Unless your web site has only one page, with no graphics, you’ll have internal links. That’s links to other parts of your site, or to pictures that you’ve included on your page.
To avoid basic errors such as linking to pictures or pages that are in another subdirectory, I find it best to set up a complete mirror of my web site on my PC.
For example, on a large site I may plan to have each one of my web pages in a subdirectory, images for each page in an images directory within each subdirectory, and a *common images* subdirectory.
So that’s what I set up on my hard drive. I create a directory, giving it the name of my site. That represents the root directory on the web server.
Then I create my *common images* directory – this will hold images that are used by every page, for example banners, site logos, navigation buttons. Doing this saves space on your server, and makes your pages load more quickly.
Finally I create the subdirectories for each page, and the image directories inside each subdirectory.
Now, when I start creating my pages and graphics, I save them in the correct directory. I can check the site in my browser, and any missing pictures or broken page links will show up straight away.
Once my site is up and running, I make sure I keep my mirror image of it up to date, then I don’t get any nasty surprises when I upload changes.
I can also view my site without having to go on-line if necessary.
Happy site building!
Dianne Reuby is co-author of the e-book “First Website Builder”.
Dianne created and runs the First Web Builder site, dedicated to providing ebooks and tips for new webmasters. Visit FWB at http://firstwebbuilder.co.uk/
