There are many elements that are key to successful web development. There is no arguing that elements of talent such as graphic design, writing, and technical expertise are important. In the long run, however, it is the elements that are not directly associated with web development that determine a website's success. For the beginner, it is important to have a broader view of success
** Learn
Read. Learn. Devour all that is available. Learn about HTML, CSS, Bandwidth, Navigation, Writing, Promotion, Statistics, etc. There is so much to learn it is easy to be overwhelmed. Don't worry about the volume of information. Start in an area of weakness or interest and learn more about it. Take baby steps. Most importantly, no matter how much is learned, never consider oneself an expert. Such self-nominating status tends to impede learning.
** Purpose
What is the purpose of the website? Vincent Flander's over at Web Pages That Suck states that a web designer should always tell themselves the following:
1. The only reason my web site exists is to solve my customers' problems.
2. What problems does the page I'm looking at solve?
Sound advice.
** Goals
Set reasonable goals for the web development effort. Don't try to implement all ideas all at once. Create timelines. Build the basics first, and then fill it out later. Set content writing goals (a page a week, a blog post a day, etc.). Set link building goals.
** Organization
Organization goes hand in hand with setting goals. It doesn't matter what the organization method is, as long as it is, well, organized. This means that post-it notes plastered around the edge of a monitor is NOT an organizational method. A simple notebook with simple to-do lists suffices.
** Create a "living" site
A "living" site is one that is updated on a regular basis. Some pages may be updated daily, some monthly, some quarterly, and some yearly. Users can tell old information from new information. Many sites include an "Updated on" timestamp on the bottom of a page. Even if the information is absolutely correct, if the date is over two years old users tend to click quickly to the next item. A recently updated date (even if no changes were made) helps users know the webmaster has not left the site to die.
** Maintain
This pertains not only to content, which is covered in the point above, but to the overall design and infrastructure of the site. Are the images optimized? Is the design outdated? Are there portions of the site that are not used? Are there portions of the site that could be more user friendly? Are there broken links on the site?
** Backup
Especially if the website is an income producing, livelihood supporting website, make sure it is backed up. At the very least, back it up on a weekly basis. It seems simple, but many a webmaster has let years of work go down the drain because there was not a backup.
** Track
Who visits the website? How many people visit the website? Do they stay and browse the website? Do they click on the right links? Do they buy from the website? The only way to answer these questions is to track a web site. Tracking will inform web design in ways never thought of when the site was originally developed.
** Promote
Tell others about the website. Don't wait until the search engines rank the site well. The more people told, the more people that will come and visit.
** Perseverance
Tired of writing content? Tired of figuring out that quirky Mozilla/IE CSS problem? Tired of link building? Tired of trying to build web traffic? If anything will determine success it is the level of perseverance a web designer brings to the task. Those who persevere and attempt to overcome obstacles will be the successful ones. They may not be the best designers or writers, nor the best marketers or promoters, but they will be the ones constantly learning, changing and implementing new things in order to make their websites a success.
Paul Stefanski develops a site about recommended web design tools. It serves as a web resource for web design beginners.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Most people know they need a website in order to... Read More
Running an effective website is a continuous process. I have... Read More
In a previous ezinearticles.com article,"I Need real visitors, Not Search... Read More
Looks like every client wants a Flash site these days... Read More
After deciding what kind of internet business you want to... Read More
Is your website Really useful?I had a 'rep' in yesterday... Read More
Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More
Many of site owners still don't realize all advantages of... Read More
In the big, wide online world there are millions of... Read More
A professional online reputation is essential to the flourishing of... Read More
With all of the factors involved in designing and building... Read More
How many Web Sites did you stumble over telling you... Read More
The first step in setting up an online business...Starting an... Read More
Profiles are one of the best kept secrets around regarding... Read More
"How do I improve web site sales figures?" The CEO... Read More
Cost Effective Advertising. Online selling. Increased geopgraphic range. Wider... Read More
Your content is what gets you in search engines, speaks... Read More
Creatively marketing your corporate site takes time in the set... Read More
It may seem like the publishing industry's equivalent of Beanie... Read More
"Build it and they will come."--Filed of Dreams (1989) If... Read More
In 1995 a new era of accessibility for disabled people... Read More
Research reveals three important facts:1) The Internet is one of... Read More
In the region where my company is located, South Bend,... Read More
When I set up my website I felt paypal was... Read More
An Introduction to Server Side IncludesBeginner? That's OK!While much has... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Creatively marketing your corporate site takes time in the set... Read More
Running an effective website is a continuous process. I have... Read More
Many small businesses have the misconception that their business can... Read More
So your prospect, Mary, is sitting at the computer reading... Read More
An automated accessibility tool is a piece of software which... Read More
So your traffic is going through the roof yeah? It's... Read More
In about the Time it takes to Watch a Reality... Read More
Functions and Subroutines in ASP If you read... Read More
The big thing these days is your ability to capture... Read More
With search engines putting a damper on direct reciprocal links,... Read More
Let's begin by setting some limits. If you're like me,... Read More
When I set up my website I felt paypal was... Read More
When you take a look at the most visited sites... Read More
Do you make your website just to entertain yourself or... Read More
One of my most salient memories from when I sold... Read More
Internet Marketing is not a miracle marketing strategy ? competition... Read More
That's right. According to a recent study by Nielsen/NetRatings, Amazon.com... Read More
Creating a content management system either from scratch,... Read More
"I am a writer, not a business-person. I don't want... Read More
Is Your Web Site an Expense or an Investment?Why don't... Read More
Everyone wants one.Everyone wishes they knew how to make one.SOME... Read More
See how you can create graphic effects on text with... Read More
Web sites are an Ongoing Part of Business.All too many... Read More
When we review the sites of potential clients, there are... Read More
If you're an up and coming graphic/web designer just out... Read More
Web Development |