CLASS ONE - Program Notes Session One

What are the first steps?

1. Define the goals for the project.
2. Create a schematic and outline for the project.
3. Analize the resources you have for the project, time, money, etc.
4. Analize the resources you need for the project, hardware, software, consulting, etc.
5. Create a timeline with achievable benchmarks.

What are some of the characteristics of a successful web site?

1. The key to a successful web site is a positive user experience.
a. Intuative navigation
b. Clean desing
c. Fast loading

What are the different kinds of goals a business could define for a web site?

1. Define the purpose of the site, and determine how you will evaluate the success

• Sales - positive cash ROI (craft store)
  
• Brand Awareness (new product on the market)
  
• Customer Service - Allow users to do research on your product or service

Once you define those goals, how do you translate that into a plan?

1. Create a schematic/content plan for the project that outlines the flow of the site
2. Create a timeline with achievable benchmarks
3. Follow a process

• Create a design for the project
  
• Production
  
• Testing/Revisions
  
• Implementation
  
• Ongoing maintenance

What kinds of questions should the content plan answer?

1. What content do you already have, and what do we need to create?

• Text
  
• Images - stock photography or original photography
  

2. How will you gather all of the content, who is responsible for what?

Most projects start out with a wish list bigger than what can be achieved. How do you go about narrowing it down?

1. Prioritize - rate each section based on importance

• If you are selling a product, your products are necessary
  
• If you are selling a product, a virtual tour of the store is not necessary
  

2. Don't forget about items that couldn't be attained in v1 of the site, keep a list.

How do you keep a project from running away with you?

1. Stick to your plan, don't add to phase one with your project. Keep a list of elements you would like to add to the site, they can be added later.
2. It is a very common thing to want to add features when you start, but sticking to the plan will allow you to keep your timeline, and will keep you focused on your    original goal.
3. Keep in mind that the web is a fluid medium that can be changed quickly and easily. You don't have to reprint or re-shoot video, you can keep adding to your site.