Site Wide simply refers to something that is to be done, or effects, the entire site you are discussing.
Generally it will be in reference to a design change, or addition. For example, adding a disclaimer ’site wide’ refers to putting a disclaimer on every page, in your site.
The easiest method to make layout changes, is through the use of CSS ( Cascading Style Sheets ). It allows you to change design elements, on one single page, that will impact all pages, that use that particular CSS page.
TIP : You may want to break down your CSS into more than one single page. You may wish to have one page, that will hold elements that are going to be standard, across your site, while having other css pages, for topic specific sections of your site.
This method will allow you to make site wide changes to the basic layout, or to make section specific changes, without impacting other areas of your site.
Some of the changes that would be ’site wide’ are background color or image. You may even want to change the number of columns, or adjust their width, or how they look. Hell, you may even want to change the font color, size, etc.
Another handy trick, is to use a Server Side Include for your navigation section, your header, and your footer.
HINT : Using a server side include for your header section, footer section, and navigation section, is the same concept as using CSS. It allows you to make wholesale changes, that will effect all pages using that feature.
Web design is not just a matter of throwing some colors on a page, setting a font size, and figuring you have a site design. You need to carefully consider each element, and have the necessary elements in place, to make your work less complicated.
Use of CSS ( cascading style sheets ) & SSI ( server side includes ) are methods, that if you take the time to plan out now, before the site is a thousand pages long, will make changing things a whole lot easier. It will also improve your ability to add things.
Apr 12th by Malcontent