Are you linking to third party websites on your website?  Manufacturer, partner, supplier, associations?  When was the last time that you checked to see that they still work?

When a third party revamps their website, it is likely that page names and URLs will likely change as well.

If you like to third party websites, every once in a while (aim for monthly) click on those links.  If any of the links are broken,

• make a note of what link it is on your website and what it was pointing to,
• go to the third party’s home page and see if you can find the information that you were originally linking to,
• copy and paste this new link into your notes so your web company can easily update the links.
• contact your web company and request that the links be updated.

Did you know that Googling an image, right clicking on it and saving it to your desktop does not give you the right to use it on your website?  If the image is copyrighted and you do not have the rights, you can be fined thousands of dollars (per image) and forced to remove the image from your website immediately.

There are lots of sites where you can purchase the rights to use royalty-free stock images.  iStockphoto.com and fotolia.com are two that we frequently use when sourcing images for website projects.

Credits can be purchased in bulk or on a pay-as-you-go basis.  You then use the credits to purchase the images.  The variety of stock images is immense and chances are you will find the image you are looking for.

It is easy to sign up for an account, purchase the credits and cash them in for the photos.  Cover your tail and use images that you have the rights to use on your website.

Once the contract is signed, one of the first questions that clients ask is “When will it be live?”

The bulk of a project’s timeline is dedicated to defining what the project is, the design and the content development/gathering.  All these components must be finished before the actual coding of the website can occur.  Any delays during these phases will push back the target launch date.

Adhering to the project’s production schedule will keep both the client and the project manager on the same page in terms of what is needed before proceeding to the next phase of the project.  Weekly communication between the project manager and the client help to keep the project on track by keeping each party’s tasks front of mind.

When starting your website project, ask for a production schedule/timeline, mark down your action items, clarify any action items that you aren’t clear on, and insist on scheduling a weekly project update by email, phone or in person.

Your business existed before your website so why should your website change the way you do business.  No sense in reinventing the wheel.

Your website should complement the way you are currently doing business (interacting with customers, and providing excellent service) as well as making it easy for potential customers to choose you to do business with.

Imagine your website as a new employee who will be working for you 365 days a year.  They will accurately reflect your company’s products and/or services, highlight the level of service you provide and clearly identify how to contact you or get more information.

I would imagine that you would take time to interview potential candidates to learn about their background and experience.  Once hiring the person who is the best fit, you would take the time to train them so they represent your company in a professional manner.

Is it time for your website’s annual performance review?

Writing the content for your website can be a daunting experience.  You want to make the right first impression so that customers will come to you.  Here are some ideas to consider:

But big words make me sound smart…don’t they?

Describe your business (products and/or services) using a clear, concise language. You want your potential customer to understand what you do.  Use complex terms only if it relates to your industry.  Using big, complicated words when they are not needed only confuses your potential customer and can easily deter them from contacting you for business.

Not too much and not too little

Be selective with how much content you use on your website.  Find a happy medium where the potential customer learns enough about your company that they know they want to work with you, but they need to contact you for details regarding your services or products.

Just when you think it’s perfect…

Read your content out loud.  It makes it easier to pick out a sentence or wording that just isn’t quite right.  Your eyes can deceive you by reading what you want it to say and not necessarily what it actually says.

Happy writing!

Without a doubt web & software development projects are complex, however here are five tips to keep things on track.

4) Celebrate the Wins
Projects can be stressful and emotional  at times.  Lots of responsibilities fall onto the shoulders of the client (like gathering content, reporting progress to superiors within their organization etc).  Have a celebratory coffee, lunch, or phone call at the end of each milestone to keep the human factor in the project.  Remember, as professionals it might be one project of many, but to the client it’s their baby.

5) Be the Professional they Hired
This is a tough one, but inevitably there will be times when the client or the client’s colleagues will want to take your spot in the driver’s seat.  Remember that while it takes four wheels for a car to move, but there’s only room for one person to steer.   Don’t succumb to the temptation of “giving in” if as a professional you are acutely aware that the client is asking (or demanding) for something that is detrimental to the project.  If you’ve been hired to design a website, it’s great to get their feedback but you need to stand tall and hold your ground to talk them out of that 1 minute flash intro or outdated graphic they insist on using.

Remember that in the end, they hired you for your expertise so ensure you give it to them unabashedly for the benefit of all project stakeholders.

Have something to add?  I’d love to discuss it.  Comments are always welcome.