Content management systems (CMS) were developed to run large portal websites with complex information and workflow requirements. The systems were designed so non-technical staff could update website content, and technical staff could get on with doing lots of technical stuff. In the late 1990′s most web development companies realised there was a large untapped market [...]
People make snap judgements on whether they can trust a particular website, often basing their initial decision just on the ‘look’ of the website. So it’s not surprising that a well designed and user friendly website will win over a site that looks amateurish and is hard to use. I was once asked to help [...]
Website usability is making sure barriers are not placed between the end user and the technology they operate. It is about making your website ‘user friendly’. There is a lot of reading available online about usability issues so I will only touch on some of the main issues. Web designers are always looking to raise [...]
When it comes to actually creating a website there are a myriad of ways to do it. Which method you choose will depend upon your budget and your technical and creative abilities. Many enthusiastic company owners have decided to ‘give it a go’ and have discovered that they have a hidden talent for website design. [...]
Getting a website online and indexed by some search engines does not guarantee its success. You may have experienced some disappointments with your site or had friends or colleagues complain about theirs. Perhaps you’re even struggling right now with an under performing website, and wondering what went wrong. So, what causes website failure? It’s usually [...]
Before you develop your website, here’s a handy tip for you. Write up some website persona’s. Persona’s are fictional web users that will interact with your website – for example “Jane, lawyer, single, 29, loves all things fashion but especially designer handbags”. Persona’s can help you work out who your target audience is, why they [...]
Be very detailed about your goals and functionality requirements and make sure the developer fully understands your expectations Got a really novel idea for a new online business? Ask your developer to sign a confidentiality agreement Do your homework on the developer, look at the sites in their portfolio, ring some of their clients Expect [...]
