The Planning

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The first step was to get with the client (phone and e-mail) and determine what his vision for the site was and what kind of services he wanted to provide. One of the first things that needed to be defined was the purpose of the site and what the client wanted to accomplish. The main purpose is to educate the public about the preservation of migratory species, sensitive breeding habitats, and endangered ecosystems. Habitat Alert provides a way to educate the public including children. It also accepts donations and sells a few items to raise money.

The author team then began to collaborate. After the authors had a feel for what was needed, they kicked around ideas about how to give the client what he needed and made other suggestions. In the end, the main site features included the following components:

• A mission statement.

• An information area to inform users about the current and past fight to save the herons.

• A children's section to inform, entertain, and teach children how to participate in the endeavor. Some of the features included a quiz to test their knowledge, puzzles of the herons, and information about how to petition and participate in the cause.

• An online petition that can be signed.

• E-cards that visitors can send to friends as an awareness feature.

• Shopping carts to sell small items to raise funds.

• A section for accepting donations.

You will develop many of these sections throughout this book. There are some areas such as a shopping cart that go beyond the focus of this book. But check the links page on the CD for recommendations.

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