website help?

Question

I'm creating a website, and the pages have the same general layout (menubars, header etc.). How can I modify all the pages at once without going through them all individually.

thanks for the replies so far, I've just been using notepad up until now.

Answer 1

The simple answer would be to use Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). This will change the style of what you already have, but will not change the actual code or content of the pages.

However, let's say you just want to change your copyright notice in your footer from 2006 to 2007. Oh lord what a task this is if you have hundreds of HTML pages. Instead, I would recommend using a server side language like PHP. This would allow you to create a separate file for your footer page (ex: footer.php), include it on your other pages and just make the change to your copyright notice in that one file.

Voila! It's changed on every page on your site and you saved yourself 6 hours of work. It sounds like this is exactly what you need to be doing.

Answer 2

If you use a program like Web Expressions (formerly Microsoft Frontpage) or Dreamweaver, you can create a navigation bar that attaches to each page you create. So you could ideally start the project by creating the navigation bar. Web Expressions calls it a Dynamic Web Template under the Format. There is a free 30 times trial from Microsoft at
http://www.microsoft.com/products/expression/en/expression-web/free-trial.mspx

Answer 3

I use WeBuilder 2006, an inexpensive but very good website editor. I've rewritten several (mine and several clients') websites several times, making similar changes to pages throughout the sites. As you do, I keep the pages in the sites looking purdy consistent in "look and feel" so I often have to make the same change throughout. WeBuilder makes it quite easy. To look into it go to www.blumentals.net

Answer 4

I'd suggest using CSS for your website. It'll allow you to modify one document, the stylesheet, and have the entire website reflect the changes.

Answer 5

it depends what program you are using to create the webpages. If you're using Dreamweaver I think the cascading style sheets will help you create one template so that you can use it on all pages. Look for the Help menu in Dreamweaver if this is the program you are using.

Answer 6

get a book and learn how to use frames - this way all the pages look the same - but only the center text changes with each page

Answer 7

CSS I believe is the most professional option.

Answer 8

You would need to do with "includes: or "Iframes" do some searches on those terms

Iframes are easier