Getting Started - IODE Canada Hosted WebsitesIn general, to create a website for your IODE Chapter, you need these basic elements
1. Registered Domain Name 2. Website Development Tool that you can manage for yourself - or, a web developer to do this work for you 3. A Project Plan - Decide who you want to communicate with through your website and what it is you want to say to them. 4. An Internet Service Provider - ISP / Hosting Service IODE Canada has developed the IODE Website Hosting templates to manage all of these requirements: Domain Names * There are three option for domain names: 1. Use a sub-domain of Weebly.com (No cost option) 2. Register a new domain name (Costs ~ $75 for 2 years) 3. Use a domain name you already own * If you choose to use a sub-domain name within Weebly, there is no cost to register your domain name However, the name Weebly will always appear as part of your web address. For example: www.IODEmychapter.weebly.com * If you prefer not to have the name Weebly included in your domain name, IODE Canada will register a new domain name for your chapter and manage your domain registrations annually. * For consistency, we request that all IODE chapter websites be formatted as follow: www.IODE Name Chapter.com For example: www.IODEmanitouchapter.com , www.IODEmargaretstokeschapter.com Development Software * IODE Canada has developed website templates using the WeeblyPro edition of the Weebly.com development software. This provides our member chapters with premium design features not included in their basic templates. * IODE Canada templates are already set up with the essential website pages and content. * Links to related IODE websites and IODE content are pre-established to ensure your members are up to date on activities within our organization. * The website editing software is very user friendly to manage with a moderate level of computer expertise. * IODE Canada is able to provide online support for managing your website on a common platform. Costs Associated with Your IODE Hosted Websites * The cost to IODE chapters is the current rate for the domain name of your choice. (either the no cost option or ~ $75 for 2 years) * IODE Canada has absorbed the cost of the WeeblyPro software with premium features not available on the Weebly basic templates. * If you have chosen to register a new domain name for your IODE website, IODE will bill your chapter for these costs. Benefits of Participation * IODE Canada templates provide the essentials for your IODE Chapter to have a professional website very quickly. * IODE Canada will manage the hosting services for your new website and monitor your contact information to stay current. * The costs normally associated with developing and managing your IODE website are minimized. * IODE Canada will be conducting training workshops on request at IODE Area Conferences and the National Annual Meeeting. * IODE Chapters will be able to share the best ideas for websites within our organization. Before You Start Writing Know Your Target Audience You will have multiple groups of people looking at your website for different reasons. Be sure you have presented the information they will be looking for in an organized way that is easy to find on your site. Typically, your site should have information for these groups: * Current IODE Members - Meeting dates and places, newsletters, key contacts * Prospective IODE Members - Information about IODE, your Chapter, Provincial IODE, and National IODE to give them an appreciation for the organization they would become a part of as a member. * Past Members - Keep in touch with past members of your chapter. They may be excited by what you are doing, decide to return and join you again. * Your Community - People will be interested in knowing more about your chapter and IODE as an organization when they see the work you are doing in your community or have sponsored one of your activities. Publish press releases, thank you notices to your sponsors, and any publicity you have received for your chapter. * IODE Members in Other Chapters, Provincial, and National - We are certainly interested in knowing what our colleagues are doing in their chapters. We want to cheer you on and be inspired to find great projects in our own communities. Map out on paper how this information could be presented. Create a chart that non-web savvy people can understand. Everyone will be more interested to visit your website if they understand the value of the information you will be presenting. Look at other websites you think are appealing. Decide what features make that website interesting for you. Can this feature be used on your own website? Popular features might include the use of photos, YouTube videos, a regular newsletter or blog, a calendar of coming events, etc. * IODE Canada * IODE Ontario * Other Chapters * Starbucks, Apple, Banana Republic, Rotary International, etc. * Any website you think is done well... but, remember, you have to share the good ideas you find! Photos, Videos, and Copyrighted Materials It is your responsibility to be aware of copyright laws at all times. There are heavy penalties for mis-use of material that is not your own and, importantly, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. There are stock photography websites where you can purchase royalty-free images. However, more often, you will probably be posting photos taken by IODE members of your local activities. Your should have permission to publish photos of people. This could be a part of the annual renewal documents for membership. Learning the WeeblyPro Tools & Software Start by taking a tour of this Demo IODE Chapter website. It has been designed with sample page layouts and spaces to post your content already organized. You will certainly have our own ideas on how to present your IODE chapter and activities that can be effectively communicated using the powerful WeeklyPro tools and techniques. Click on the "Help" button at the upper right corner of the screen for the complete index of easy to follow tutorials. IODE Canada will support you as the Editor of your new website. By using this common platform, IODE Canada is able to log in to your website and assist you with layouts and editing if necessary. It is possible to have multiple Editors approved for your website, with approved access to all pages on the site or select pages only. Editors will be given access to your new website via IODE Canada as approved by your Chapter. Getting Started information pages are published on the Demo site under the "more" menu tab. Please take time to review them entirely. We have also created a page for FAQ's (frequently asked questions), and a blog with Website Editor Tutorials where we can respond to new ideas and communication strategies to promote IODE and your chapter. These pages can remain on the website for reference purposes for future Editors in your chapter but removed from the navigation menus before publishing your new website. Links to contact IODE Canada for support are conveniently embedded in the pages as well. Agreement to Participate The objectives of the IODE Canada Hosted Website Program are to provide a user friendly web development platform for our member chapters while promoting a consistent brand image for IODE Canada and sharing of approved content throughout the IODE organization. Enhancing the presence of IODE Canada online is the way to Make Connections with current and prospective members and promote our good work, ultimately encouraging new membership in our organization. Please review the Agreement to Participate page and acknowledge your acceptance by return email to get started and create your new IODE Hosted website. Creating Your Own Website & Hosting the Published Site If you choose not to participate in the IODE Canada Hosted Website program, there are other options. However, IODE Canada requires all members to adhere to certain minimum guidelines for use of the IODE brand and content on all IODE affiliated websites. We have offered two alternatives for website development tools that are fairly straight forward to learn and use without charge. These sites offer you a basic website development tool in the hopes that you will be encouraged to go to the next level and use their fee based services that are optional to a basic web site. Two popular website development tools for you to consider: www.weebly.com www.wordpress.com Both of these services offer ways to register your domain name, which is your official website name, and host your finished website. Investigate what hosting capabilities you have now with your personal internet services that could be shared with your chapter for no additional cost to you or the chapter. In the long run, you will be better off if you are able to manage and update the content on your website yourself. It's faster, less expensive, and it's actually fun to do when you learn the website publishing tool that you decide to use. Be creative - you'll feel like Lois Lane - a real newspaper editor sharing stories and information with people who want to read what you have to say! |