• Reduces administrative load of staff
• Very low cost form of advertising
• Part of the new communication media
• Saves money!

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What should be on a web site?

• KISS keep it simple stupid
• Home page Clear Clean Concise Crisp
• Avoid fancy flash type introduction pages
• Avoid complex menu systems
• Use basic html with some use of JavaScript
• Avoid large image files on home (entry) page
  use photo galleries

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Basics

• Must know some fundamental HTML
• Many freeware programs are available to code
  pages
• Need somewhere to host your site
• Best to use a dedicated web host provider rather
  than free hosting services
• Need to know about FTP to transfer files from
  your home computer to the server

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Frills?

• Use PDF files for large documents eg timetable
  brochures
• Online ticket purchasing
• Use mail lists to promote your railway
• Join webrings
• Downloadable sound files
• Picture galleries

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Cost?

• Very little if a keen enthusiast looks after your
  web site
• KangaWeb top class 16.45 per month full
  ecommerce
• Cheaper options available
• Domain name - usually free first two years then
  nominal charge
• Dont use ISP bundled webspace as people change
  ISP and makes it necessary to move site

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Some example CCCC sites

• MRQ www.ozbob.net/mrq/
• The Workshops Railway Museum http//www.theworksho
  ps.qm.qld.gov.au/
• Beaudesert Rail http//www.beaudesertrail.com.au/
• Daylesford Spa Country Railway http//www.chtr.org
  .au/

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Email me at ozbob_at_ozbob.net
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