25 July 2008Finding your way around the website
From the home page
This is the starting point of any website and a good place to begin browsing the site for information. The web address (called URL) of Sevenoaks District Council is www.sevenoaks.gov.uk and when you visit this web address, it is the homepage that will display on your screen.
The home page has colour coded links to all 12 sections of the website (Business, Community & Living, and so on). Displayed beneath each of these 12 sections, are three links, that allow you to navigate quickly to the most popular areas of that section.
On the right hand side of the homepage are more quick links to other popular and important areas of the website, including news items and new information.
In the small banner at the top of the home page are links to the text-only version of the website, an A-Z listing of all information contained on the site, the accessibility section, the help section, the sitemap which displays the whole structure of the website, a link to the directgov website and the contact us page.
Once you start looking at different parts of the site, there are three ways of returning to the home page. You can click on the word ‘Home’ in white text in the top menu bar, you can click on the word ‘Home’ in blue in the ‘bread crumb’ trail or you can click on the Sevenoaks District Council logo in the top left hand corner.
From within the website
On the left hand side of every page, except for the homepage, there is a menu which lists all the sections within the website and indicates the section you are in. Clicking on any of these will display any categories within that section.
Moving back and forth between pages can be done by using the ‘bread crumb’ trail at the top of each page. The trail will look something like this:
This trail always starts with ‘Home’ and then displays the path you have used to reach your destination. This can be used to revisit previous pages, by simply clicking on the relevant part of the link in the trail.
The information in the site is divided up into 12 main sections. These are: Business, Community & Living, Council, Demography & Local Services, Health Care & Education, Environment, Housing, Jobs & Careers, Leisure and Culture, Public Safety, Transport & Streets, Sevenoaks District and Online Services.
Looking for information
There are five main ways that you can find information on this website:
1. The home page
As previously described you can access any of the main sections from the homepage, as well as any news items and new pages. There are also five links in the right hand menu that allow you to view other information about jobs and careers, public notices and so on.
2. Search
Use the search box to type in your own word(s) and carry out a search for the word(s) on the website. The search box can be found in the top right hand corner of the home page, and the top left hand corner of every other page. It is best to use one or two key words rather than a long sentence. There is also an advanced search facility available.
3. Choose a main section
For example, Business, by clicking on the link in the left hand menu. You can navigate between all sections using the left hand menu.
4. A – Z
The A-Z is another method for finding information on the site. It lists all the information relating to Sevenoaks District Council in alphabetical order. To find information click on the initial letter of the service you require. For example, if you want to find information on access grants, simply click on the letter ‘A’ for access, or ‘G’ for grants.
5. Site map
The site map provides an overview of all the main areas of the website, and the individual pages within those areas. To access it click on the words ‘Site Map’ that appear in the menu bar that runs across the top of each page.
6. Jargon
We have, where possible, tried to remove all jargon. However a useful glossary to public services (and voluntary sector) jargon can be found at: www.societyguardian.co.uk/glossary
Need more assistance?
For more information or assistance please contact the Council's web team.
