The wonderful thing about web sites is that they can change from day to day. If there is one guarantee it is that sites grow in complexity over time. Starting out with a simple structure and only a few menu choices on the initial page will help both you and your students deal with this new medium of communication. An example of this philosophy is the Effective Design web site at the University of Idaho. It is sometimes difficult to figure out why something looks good.
Most people just know what they like.
These texts stress clean and simple designs, which will be greatly appreciated by visitors to your web site. Out Planning is essential. Some of the same questions apply for creating an instructional web site. Determining which students will use the site and how they will connect to it will help ensure the creation of a useful resource and valuable addition to a current class. Moving a syllabus and class notes to a web site is helpful, but only a first step toward creating a dynamic resource that will assist students in grasping materials presented in class.