9 tips to remember when developing a

new (or refreshed) website:

A case study of the new huntsville.org

PRE-BUILD

Assess the situation

• How quickly do you need a new or refreshed site? • What are your resources (financial, staff, momentum, etc.) • Is your current site fully responsive? • Does it provide for a smooth user experience? • Do users know what you want them to do on the site? • Is your current site producing the results you want? Dig into the analytics of your current site.

Tip #1 Twitter/@JessCarlton

Assemble your dream team

• Identify external experts ( & hire them if possible) • Characteristics of a good website company: process-oriented, similar clients, “been there, done that” expertise & team focused, devil’s in the details

• Bring together internal team

• Get their input, ideas, catalog their needs for the website

Tip #2 Twitter/@JessCarlton

Advanced Site Map

Start with the end (and work backwards)

Tip #3

• What will be your key performance indicators for the new site?

• How do you want your audience to feel when they interact with the new site?

• What do you want them to do once they get to your new site?

• Will there need to be any internal process or staff changes once the new site is launched? ****

Twitter/@JessCarlton

****

Look at other websites with an envious eye

• What do your competitor’s websites look like? • What are the similarities of your favorite websites across

industries? • What do partner websites look like? • What pieces can you take from other websites and

incorporate in your new website? • Think not only ‘look and feel’ but user friendliness and

functionality.

Tip #4 Twitter/@JessCarlton

Not all websites fit all

• Scope of website needs will determine website platform (WordPress, Joomla, Drupel, etc.)

• Do you need a robust database? • Is it important to have a user friendly CRM? • How many folks will need access to edit content? • Do you need your website to solely display content or

will users have processes to complete on the new site (forms, payment, etc.)?

Tip #5 Twitter/@JessCarlton

GUIDING PHILOSOPHIES

Stagnation

Tip #6

• Get the most out of your website by adding, updating content, copy

• Develop content strategy: mobilize team for content creation and/or allocate new staff resources for content

• Website should be in constant state of evolution

Twitter/@JessCarlton

Think mobile

• Majority of U.S. Searches now coming from Mobile (Business Insider, May 5, 2015, http://www.businessinsider.com/google-search-traffic-mobile-passes-desktop-2015-5)

• Google Search rewards mobile friendly sites, penalizes non-mobile friendly websites.

(Tech Crunch, March 16, 2016: http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/16/googles-makes-having-a-mobile-friendly-site-more-important-get-page-one-listing-seo/)

Tip #7 Twitter/@JessCarlton

Graphic: TechCrunch.com

Websites = core to any marketing plan

Tip #8

• In most cases, all marketing materials should be leading audience to website (for more info, to complete the sales cycle, to donate, etc.)

• Should not be an after though but a central part of your strategy

Twitter/@JessCarlton

PREPARING

FOR LAUNCH

Test, test, test

Tip #9

• Click everything! • How is it looking on mobile? On tablets? On PCs? • Are your forms working correctly? How about their

work flow? Are they e-mailing the correct person? • Ideally, allow at least 2 – 3 weeks to test.

Twitter/@JessCarlton

Prepare your team

BONUS: Tip #10

• Let them have access internally before the public does • Allow time for their feedback (and for you to incorporate it)

before public launch • Finalize work flows for the new site

Twitter/@JessCarlton

Celebrate your hard work

BONUS: Tip #11

• If you don’t tout your new site, who will? • Consider a partner event to reveal and walk through your

new website • What communication tools are at your disposal to

showcase your new site? (news release, social media posts, e-blasts, video, presentations, etc.)

Twitter/@JessCarlton

EMBRACE FUN

Helpful Tools

• Wayback Machine • Google Search • Google Analytics • Google Calendar • CANVA & PicMonkey • SEO Tools (ex. Google SEO Starter Guide)

• Great article here: http://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/33164/6-SEO-Tools-to-Analyze-Your-Site-Like-Google-Does.aspx#sm.0001ude9y0d5ydgo10zytxafzwn38

Twitter/@JessCarlton

9 tips to remember when developing a

new (or refreshed) website:

A case study of the new huntsville.org