Best practices vs. reality: How to create amazing websites under un-amazing circumstances
45
BEST PRACTICES VS REALITY How to create amazing websites under un-amazing circumstances NICA LORBER @nicelobster
-
Upload
nica-lorber -
Category
Design
-
view
687 -
download
1
description
t's a reality that web designers, developers, and UXers live with every day: there is a tension between the best practices touted by industry leaders and the reality of getting the job done. Common challenges include: - A content-first approach to web design doesn't work if the client has no content. - A mobile-first approach doesn't work if the client only has the budget to deal with desktop. - Compelling content can't exist if the client doesn't have the resources to create it. And yet, great websites are still produced. We overcome hurdles like these on every single project. Over time we've gotten better at dealing with a lack of copy, images, key messaging, staff resources, and time. So what's our solution? Flexibility. Understanding the "real" problem is the starting point for figuring out how to deliver the highest value. We have a rock-solid process that we regularly adapt to solve our clients' actual problems.
Transcript of Best practices vs. reality: How to create amazing websites under un-amazing circumstances
BEST PRACTICES VS REALITYHow to create amazing websites under un-amazing circumstances
NICA LORBER@nicelobster
• You get inspired
• You meet cool people
• You learn new techniques
• You get psyched about the future
• And you learn…
BEST PRACTICES!
Can there really be one set of BEST PRACTICES to rule them all?
Yet, the internet is a very big place.
WHAT MATTERS:RESULTS
on time • on budget • happy client
WEBSITES
WEB APPS
MOBILE APPS
WEBSITE "DRUPAL "
#THIS IS OUR CONTEXT
PICK THE RIGHT “BEST PRACTICE” FOR YOU
ASK:
1. What are the goals? 2. What’s my timeline? 3. What’s the budget? 4. Who is my team? 5. What are their strengths?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THESE BEST PRACTICES?
BEST PRACTICE: CONTENT FIRST
THE REALITY: THIS CLIENT DOESN’T EXIST
SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
CREATE STRUCTURE WHERE YOU CAN, AND FLEXIBLE SYSTEMS FOR THE REST
Identify opportunities for structured content
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
BLOG•Title •Author •Body •Categories •Image/Video •Comments
IN THE NEWS•Article title •Article source •Image (optional) •Logo of source (optional) •Date •Author
PRESS RELEASE•Title •Body •Date •Link to download •Press contact •Categories
EVENTS•Title •Location •Time range •Date (s) •Description •Register
WHITE PAPERS•Title •Author •Date •Teaser •Download
VIDEOS•Title •Video Imbed •Thumbnail •Categories •Date
LEADERSHIP•Thumbnail •Name •Title •Bio •Social media links
COMMON STRUCTURED CONTENT
CREATE FLEXIBLE DESIGN SYSTEMS#“Chunks, not blobs”
EXAMPLE:
GOALS•Communicate value of services
•Increase brand trust
•Entice people to delve further
CTAs•Sign up for a live demo
•Contact US
•30 day trial
CONTENT CHUNKS•Video/key image + text
•Text chunks (2 - 8)
•Imagery optional
•Client endorsement quote
•Related content
•blogs, white papers, videos, webinars, data sheets
NOTE…Few clients still spend that much time on their content even when given these flexible systems.
The content problem is often rooted deep within the structure of the organization.
BEST PRACTICE: MOBILE FIRST
THE REALITY:Many clients don’t have the money resources to do this.
SO WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?
HELP CLIENTS SHORT TERM WITH THEIR BURNING NEEDS.
!
CRAFT MORE THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS WHEN THEY HAVE RESOURCES.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
HOW CAN WE ADD VALUE?
WE ARE HELPING CCA WITH:" MOBILE DESIGN " USABILITY TESTING " CONTENT STRATEGY " NEXT: IA OVERHAUL
FORM LONG TERM PARTNERSHIPS
CONTENT STRATEGY
BEST PRACTICE: DESIGN IN THE BROWSER
THE REALITY: REFINE IN THE BROWSER
The design process still stands
" DEFINE GOALS " RESEARCH " SITE MAP " ARCHITECT " VISUAL DESIGN
DESIGN IN THE BROWSER IS GREAT FOR:
• Highly interactive sites
• Responsive design refinement
• Quickly responding to user testing
• Or if that is your fastest and most effective tool
BUT IT’S NOT ALWAYS NECESSARYMany sites are straight forward and don’t need it.
Rapid Drupal architecting without understanding the detailed
functionality the whole website can have significant trade offs…
This is the architecture equivalent of Agile development.
PICK THE RIGHT “BEST PRACTICE” FOR YOU
ASK:
1. What are the goals? 2. What’s my timeline? 3. What’s the budget? 4. Who is my team? 5. What are their strengths?
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
HOW CAN WE ADD VALUE?
WHAT IS A BUSINESS?
http://book.personalmba.com/5-parts-of-every-business/ - by Josh Kaufman
HOW DO WE HELP WITH THESE PROCESSES?
http://book.personalmba.com/5-parts-of-every-business/ - by Josh Kaufman
WE HAVE TO GROW - WE ARE BECOMING MORE THAN WEB DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS
WE ARE: • BUSINESS STRATEGISTS • MARKETERS • PARTNERS
GOALS NOT TOOLS
GOALSKPIs
STRATEGY
EXECUTION
ANALYSIS
http://moz.com/blog/setting-goals-not-tools-as-the-foundation-of-your-marketing-whiteboard-fridayMackenzie Fogelson
PICK THE RIGHT “BEST PRACTICE” FOR YOU
ASK:
1. What are the goals? 2. What’s my timeline? 3. What’s the budget? 4. Who is my team? 5. What are their strengths?
chapterthree.com
NICA LORBERCreative Director & Web Strategist
THANK YOU
$ nicelobster
