Section 13.1• Add a hit counter to a Web page• Identify the limitations of hit counters• Describe the information gathered by tracking systems• Create a guest book

Section 13.2• Identify Web site search features• Add bookmarks to a Web page• Create a Web search form

Section 13.3• Describe database functions• Confirm a database connection• Identify database interface pages

Section 13.4• Explain how frames work• Identify guidelines for frames pages• Create a frames-based page• Use frames on a site• Publish a Web site locally

13.1 Tracking Visitors to a SiteGuide to Reading

Main Ideas

Hit counters and tracking software track the number of visitors to a Web site. Guest books allow visitors to make comments on the site in a public forum.

Key Terms

hit counterhitstracking softwareguest book

pp. 342-345

13.1 Tracking Visitors to a SiteHit Counters

E-commerce sites often include hit countershit counters to help track Web traffic. But this only tracks that the user came to the page.

Other tracking softwaretracking software can record other information about users.

hits The number of times a browser requests a page from a Web server. (p. 342)

hit counter A dynamic Web component that records the number of times visitors access a Web page. (p. 342)

tracking software Records information about Web site visitors such as what browser they used, how they navigated to the site, and what country they are from. (p. 344)

pp. 342-345

pp. 342-345Tracking Visitors to a Site

Inserting a hit counter in FrontPage will allow you to display the number of times the Web page has been visited.

Hit Counters 13.1

13.1 Tracking Visitors to a SiteGuest Books

A guest bookguest book gives visitors a place to record their experiences with a Web site.

You can add form fields to a guest book to allow visitors to enter their names or other information.

guest book A public record of comments from visitors to a Web site. (p. 344)

pp. 342-345

pp. 342-345Tracking Visitors to a Site

• Activity 13A – Adding a Hit Counter (p. 342)• Activity 13B – Creating a Guest Book (p. 344)

13.1

13.2 Making Information Easy to FindGuide to Reading

Main Ideas

Web developers uses tools such as site maps, tables of contents, and bookmarks to help visitors locate information on the site. Site search components enable visitors to find specific words or phrases on the site.

Key Terms

site maptable of contentsfrequently asked  questions (FAQ)bookmarksearch capabilities

pp. 347-350

13.2 Making Information Easy to FindSite Maps and Tables of Contents

As Web sites become larger and more complex, information can be difficult to find.

Two of the best features to make the information easier to find are:

• Site mapsSite maps• Table of contentsTable of contents

site map A list of categories that organizes the content of large Web sites. (p. 347)

table of contents A Web site element that allows visitors to see the contents and organization of the site in one glance; similar to the table of contents of a book. (p. 347)

pp. 347-350

13.2 Making Information Easy to FindFrequently Asked Questions Pages

Frequently asked Frequently asked questionsquestions pages are great places to give information to visitors without them having to contact the Webmaster.

Many FAQ pages include bookmarksbookmarks to take visitors immediately to the information they are looking for.

pp. 347-350

frequently asked questions (FAQ) A list of questions and answers to questions that visitors are likely to have about the Web site, the business, or a company’s products. (p. 348)

bookmark A hyperlink to a specific document or another place in the same document; often used as intrapage links on long pages. (p. 348)

pp. 347-350Making Information Easy to Find

Here is an example of a FAQ page. Each question in the list will link to a bookmark.

Frequently Asked Questions Pages 13.2

13.2 Making Information Easy to FindSearch Capabilities

Site maps, tables of contents, and bookmarks are tools Web developers use to make information easier to find.

They can also include search capabilitiessearch capabilities to the site to allow users to look for specific information.

search capabilities A Web site feature that allows visitors to find specific words or phrases in the site’s content. (p. 349)

pp. 347-350

pp. 347-350Making Information Easy to Find

• Activity 13C – Adding Bookmarks (p. 348)• Activity 13D – Creating a Web Search Form (p. 350)

13.2

13.3Collecting and Storing Information

from VisitorsGuide to Reading

Main Ideas

Databases organize information by fields and records. Dynamic Web pages use database information. Database interface pages display database information so that it looks consistent with the Web site’s design.

Key Terms

databaserecorddatabase drivendatabase interface page

pp. 351-354

13.3Collecting and Storing Information

from VisitorsConnecting Web Sites and Databases

After visitors give their information, Web site owners must have a way to collect, organize, and store this information.

Many companies use databasesdatabases to maintain the recordsrecords given by users.

database A collection of information that is organized by fields and records for easy retrieval. (p. 351)

record A group of related fields in a database that contain all the information gathered about a particular person or product. (p. 351)

pp. 351-354

13.3Collecting and Storing Information

from VisitorsConnecting Web Sites and Databases

Web site developers use static and dynamic pages to distinguish between pages with fixed information and those able to change.

When dynamic pages pull information from a database, they are said to be database drivendatabase driven.

database driven Dynamic page that uses a database for its source of information. (p. 351)

pp. 351-354

13.3Collecting and Storing Information

from VisitorsInteracting with a Database

The database must be published to the Web site to allow visitors to access the information.

Web sites must have a database interface pagedatabase interface page to allow users to interact with the database through the browser.

database interface page A Web page that connects to and interacts with a database. (p. 352)

pp. 351-354

pp. 351-354Collecting and Storing Informationfrom Visitors

A results page is a good page to add to extract information from the database by the database owner.

Restricting access to the results page helps to keep personal customer information private.

13.3

Interacting with a Database

pp. 351-354Collecting and Storing Informationfrom Visitors

• Activity 13E – Confirming a Database Connection (p. 353)

13.3

13.4 FramesGuide to Reading

Main Ideas

Frames allow designers to control how individual areas of the screen display and scroll. FrontPage includes templates that make it relatively easy to create frames sites.

Key Terms

frameframesetSet Initial Page buttonNew Page buttonlocal Web siteremote Web site

pp. 356-362

13.4 FramesHow Frames Work

FramesFrames are designed to make navigation easier by keeping part of the site constant.

To create a frames page, first create a single shell page called a framesetframeset.

frame A separate region on a Web page that contains its own Web document. (p. 356)

frameset A shell page in a frames-based site that contains information about the size and placement of the frames within the site. (p. 356)

pp. 356-362

pp. 356-362Frames

Frames pages can cause problems for some viewers. Follow these guidelines to make your frames pages more user-friendly:

• Consider the number, placement, and size of the frames.• Consider your target audience, as many older browsers do not support frames.

Guidelines for Frames Pages13.4

13.4 FramesFrames Pages and FrontPage

It is very easy to create frames pages in FrontPage using one of the templates supplied.

pp. 356-362

13.4 FramesFrames Pages and FrontPage

You can add content to a frame in two ways:

• Selecting the Set Initial Set Initial PagePage buttonbutton allows you to link existing content to a frame. • Selecting the New Page New Page buttonbutton allows you to create new content in the frame.

Set Initial Page button FrontPage tool that allows you to link existing content to a frame in a frames-based site. (p. 358)

New Page button FrontPage tool that allows you to create new content in a frame. (p. 358)

pp. 356-362

13.4 FramesPublishing a Web Site Locally

It is possible to publish a Web site locally. Doing this transfers the site’s files from where you created them (local Web sitelocal Web site) to another location on your computer or network (remote Web siteremote Web site).

This option allows you to test the publishing process, even if you do not have a Web host for the site.

local Web site A Web site that resides on the hard drive or network drive where the site’s files were originally created. (p. 361)

remote Web site A Web site that exists on a hard drive or network drive that is different from the location where the Web site was created. Transferring files from a local to a remote Web site allows you to test the publishing process. (p. 361)

pp. 356-362

pp. 356-362Frames

When publishing, you transfer files from your local computer to a another (remote) location.

Publishing a Web Site Locally13.4

pp. 356-362Frames

• Activity 13F – Using Frames on a Site (p. 358)• Activity 13G – Publishing a Web Site Locally (p. 361)

13.4

Chapter 13

For more resources on this chapter, go to the Introduction to Web Design Web site at webdesign.glencoe.com.

Resources