The Best Laid Plans
It’s hard to discuss a single topic regarding web site creation without touching on many others. It’s a bit like looking into double mirrored reflections. No matter how deep you look there is something deeper still. In this article I will help you find a reasonable place to start.
The Budget
Much as we hate to admit it, your budget will be the driving factor in most of your decisions regarding how you build your site, where it’s hosted, and how successful your enterprise is. Let’s set your fiscal budget aside and discuss a budget much more critical to the success of your site. How much time and man power are you willing to spend to assure that the site you create has the feel, functionality and content required to meet your needs?
If you have an adequate budget to hire a competent designer, who creates consistently pleasing, functional and content rich sites you are only half way there. We have designed several sites with nice banners, slick navigation and pleasing color schemes that have never been published for want of content. You could build a million dollar web site that sits idle.
On the other hand if you are willing to spend the time you may be able to create a compelling and successful web site with nothing but your own intellect, time and a few dollars a month.
One does not have to look far to find examples of simple, visually plain web sites that have become multi-million dollar enterprises or visually fabulous sites that have done nothing.
The Specification
So what do you want your site to do? What functionality must it have? Keep in mind that a static, unchanging web site will not keep your audience coming back. You must have a plan to maintain the site. Interesting, compelling and fresh content is a key element to success. If your content providers do not have technical expertise the system must provide a method for them to get content up to the site in the desired format.
Don’t rush your specification phase. A carefully planned site will have a much better chance of reaching the final goal. This is especially true if you plan to use a vendor to develop the site. Your vendor cannot do work unless you request it and just as important their quote will not cover work unless it’s in the specification. There is nothing worse than a blown budget and an unfinished project.
Other important planning factors:
1. How large is your projected audience. Should the site support 2 users at a time or thousands?
2. Will you be selling on line?
3. Do you need a forum or interactive blog?
4. Do you need to capture user information? If so how will that information be used?
Phases
Breaking your project up into phases will increase your probability for success. The probability for successful implementation is inversely proportional to the complexity of the project. So start with an achievable project and build. This will also give you opportunity to become acquainted with any tools or consultants you have decided to work with. If you are going to use a consultant give him a small project to start! This will minimize any unpleasant surprises.
Consultants
A consultant can be useful at any stage of the project. Many times the planning stage can be the best time to use a consultant. This can save you painful hours of research that can be dispelled in a moment.
Summary
A clear specification is key to successful site implementation. Make sure you have the resources and strategy to make it to the goal and the resources to keep you content fresh and compelling.
Future Topics
Content Management Systems 101
Open Source and You
Evaluating Hosting Services
Lavier Consulting.com
Email
The Budget
Much as we hate to admit it, your budget will be the driving factor in most of your decisions regarding how you build your site, where it’s hosted, and how successful your enterprise is. Let’s set your fiscal budget aside and discuss a budget much more critical to the success of your site. How much time and man power are you willing to spend to assure that the site you create has the feel, functionality and content required to meet your needs?
If you have an adequate budget to hire a competent designer, who creates consistently pleasing, functional and content rich sites you are only half way there. We have designed several sites with nice banners, slick navigation and pleasing color schemes that have never been published for want of content. You could build a million dollar web site that sits idle.
On the other hand if you are willing to spend the time you may be able to create a compelling and successful web site with nothing but your own intellect, time and a few dollars a month.
One does not have to look far to find examples of simple, visually plain web sites that have become multi-million dollar enterprises or visually fabulous sites that have done nothing.
The Specification
So what do you want your site to do? What functionality must it have? Keep in mind that a static, unchanging web site will not keep your audience coming back. You must have a plan to maintain the site. Interesting, compelling and fresh content is a key element to success. If your content providers do not have technical expertise the system must provide a method for them to get content up to the site in the desired format.
Don’t rush your specification phase. A carefully planned site will have a much better chance of reaching the final goal. This is especially true if you plan to use a vendor to develop the site. Your vendor cannot do work unless you request it and just as important their quote will not cover work unless it’s in the specification. There is nothing worse than a blown budget and an unfinished project.
Other important planning factors:
1. How large is your projected audience. Should the site support 2 users at a time or thousands?
2. Will you be selling on line?
3. Do you need a forum or interactive blog?
4. Do you need to capture user information? If so how will that information be used?
Phases
Breaking your project up into phases will increase your probability for success. The probability for successful implementation is inversely proportional to the complexity of the project. So start with an achievable project and build. This will also give you opportunity to become acquainted with any tools or consultants you have decided to work with. If you are going to use a consultant give him a small project to start! This will minimize any unpleasant surprises.
Consultants
A consultant can be useful at any stage of the project. Many times the planning stage can be the best time to use a consultant. This can save you painful hours of research that can be dispelled in a moment.
Summary
A clear specification is key to successful site implementation. Make sure you have the resources and strategy to make it to the goal and the resources to keep you content fresh and compelling.
Future Topics
Content Management Systems 101
Open Source and You
Evaluating Hosting Services
Lavier Consulting.com
1 Comments:
As much as I hate to admit it... slick graphics and a good looking navigation won't keep your audience coming back for more.
I've had several clients leave the content of their websites up to me... big mistake! LOL, "Your the expert" they'll say. I may be good with graphics, but they are the experts when it comes to THEIR BUSINESS! Great content is the key!
Great post Paul.
Post a Comment
<< Home