3.2 · Web Publishing
Goal: describe the ways to publish web content and what audience considerations matter.
Publishing options
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Self-host on a web server (Apache, Nginx) | Complete control | Need IT skills + server costs |
| Web-based CMS (WordPress, Drupal) | Content-heavy sites | Lots of plugins; some setup |
| Static-site host (GitHub Pages, Netlify) | Tech-savvy users, low traffic | Build process to learn |
| Wix / Squarespace / Weebly | Beginners | Limited customisation |
| Blogger / Medium | Personal blogs | Less control over branding |
Domain names
You typically buy a domain name (e.g. myschool.edu.hk) from a registrar (HKDNR for .hk) and point its DNS A/AAAA records to your hosting server's IP.
Designing for the intended audience
The C&A Guide says you must discuss the organisation of web pages for an intended audience. Key considerations:
- Navigation — clear menus, breadcrumbs, search.
- Reading order — important info above the fold.
- Multimedia placement — supports the message, not distracting.
- Colour scheme — readability + accessibility (contrast).
- Font size and style — large for elderly, playful for kids, neutral for corporate.
- Mobile-friendly — responsive layout for phones and tablets.
- Accessibility — alt text, ARIA labels, keyboard navigation.
Comparing audience-appropriate sites
| Audience | Design notes |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Big buttons, friendly colours, large fonts, illustrations |
| Senior secondary students | Clean layout, embedded videos, search and download buttons |
| Government services | Formal, multilingual, accessible (WCAG compliant), bilingual (Eng/Chinese) |
| E-commerce | Eye-catching product photos, clear CTAs, trust badges |
Step-by-step example · Publish a school news page
- Buy a domain
mynewsite.comfrom a registrar. - Choose a hosting plan (shared, VPS, cloud).
- Upload HTML/CSS/JS via FTP or git deploy.
- Configure DNS A record to point to the host's IP.
- Enable HTTPS via Let's Encrypt (often automatic on modern hosts).
- Submit the URL to search engines (Google Search Console).
Exam-style question
Q (4 marks): A primary school wants to publish a website for parents and children. Describe two organisational considerations the designers should keep in mind, and recommend a suitable publishing option.
Sample answer:
- Audience-friendly design: large fonts, generous spacing, bright but readable colours appropriate for children and easily skimmable by busy parents.
- Clear navigation and bilingual support: simple menus translated into both Chinese and English to serve Hong Kong parents; clearly separate sections for parents (notices, calendars) and children (homework, fun activities).
Publishing option: a web-based CMS such as WordPress hosted by a local provider, or alternatively a managed service like Squarespace — both allow non-technical staff to update content easily and provide responsive themes for mobile devices.
Key takeaways
- Multiple ways to publish: from full-stack hosting to drag-and-drop builders.
- Design must match the intended audience.
Chapter 3 wrap-up
You now know enough HTML to read a sample page and discuss its organisation. The deeper skills — CSS, JavaScript, PHP — are covered in Elective 2B.
➡️ Next chapter: 4 · Threats & Security