Getting Started

One of the following is true for your unit (Flotilla or Division):

• The unit doesn't have a website and it decides that it needs one.
• The unit has a website based on the classic platform that it isn't being kept current and your unit decides it needs to have an up-to-date website.

If your unit already has a website based on the classic platform that is up-to-date, you need do nothing; however, you may want to consider converting your unit's website to the WOW Platform allowing you to keep your website current by focusing on page content (using a powerful, built-in editor) while leaving the technical details of managing the website and the menu system to the WOW system. Another compelling reason to convert is that your successor may not be HTML literate, and your website might simply die after you move on to other interests.

See either the FSO-CS Job Description or the SO-CS Job Description (whichever applies) for details about the CS officer position. New CS officers might also find the guidance on the National New CS Staff Page valuable to review as well.

The unit's CS officer has two choices when building a new or overhauling an out-of-date unit website:

• Create a website based on the Classic Platform. This approach offers the highest level of creativity, control, and flexibility to the CS officer but also requires the highest degree of skill. This type of website must be hosted by doing one of the following:
  • Using the Auxiliary web server (see AIRS Hosting for more information about this option).
  • Purchasing space on a third party web server.
• Ceate a "pushbutton" site using the WOW Platform. The WOW Platform allows units – even those without CS officers – to quickly and easily create and maintain a basic website.

If your unit has a website based on the Classic Platform that it isn't being kept current, it is probably because you have nobody with the skills necessary to properly maintain it. In this case, you will most likely want to migrate your unit's website to the WOW Platform permitting you to maintain a modern, attractive website with absolutely no programming required. Maintaining a website on the WOW Platform is no more difficult than ordering a book online, and requires nothing more than your favorite web browser.

If you are not sure which platform to use for your unit's website, you might find it helpful to review the Platform Comparison List.

Build the website by following the steps outllined in either the Classic Platform page or the WOW Platform page.

Content should be behind a password (i.e., inaccessable to the public) until the site has been approved by the unit's board (next step).

The website, whether based on the Classic Platform or the WOW Platform, must meet all of the website requirements in order to be approved. The requirements are detailed in the Classic Platform Checklist and the WOW Platform Checklist. View the Website Approval page for instructions.