Archive for the ‘implementation’ Category
How to write a great web developer brief
Monday, June 1st, 2009Whether your web project is multi-millions or barely into four figures (I’ve done both kinds!) I believe the key to success is investing the time in a really thorough brief for your developer. It forces you to consider exactly what it is you want from your new or relaunched web-site. You can also use a good web brief to help you decide which developer to use, and it can be enlightening getting several possible solutions to the proposed “problem”. I often liken web projects to building projects; if you are creating a house from scratch or extending an existing house, you need to spend time working out what you want to do in which room and how you want the whole building to feel, and enlist a good designer or architect to help you create the plans. You don’t just engage a builder recommended by your neighbour and give them instructions as you go along! So here is my essential check-list for a great web developer brief: (more…)
Tags: budgets, content plan, functional requirements, project management, timescales, web brief, web build, web design guidelines, web developer
Posted in SME digital marketing, implementation
How to get the best work from a web developer
Sunday, April 26th, 2009Business people usually expect web developers to work miracles - to read their mind, know about all current web developments and to create the perfect site in days. Life of course isn’t quite like that. The key to creating or updating your web site without tears is to spend time on the upfront planning. Here’s my own tips on making it a smooth process - I have applied these to large-scale corporate roll-outs and also new sites for SMEs: (more…)
Tags: developer, new website, project management, relaunch, top tips, web build
Posted in business strategy, implementation
How to save on your manufacturing, paper and print costs
Thursday, March 12th, 2009Publishers who are prepared to think laterally about how their product is created and consumed by its readers have the opportunity to make savings on their manufacturing costs. After a short meeting with David Foakes, print and production consultant, I had plenty of ideas on how publishers can take advantage of the opportunities available in the market, and transform their cost base. (more…)
Tags: format, paper, print, production, workflow
Posted in b2b, consumer, implementation
Making the multi-platform editorial team a reality
Monday, February 23rd, 2009Creating an editorial team that works across print, video and web is now not just a long term aspiration, it’s a requirement for survival. See my recent blog on the Guardian’s web strategy for their take on integrated edit teams. Many media companies are still being held back by not knowing how to make this change, and how to avoid the pitfalls. I’ve provided some basic hints and tips in this earlier blog.
Simon Penson , a former editor at Emap, has lived this challenge for the last four years. Below he outlines some of his key learnings: (more…)
Tags: consumers, content, editorial team, people and culture
Posted in content, implementation, people and culture
Tips on soft launching a new website
Monday, February 2nd, 2009Whether your site is brand new or a relaunch, it is best to have a soft launch period before you start to set high expectations for it. Here are some tips on making the soft launch as successful as possible, learnt the hard way from my exposure to launching and relaunching sites…. (more…)
Tags: beta, feedback, opinion formers, people and culture, project management, relaunch, review, soft launch, team, web build
Posted in implementation, news
Five questions to ask before you relaunch your magazine website
Saturday, January 10th, 2009Not happy with your magazine website? Want a refresh for the new year? Before you rush to your developer and get distracted by the details of design take the time to ask yourself the following five questions - and answer them honestly. (more…)
Tags: brand, consumer, e-commerce, relaunch, targeting, top tips, UGC
Posted in advertising, consumer, content, implementation, marketing, people and culture
Tips for success on a web project
Thursday, January 8th, 2009It’s always tempting to build a bespoke site - and equally tempting to over-spec it and become frustrated when timescales and budgets over-run. Here are some tips for success based on my experiences in project managing nine web launches for a major publisher…. (more…)
Tags: audience, planning, project management, proposition, talent, top tips, web build
Posted in b2b, business strategy, consumer, implementation