What to consider when planning a website

I recently made a presentation about what to consider when planning a website. It focused on what makes a good website and the features that can be considered as a part of the foundation or as value added optional items.

Below you will find the Slideshare version of the presentation. Naturally, there is lots of good stuff that isn’t included here because I use each slide as a jumping off point to talk about the high level information presented. But I still think there is a lot of good information here especially for charities, non-profits and small businesses that are thinking about creating a new website.

One point that doesn’t come out strongly in the slides as it did in person was how your strategy-communications and online including your website-must be designed to attract and meet the needs of your target audiences so that it helps you achieve your organization’s goals and objectives.

[sorry I removed the presentation from slideshare]

What else would you include in this kind of presentation? I’d like to know so that I can improve future versions of it.

2 comments
James Howe
James Howe

Thanks Victoria! I'm glad to hear that I hit the mark. You're right though that accessibility is an important issue especially in light of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). It's especially critical for the public sector (and even I understand for organizations that are funded through the public sector) but it's an important consideration for any website and is best practice to consider it a part of the "foundational" portion of the website.

Victoria Raab

Great post! thanks for sharing. The only thing I think you're missing is a reminder of consideration of implementing accessibility standards (for visually impaired etc.) - this is especially necessary in public sector organizations, who must adhere to specifics legislated in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.