Doomsday page
The final piece of contingency design featured in this chapter is for accommodating the
worst-case scenario: the entire site is down. This is either scheduled or unscheduled. The
user does not need to know the details of the crisis, but they should be assured that
the staff does indeed realize there is a problem, and if possible, be given a rough estimate
when the site should be back online.
Some corporate websites have a consistent user community that regularly visits forums,
administrative sections, and other areas requiring a login. This group should always be
notified of site maintenance or planned downtime in advance. This will significantly reduce
the number of panicked phone calls from users demanding to know whether the company
went out of business, was sold to foreign oil investors, or was annihilated by a giant laser
beam from outer space.
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There really are no guidelines to the doomsday page. Helpful, friendly messaging is important,
but the content and design is up to the company itself. Many of them, like YouTube
in Figure 11-10, have fun with it.
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