Microsoft's Explorer browser 4.0 can take over the Windows 95 desktop with full integration of HTML into Office 97 and Microsoft Publisher . The advantages over traditional text documents include multimedia formats, hypertext links, document and site are fully searchable, indexing, instant revisions, and worldwide accessibility. In our opinion, there is little justification for not creating documents meant to be shared with others in HTML from the start. The state of New York released a study in 1997, concluding that the World Wide Web could be used as a universal interface to government services , with HTML documents and Web forms used by state employees and the public alike. While this may work out fine, often the result is a site that is difficult to navigate, illogical, and largely useless.
Advanced planning can make a world of difference.
A good way to get ideas is to take a look at both good and bad examples of web design. At the very least, by reviewing bad design ideas we know what to avoid. For positive suggestions, the Yale style manual is excellent. Marianne Zawitz details a number of issues to be considered before you start creating any Web documents, including site organization . John December details web site development as a six step process.