web design rules for pr
DESCRIPTION
45 rules of web development for PR people. (AKA how not to annoy and destroy your developers, alienate designers and look stupid in front of clients). Crowdsourced and created by PR agency, Ruder Finn UK.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
45 rules of web development for PR people(AKA how not to annoy and
destroy your developers,
alienate designers and look
stupid in front of clients).
![Page 2: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Don’t assume anything.
![Page 3: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Know your DNS from your IP address (there
are some terms you just gotta know)
![Page 4: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Know the basic first questions to ask. The same
each time. First is always why? Then audience,
hosting, access, tech, deadlines, budget…
![Page 5: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Learn how to write a brief. And fast. Your career
depends on how well you can brief people.
![Page 6: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Start with the user. Always. You don’t
personally need to be an expert in UX but you
always start there.
![Page 7: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Few digital projects are the same. Designers
and developers are sometimes as new to this
as you are.
![Page 8: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Adapt the planning process to fit the
individual campaign. Figure out early what is
going to be less painful and more productive.
![Page 9: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Plan around the deliverables but don’t
forget basics like holidays, meetings,
courses, client events…
![Page 10: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
A solid project plan is important but don’t
assume everything will go as planned. It
won’t. Ever.
![Page 11: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Be clear when it needs to go live. Then
be clear when it REALLY needs to go
live
![Page 12: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Think about metrics before you start and
when you’re building, not afterwards.
![Page 13: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Check your team capacity at every stage
of the process. Have back-ups.
![Page 14: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
A wireframe is a site framework, not an
accurate technical drawing or design.
![Page 15: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
With responsive design and parallax/scrolling
sites, there is no longer a “fold” to be below.
![Page 16: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Understand colours and fonts and how
they work on the web vs. in print.
![Page 17: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Think about measurement across all channels.
![Page 18: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Edits cost money, build in sufficient rounds or
your margin will walk out of the door before
your designs are signed off.
![Page 19: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
IE8 and below are closer to an etch-a-sketch
than a browser.
![Page 20: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Always view mockups at full size.
![Page 21: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Build in double the time you think you’ll
need for edits and approvals.
![Page 22: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Assume content will be late and factor in
appropriately.
![Page 23: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Inches and centimetres have no place or
meaning on screen (e.g. don’t ask to 'nudge a
logo up a few mm’)
![Page 24: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Always be aware of responsive viewing
on different devices.
![Page 25: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Know what your team’s capabilities are –
assign clear ownership, especially when
multiple agencies involved.
![Page 26: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Get it in writing – no backtracking allowed!
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Forget traditional typesetting (at least in
terms of body content).
![Page 28: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
• Know your devices and their limitations
• Know your browsers and their limitations
• Know your audience and their limitations
![Page 29: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Your PR client probably hasn't got overall
sign off without input from brand, legal, IT
etc. Check this at the outset.
![Page 30: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
If it comes back without changes, the
right person hasn’t seen it yet.
![Page 31: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Good developers are very hard to find.
Handle with care in the main, kick ass only if
occasionally necessary.
![Page 32: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Designers and developers don't work 24/7.
Unless your support contract specifies it.
![Page 33: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Know when to push back on your client and
when to push back on your developers. Use
both wisely and don’t confuse the two.
![Page 34: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
It's perfectly fine to say "no" or “not in
time for launch” if there genuinely isn’t
the time to do something well.
![Page 35: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
When timelines slip or launch
approaches, build a 'real world' list rather
than a 'wish list' and prioritise accordingly
![Page 36: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Things can, do and always will go wrong;
have alternative suppliers in case you
need them for support.
![Page 37: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
No matter how much you test, there will
always be someone somewhere who
can’t get the thing to work.
![Page 38: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
DNS propagation can take up to and
even beyond 48hours. Not everything
online is immediate.
![Page 39: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Video and animation takes forever to
render and upload. Changes cost money
and take time, it’s not Microsoft Word.
![Page 40: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
If timescales slip on the client side,
suggest launching in phases.
![Page 41: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Remember that your devs and designers do
have lives of their own….
![Page 42: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Check and double check the SEO plans
and agreements for the project, if any.
![Page 43: Web design rules for PR](https://reader033.vdocuments.site/reader033/viewer/2022060203/559d68441a28abf85d8b45ff/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Invest as much time/money/thought/effort
into promoting it as you do building it.
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Learn each time. And keep learning. And
learn from your mistakes.
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Beware of knowing a bit and becoming an
expert. You’re not. You’re learning.
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When it is a web build, it is never
final. Ever.
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NEXTwhat’s
This was crowdsourced from our design and dev teams
by Becky McMichael, Ruder Finn
@beckymcmichael
+44 (0) 7788 421165
*images taken from Flickr and used under CC