This document provides tips for developing websites more successfully. It recommends starting with discovery, understanding user needs through personas and user journeys. An important step is defining goals, content, and technical requirements up front. Estimations should allow flexibility through time and materials billing rather than fixed quotes. The development process requires selecting the right solutions, managing feature creep, and ensuring high code quality. Successful releases involve client sign off, delivering on time and goals, measuring success, and providing ongoing security and support.
7. How to fail less
Don’t skip discovery
Generic requests without specs will hurt everyone. Align expectations
Start by the end
What’s the value you’ll be creating to the end users. Your client is not the audience
User experience
What will be the journey for each persona
Tech solution
The tools you’ll need based in what you’ve found
Development
Multi-disciplinary, working closely
Release quickly and often (MVP is your friend)
9. Discovery
Strategy
Goals, Messaging
User Experience
Audience, User journeys, Functionality and Usability
Content
Types, Management and Localisation
Creative
Look & feel, Assets, Brand Guidelines and Tone
Development
URL, Hosting, Legacy integration, Security and Development preferences
11. Estimations
Fixed quote + uncertainty = pain
T&M allows bigger flexibility and work quality
MVP is your friend
Value based pricing vs value for money
Communication and expectations alignment
13. Development
The right solutions for the solution
Out-of-the box vs custom
Feature creep
Development is perceived as slow and expensive
Code quality (Q&A)
15. Release
Did the client sign off the release?
Are we delivering on time?
Are we meeting the goals? Help the client
to succeed.
Measure and iterate
A new beginning
Security and support
User Experience
Audience – Who are we trying to communicate to? Who are your primary/secondary/tertiary audiences? Why? Is that different from your desired audience? What are their demographics? Why would they come to visit? When do they come? Why would they come back?
User journeys – Who are the users of the site? What are their different needs? What do we want them to do? What are the current barriers? How can we increase customer satisfaction? How can we generate loyalty? How can we drive conversion?
Functionality – What types of functionality beyond static content pages is required? Browser detection? Geo-IP detection? Multilingual support? Shopping cart or eCommerce? Data capture? Forms? Print screen? Cookies? Dynamic content? Interactive maps? Store locators? Blogs? Events calendar? Jobs listings? A feed for frequently updated content? A photo gallery? Social integration? Why is it needed? How will this functionality achieve our business objectives?
Usability – What are the requirements for us to do user testing? What devices are we supporting? What browsers are we supporting? What platforms are we building for? What is the minimum screen size we should develop for each? What are the requirements and standards for accessibility compliance?
Content
Types – What is the content we will load into the site? Is it repurposing old content or creating new content? How many sections of content will there be? What pages are required? What are the different content types we need to support? Why is it needed? What will it achieve? How will the content be meshed together? How does the content relate to other content?
Management –Who will write it? When will it be ready? Who will load content onto the site? Who will maintain it? What workflow and permission levels, approvals are required?
Localisation – How many markets need to be supported? How many different languages within those markets? What are the content differences between different markets? When do the different markets need to be launched? What other market specific requirements should we be aware of?
Creative
Look & feel – What creative have you seen that you like? What don’t we like? Why?
Assets – What branding work has already been done? How popular is it internally and externally with customers? Where can we find brand assets – logos, brand guidelines, photography?
Brand Guidelines – How well defined are the brand guidelines? How rigid is the existing style guide?
Tone – Are there existing websites that you like that would provide creative insight into a desired look and feel? Is there an emotional end-state we’d like to have your audience walk away with?
Technical
URL – What is the URL for this site? Who is the current domain registrar? How will we support multilingual markets?
Hosting – Who is hosting the site? IIS or Apache Linux or Windows or other? What is the current load on the server? Are databases being used, if so, what type? Are there database preferences? What backup mechanisms are required? Will there be spikes in traffic requiring a content delivery network (CDN) like AWS, Akamai or Limelight?
Legacy integration – What existing systems will this website need to connect with?
Security – Will we need to create user accounts? Will encryption be required? Will there be password-protected areas? What personal data will we need to store and secure?
Development preferences – Can we use Drupal? Is there a development framework we need to use? What devices, browsers and platforms need support?
Tracking – What are the KPI’s? Will we track using analytic tools like Webtrends, Google Analytics or other measurement technologies like ClickTale or something more comprehensive like Adobe SiteCatalyst?
Project Management
Process – How does this project relate to other live projects? What’s the project plan? What are we going to do (Statement of Work)? What is the running order for activities (methodology)? When (timing plan)? How much will it cost (budget)?
Communication – Can we use Podio? Is there other required communication channels to use? Who needs to be involved, when? What tools will we use to communicate, collaborate and share?
Governance – How are we going to manage the process? Who are the stakeholders? Who’s responsible, accountable, consulted informed? How will we manage any changes in requirements?
Approval process – How will we effectively manage the project team and the stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle?
Project management – How are we tracking progress to ensure we’re meeting the defined requirements, running on time, and keeping to budget? When is the deadline for live date? Why? What is driving the requirement to meet that date?
User Experience
Audience – Who are we trying to communicate to? Who are your primary/secondary/tertiary audiences? Why? Is that different from your desired audience? What are their demographics? Why would they come to visit? When do they come? Why would they come back?
User journeys – Who are the users of the site? What are their different needs? What do we want them to do? What are the current barriers? How can we increase customer satisfaction? How can we generate loyalty? How can we drive conversion?
Functionality – What types of functionality beyond static content pages is required? Browser detection? Geo-IP detection? Multilingual support? Shopping cart or eCommerce? Data capture? Forms? Print screen? Cookies? Dynamic content? Interactive maps? Store locators? Blogs? Events calendar? Jobs listings? A feed for frequently updated content? A photo gallery? Social integration? Why is it needed? How will this functionality achieve our business objectives?
Usability – What are the requirements for us to do user testing? What devices are we supporting? What browsers are we supporting? What platforms are we building for? What is the minimum screen size we should develop for each? What are the requirements and standards for accessibility compliance?
Content
Types – What is the content we will load into the site? Is it repurposing old content or creating new content? How many sections of content will there be? What pages are required? What are the different content types we need to support? Why is it needed? What will it achieve? How will the content be meshed together? How does the content relate to other content?
Management –Who will write it? When will it be ready? Who will load content onto the site? Who will maintain it? What workflow and permission levels, approvals are required?
Localisation – How many markets need to be supported? How many different languages within those markets? What are the content differences between different markets? When do the different markets need to be launched? What other market specific requirements should we be aware of?
Creative
Look & feel – What creative have you seen that you like? What don’t we like? Why?
Assets – What branding work has already been done? How popular is it internally and externally with customers? Where can we find brand assets – logos, brand guidelines, photography?
Brand Guidelines – How well defined are the brand guidelines? How rigid is the existing style guide?
Tone – Are there existing websites that you like that would provide creative insight into a desired look and feel? Is there an emotional end-state we’d like to have your audience walk away with?
Technical
URL – What is the URL for this site? Who is the current domain registrar? How will we support multilingual markets?
Hosting – Who is hosting the site? IIS or Apache Linux or Windows or other? What is the current load on the server? Are databases being used, if so, what type? Are there database preferences? What backup mechanisms are required? Will there be spikes in traffic requiring a content delivery network (CDN) like AWS, Akamai or Limelight?
Legacy integration – What existing systems will this website need to connect with?
Security – Will we need to create user accounts? Will encryption be required? Will there be password-protected areas? What personal data will we need to store and secure?
Development preferences – Can we use Drupal? Is there a development framework we need to use? What devices, browsers and platforms need support?
Tracking – What are the KPI’s? Will we track using analytic tools like Webtrends, Google Analytics or other measurement technologies like ClickTale or something more comprehensive like Adobe SiteCatalyst?
Project Management
Process – How does this project relate to other live projects? What’s the project plan? What are we going to do (Statement of Work)? What is the running order for activities (methodology)? When (timing plan)? How much will it cost (budget)?
Communication – Can we use Podio? Is there other required communication channels to use? Who needs to be involved, when? What tools will we use to communicate, collaborate and share?
Governance – How are we going to manage the process? Who are the stakeholders? Who’s responsible, accountable, consulted informed? How will we manage any changes in requirements?
Approval process – How will we effectively manage the project team and the stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle?
Project management – How are we tracking progress to ensure we’re meeting the defined requirements, running on time, and keeping to budget? When is the deadline for live date? Why? What is driving the requirement to meet that date?
User Experience
Audience – Who are we trying to communicate to? Who are your primary/secondary/tertiary audiences? Why? Is that different from your desired audience? What are their demographics? Why would they come to visit? When do they come? Why would they come back?
User journeys – Who are the users of the site? What are their different needs? What do we want them to do? What are the current barriers? How can we increase customer satisfaction? How can we generate loyalty? How can we drive conversion?
Functionality – What types of functionality beyond static content pages is required? Browser detection? Geo-IP detection? Multilingual support? Shopping cart or eCommerce? Data capture? Forms? Print screen? Cookies? Dynamic content? Interactive maps? Store locators? Blogs? Events calendar? Jobs listings? A feed for frequently updated content? A photo gallery? Social integration? Why is it needed? How will this functionality achieve our business objectives?
Usability – What are the requirements for us to do user testing? What devices are we supporting? What browsers are we supporting? What platforms are we building for? What is the minimum screen size we should develop for each? What are the requirements and standards for accessibility compliance?
Content
Types – What is the content we will load into the site? Is it repurposing old content or creating new content? How many sections of content will there be? What pages are required? What are the different content types we need to support? Why is it needed? What will it achieve? How will the content be meshed together? How does the content relate to other content?
Management –Who will write it? When will it be ready? Who will load content onto the site? Who will maintain it? What workflow and permission levels, approvals are required?
Localisation – How many markets need to be supported? How many different languages within those markets? What are the content differences between different markets? When do the different markets need to be launched? What other market specific requirements should we be aware of?
Creative
Look & feel – What creative have you seen that you like? What don’t we like? Why?
Assets – What branding work has already been done? How popular is it internally and externally with customers? Where can we find brand assets – logos, brand guidelines, photography?
Brand Guidelines – How well defined are the brand guidelines? How rigid is the existing style guide?
Tone – Are there existing websites that you like that would provide creative insight into a desired look and feel? Is there an emotional end-state we’d like to have your audience walk away with?
Technical
URL – What is the URL for this site? Who is the current domain registrar? How will we support multilingual markets?
Hosting – Who is hosting the site? IIS or Apache Linux or Windows or other? What is the current load on the server? Are databases being used, if so, what type? Are there database preferences? What backup mechanisms are required? Will there be spikes in traffic requiring a content delivery network (CDN) like AWS, Akamai or Limelight?
Legacy integration – What existing systems will this website need to connect with?
Security – Will we need to create user accounts? Will encryption be required? Will there be password-protected areas? What personal data will we need to store and secure?
Development preferences – Can we use Drupal? Is there a development framework we need to use? What devices, browsers and platforms need support?
Tracking – What are the KPI’s? Will we track using analytic tools like Webtrends, Google Analytics or other measurement technologies like ClickTale or something more comprehensive like Adobe SiteCatalyst?
Project Management
Process – How does this project relate to other live projects? What’s the project plan? What are we going to do (Statement of Work)? What is the running order for activities (methodology)? When (timing plan)? How much will it cost (budget)?
Communication – Can we use Podio? Is there other required communication channels to use? Who needs to be involved, when? What tools will we use to communicate, collaborate and share?
Governance – How are we going to manage the process? Who are the stakeholders? Who’s responsible, accountable, consulted informed? How will we manage any changes in requirements?
Approval process – How will we effectively manage the project team and the stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle?
Project management – How are we tracking progress to ensure we’re meeting the defined requirements, running on time, and keeping to budget? When is the deadline for live date? Why? What is driving the requirement to meet that date?
User Experience
Audience – Who are we trying to communicate to? Who are your primary/secondary/tertiary audiences? Why? Is that different from your desired audience? What are their demographics? Why would they come to visit? When do they come? Why would they come back?
User journeys – Who are the users of the site? What are their different needs? What do we want them to do? What are the current barriers? How can we increase customer satisfaction? How can we generate loyalty? How can we drive conversion?
Functionality – What types of functionality beyond static content pages is required? Browser detection? Geo-IP detection? Multilingual support? Shopping cart or eCommerce? Data capture? Forms? Print screen? Cookies? Dynamic content? Interactive maps? Store locators? Blogs? Events calendar? Jobs listings? A feed for frequently updated content? A photo gallery? Social integration? Why is it needed? How will this functionality achieve our business objectives?
Usability – What are the requirements for us to do user testing? What devices are we supporting? What browsers are we supporting? What platforms are we building for? What is the minimum screen size we should develop for each? What are the requirements and standards for accessibility compliance?
Content
Types – What is the content we will load into the site? Is it repurposing old content or creating new content? How many sections of content will there be? What pages are required? What are the different content types we need to support? Why is it needed? What will it achieve? How will the content be meshed together? How does the content relate to other content?
Management –Who will write it? When will it be ready? Who will load content onto the site? Who will maintain it? What workflow and permission levels, approvals are required?
Localisation – How many markets need to be supported? How many different languages within those markets? What are the content differences between different markets? When do the different markets need to be launched? What other market specific requirements should we be aware of?
Creative
Look & feel – What creative have you seen that you like? What don’t we like? Why?
Assets – What branding work has already been done? How popular is it internally and externally with customers? Where can we find brand assets – logos, brand guidelines, photography?
Brand Guidelines – How well defined are the brand guidelines? How rigid is the existing style guide?
Tone – Are there existing websites that you like that would provide creative insight into a desired look and feel? Is there an emotional end-state we’d like to have your audience walk away with?
Technical
URL – What is the URL for this site? Who is the current domain registrar? How will we support multilingual markets?
Hosting – Who is hosting the site? IIS or Apache Linux or Windows or other? What is the current load on the server? Are databases being used, if so, what type? Are there database preferences? What backup mechanisms are required? Will there be spikes in traffic requiring a content delivery network (CDN) like AWS, Akamai or Limelight?
Legacy integration – What existing systems will this website need to connect with?
Security – Will we need to create user accounts? Will encryption be required? Will there be password-protected areas? What personal data will we need to store and secure?
Development preferences – Can we use Drupal? Is there a development framework we need to use? What devices, browsers and platforms need support?
Tracking – What are the KPI’s? Will we track using analytic tools like Webtrends, Google Analytics or other measurement technologies like ClickTale or something more comprehensive like Adobe SiteCatalyst?
Project Management
Process – How does this project relate to other live projects? What’s the project plan? What are we going to do (Statement of Work)? What is the running order for activities (methodology)? When (timing plan)? How much will it cost (budget)?
Communication – Can we use Podio? Is there other required communication channels to use? Who needs to be involved, when? What tools will we use to communicate, collaborate and share?
Governance – How are we going to manage the process? Who are the stakeholders? Who’s responsible, accountable, consulted informed? How will we manage any changes in requirements?
Approval process – How will we effectively manage the project team and the stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle?
Project management – How are we tracking progress to ensure we’re meeting the defined requirements, running on time, and keeping to budget? When is the deadline for live date? Why? What is driving the requirement to meet that date?