Unit 15 Website Management

·   Aim

To enable learners to understand the concepts and knowledge required to effectively manage and maintain websites.

·   Unit abstract

The work of the IT practitioner does not stop with the official handover of a website to a client. If it is to be successful, an organisation’s website needs to be managed and kept up to date.

Learners will understand what is involved in managing and monitoring the performance of a website once it has been published on the web and is accessible to a wide audience. They will investigate different types of web hosts and the services they offer by weighing up the benefits and drawbacks.

Learners will upload website files to a web server, as well as manage a range of web server management services. Once the website is published, learners will carry out and document routine maintenance activities and website reviews. They will monitor and assess site performance using statistics and visitor feedback.

There is no point in having a website if no one can find it. Most people use search engines as one method of finding information they need on the web. Learners will explore the different methods and techniques used to promote websites. They will also discover what features will enhance a website so that they retain visitors as well as create opportunities to welcome new visitors.

·   Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

1. Understand the functions of website hosting
2. Be able to manage websites
3. Be able to improve website performance
4. Be able to promote websites.

Unit content

1         Understand the functions of website hosting

Hosting: methods eg website hosting, shared hosting, dedicated hosting, server co-location; hosting packages and services; domain names; costs; network uptime

Functions: services eg web management, email management, domain management, ftp management, file management, shopping cart, client support; performance eg reliability, availability, network uptime, access speeds, bandwidth; back-up; log analysis tools; security features

Platforms: operating systems eg Unix, Linux, Microsoft

Scripting technologies: server-side eg Hypertext Pre-Processor (PHP), Active Server Pages (ASP), ASP.NET, My-SQL (Structured Query Language) Common Gateway Interface (CGI)/ (Perl)

Legislation: accessibility, data protection, distance selling, privacy and electronic communications

2         Be able to manage websites

Website: structure eg files, folders, hypertext links; multimedia; web blogs; really simple syndication (RSS) feeds; pod casts; platform compatibility eg operating system, browser software, plug-ins; testing eg website files, links, browser, performance

Upload: methods eg internet, intranet, web server, File Transfer Protocol (FTP); file transfer protocol eg stand-alone FTP software, web-based FTP facilities, browser FTP capabilities; web authoring software; web server management; upload/download files (web pages, images, documents, multimedia content); directory structures; file and folder permissions eg read, write, execute; file security eg password protection; login, eg username, password; account control

Maintenance: content management, site integrity, troubleshooting eg broken hypertext links; monitor performance; implement upgrades; back-up

3         Be able to improve website performance

Performance: site structure; size and type of multimedia components; add-on components; bandwidth speed; network infrastructure; browser; computer hardware; computer software Popularity: statistical data eg hit counter by day, month, year; traffic monitoring; visitor information eg visitor type, visit length; visitor feedback; website recognition eg awards, sponsorships; website accessibility; website promotion

Tools: hit counters, guest books/forums, statistics, feedback/comments forms

4         Be able to promote websites

Marketing: advertising eg search engines, social networking, banner, pay-per-click; exchange website links; cross-marketing techniques eg letterheads, brochures, magazine, company vehicles, television, radio

Visitors: visitor incentives eg promotional/voucher codes, discounts; data security eg website certificates, secure socket layer (SSL), encryption; presentation eg multimedia, flash content, audio and visual components, human computer interaction (HCI); visitor feedback eg check boxes, radio buttons, drop-down menus, text fields, form to email, form to database

Alternative methods: off-the-shelf software, data entry forms, response facility, forums, free user groups

Optimisations: insert components eg title, description, keyword tags; client/server side script components eg dynamic hypertext mark-up language (DHTML), extensible hypertext mark- up language (XHTML), JavaScript, Perl, Hypertext Pre-Processor (PHP), Active Server Pages (ASP), ASP.NET, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS); enhancements eg rollover image maps, audio/visual, drop-down menus, colours, multimedia

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

Learning outcomes   On successful completion of this unit a learner will:	Assessment criteria for pass   The learner can:
LO1 Understand the functions of website hosting	explain the methods and techniques required to host a websiteevaluate the different services offered by web host providersexplain the legal requirements of hosting an online website.
LO2 Be able to manage websites	demonstrate the upload of a website to a web serverperform website maintenance to sustain maximum efficiency and performance
LO3 Be able to improve website performance	discuss how to monitor the performance of a websiteanalyse statistics relating to visitors accessing a website 3.2 explain the methods and techniques used to gather visitor feedback for a website
LO4 Be able to promote websites	explain the methods and techniques required to promote a websiteevaluate the different features that are available to enhance and upgrade a website.

Guidance

Links to National Occupational Standards, other BTEC units, other BTEC qualifications and other relevant units and qualifications

The learning outcomes associated with this unit are closely linked with:

Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Unit 20: Client-side Customisation of Web Pages	Unit 14: Website Design	Unit 35: Web Applications Development
Unit 27: Web Server Scripting		Unit 14 Website design
Unit 28: Website Production		Unit 15 Website management

This unit has links to the Level 4 and Level 5 National Occupational Standards for IT and Telecoms Professionals, particularly the areas of competence of:

• IT/Technology Infrastructure Design and Planning
• Software Development
• IT/Technology Service Operations and Event Management
• IT/Technology Management and Support.

Essential requirements

Learners must have access to appropriate web-hosting software. They must also have access to software that enables them to upload a website.

This unit will provide learners with the opportunity to upload and manage a website, either by developing their own website, or using a website developed in other units.

Learners must be able to publish their website using a web-hosting service or local intranet system controlled by the centre.

Learners must begin this unit by exploring the vast array of website hosting packages, and the range of services they provide. It will be useful to compare these services with other web hosting packages, particularly in terms of cost, performance, reliability, and other critical factors.

Learners must be aware of the legal requirements for hosting a website, where content is accessible to everyone.

A web server can be a complicated system to use. Centres must demonstrate the full functions of using a web host/server, including uploading/downloading files, setting appropriate folder/file permissions (access privileges) as well as other features. Learners must analyse statistics on their website.

Learners must be encouraged to explore a range of methods and techniques, which will help promote websites. There is a vast array of online services, which are designed to help promote and advertise websites.