1. Outline Site Structure & Template Needs

The first step in planning a dynamic site is to outline its structure. It's not important to include every page on the site -- after all, if the site is dynamic, these details will constantly change. The idea is to anticipate the types of navigation, features and formatting that might generally be needed in various areas of the site.

Each variation in formatting or features will require a different template, so you'll want to strike a balance of allowing a variety of features and layouts without creating an unmanageable number of templates. Having a relatively small number of templates will make it easier to make site-wide design changes later. It will also keep the site consistent, which is important for good usability.