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A newly formed educational charity wants to create a website, and they have invited you in as a consultant because they don’t have a web developer and would like your advice on what sort of website will work best for their business. This charity could promote literacy in your area, or it could advocate for the promotion of music in education. You could also consider charities that educate the public about a particular interest of yours. You choose! Identify different types of websites that would be useful for the charity and briefly explain why each is appropriate for this type of business and how each could be used effectively. Think about which coding languages or scripting languages would be necessary or best-suited for their purposes. Depending on what type of website you suggest, you will need to explain different programming languages and their purposes. For example, since you’re creating a website for a charity, you will need to take fundraising into account, right? What else should you consider? For this activity, you should demonstrate your understanding of the basics of web development. In doing so, identify and describe at least three different types of website and explain how and why each is suited for this charity. Also include your rationale for choosing at least four coding or scripting languages that could be used to build the websites and explain why these languages are suitable.

1 answer

Proposed Charity Focus: Promoting Literacy in the Community

For this educational charity focused on promoting literacy, I recommend the following three types of websites:

  1. Informational Website

    • Description: This website would provide essential information about the charity's mission, literacy programs, events, and resources.
    • Suitability: An informational site serves as the foundation of the charity’s online presence, allowing visitors to understand its goals and access pertinent resources.
    • Effective Use: The website should include sections such as "About Us," "Programs," "Get Involved," "Resources," and "Contact Us." A blog could also be incorporated to share literacy tips, success stories, and news updates. Basic SEO techniques should be employed to increase visibility in search engines.
    • Languages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are adequate for creating this type of site. HTML structures the content, CSS styles it for appearance, and JavaScript provides interactive elements (like contact forms).

  2. Fundraising Website

    • Description: A site focused on collecting donations and promoting fundraising events.
    • Suitability: Fundraising is crucial for a charity, and a dedicated fundraising page can greatly enhance the charity’s revenue generation capabilities.
    • Effective Use: This site can feature donation options (one-time, monthly), event tickets for literacy workshops, and campaigns. It should also have visually appealing call-to-action buttons and a secure payment gateway for donations.
    • Languages: HTML and CSS are needed for the design, while JavaScript can enhance user experience during the donation process (e.g., form validations). Additionally, PHP or Python can be used for server-side logic to handle donations securely.

  3. Community Engagement Website

    • Description: This site will foster community interaction through forums, discussion boards, or social media integration.
    • Suitability: Encouraging community participation can lead to volunteer opportunities, partnerships, and shared resources, which are essential for grassroots literacy initiatives.
    • Effective Use: Features could include user registration, discussion forums about literacy topics, event calendars, and volunteer sign-up sheets. Features that allow users to share their stories or experiences can deepen engagement.
    • Languages: HTML/CSS for the frontend, JavaScript/Ajax for dynamic content updates, and PHP/Python or Node.js for backend functionalities to manage user accounts and forum posts.

Rationale for Programming Languages

  1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language):

    • Purpose: It is the standard markup language for creating web pages.
    • Suitability: Essential for structuring the content on any website, regardless of its complexity.

  2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets):

    • Purpose: Used for styling HTML content, allowing the designer to control the layout, colors, fonts, and overall visual presentation.
    • Suitability: Vital for creating an attractive and user-friendly website, which is crucial for attracting and retaining visitors.

  3. JavaScript:

    • Purpose: A scripting language used to create dynamic content and enhance user interactivity on websites.
    • Suitability: Allows the addition of features such as responsive forms, animations, and real-time updates, improving user experience and engagement.

  4. PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) or Python:

    • Purpose: Server-side scripting languages used to manage dynamic content, secure data, and interact with databases.
    • Suitability: These languages are ideal for handling user submissions, donations, and any custom backend functionalities that are essential for building a robust and secure fundraising platform.

Additional Considerations

  • Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the website is accessible on mobile devices.
  • SEO: Implement SEO best practices to increase visibility.
  • User Experience: Focus on intuitive navigation and user interface design.
  • Analytics: Integrate tools (like Google Analytics) to track visitor activity and engagement patterns.
  • Security: Use secure protocols for payment processing and user data protection.

By building a comprehensive online presence through these three types of websites, the charity can effectively promote literacy in the community, foster engagement, and secure fundraising to support its efforts.