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Planning, Managing Web Sites and Web Site Projects
Within the Planning, Managing Web Sites and Web Site Projects section you'll find helpful annotated links to articles, tutorials, tools, and more related to planning Web sites, managing Web site projects, and managing sites long term. You'll also find a listing of recommended books on Web project management.
Do you have favorite articles, tutorials, books, or resources related to Web site planning, Web project management, long-term maintenance, and related topics? Recommendations are welcome and encouraged!
On this page:
Articles and Tutorials on Web Site Planning, Project Management, Long-Term Management
Planning a Web Site
- Before Launching Your SEO Campaign: Questions to ask yourself before going live
The title might seem a bit misleading - while it does cover important things to do prior to launching your SEO campaign, the article covers key points to consider when planning a Web site, from determining the site's purpose, target audience, your budget, requirements needed for your site, time planning, and more. [Article/tutorial dated 04/01/2005, by Kalena Jordan, for SEO Today.] - The Company Website Crash Course
Good overview of the basics of planning a Web site - typical company Web site content, how to structure a Web site, intuitive navigation, site search, how to write page titles, choosing keywords and descriptions. [Article/tutorial dated 12/19/2001, by Nick Wilson, for SitePoint.] - FAQs: Planning Your Web Site
Helpful, concise outline on what to keep in mind with planning and managing a Web site. Geared for potential Web site owners, designers, developers. [Article/tutorial last updated 08/2005, by Shirley Kaiser, SKDesigns.] - Goal-Oriented Design
Helpful easy-to-understand tutorial series on why Web site goals matter, how to figure out and set goals for your Web site project, understanding your users' goals (who will be visiting your site and why), win-win solutions, using personas, and more. Examples and case studies along the way. [Tutorials by Ben Hunt, Web Design from Scratch.] - Planning Your Website
Incredibly thorough series of tutorials on planning your website. Individual tutorials in this series cover project management: use pencil and paper, write a one-sentence summary, make an outline, make a flow-chart, draw sketches, write a design document, make back-ups, structure your files logically, use templates, learn HTML 4 and CSS, choose the right tool; user-centered design, site and page design, the home page, the personal page, the politics of linking, navigation strategies, small is beautiful, example: a redesigned web page, writing strategies, misc. good practices; testing. Very well done. [Article/tutorial by Bart Everson, for the Center for the Advancement of Teaching.] - Preparing and Planning a Web Site Using Dreamweaver
“Planning for a new Web site involves understanding in two key areas: knowledge of the applications you will be using (the logical side), and knowledge of what direction you want to take this new Web project (the creative side). The authors of Dreamweaver CS3 On Demand show you how to do both.” Topics cover: Begin with a Plan, Create a Visual Mind Map, Create Sample Page Sketches, Generate a Timeline, Assemble the Site, Create a Marketing Plan, Create a Storyboard, Create a Site Local Root Folder. This tutorial is a chapter excerpt from Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 On Demand, by Andy Anderson, Steve Johnson, Perspection Inc. [Article/tutorial dated 09/07/2007, by Andy Anderson, Steve Johnson, Perspection Inc., for InformIT.] - Site Planning, the Red-Headed Stepchild of the Web
[Article/tutorial dated 06/20/2001, by Ben Henick, for Digital Web.] - The Website Development Process
Fantastic article with amazingly creative photos of the Web site development process. Great points made with these well done photos. [Article/tutorial dated 12/05/2005, by Koji Ito, PingMag.]
Web Site Project Management
- Use Cases Part II: Taming Scope
Article on how simplified use cases can help to understand and manage project scope. Includes mapping scope boundaries, exploring scope options, expanding scope, controlling complexity, and more. Helpful charts along the way, too. [Article/tutorial dated 03/02/2005, by Norm Carr, Tim Meehan, for A List Apart.] - What's the Problem?
Potential problems, strategies to avoid them, working with clients, delivering projects on time. Article introduces the ways in which simple use cases can help describe a Web site's purpose and goals. Good insight, helpful article. [Article/tutorial dated 01/25/2005, by Norm Carr, Tim Meehan, for A List Apart.]
Managing a Web Site Long-Term
- Top Ten Mistakes of Web Management
Problems with site purpose, navigation structure, mismanaged outsourcing, lack of budget for ongoing site maintenance, treating the Web as secondary, wasting linking opportunities, not treating the Internet and Intranets differently, confusing market research with usability engineering, lack of understanding for the strategic impact of the Web, and more. Despite the 1997 date, this article still rings true (sadly!). [Article dated 06/1997, by Jakob Nielsen, useit.com.]
Web Sites or Web Site Sections Devoted to Planning, Managing Web Sites, Web Site Project Management
- Planning
Section at Digital Web devoted to planning a Web site or planning various aspects of a Web site (planning CSS, design, scalability, more) [Articles/tutorials via Digital Web.] - Process: Web Site Project Management
Section at A List Apart with nearly thirty (and growing) articles and tutorials on managing Web site projects. [Articles/tutorials via A List Apart.] - Site Planning
Section at SitePoint on planning a Web site, and includes a wide range of articles and tutorials on topics to keep in mind when planning a Web site. [Articles/tutorials via SitePoint.] - Cyndi's Genealogy Homepage Construction Kit
Covers all the basics of planning, creating, and long-term site management, with links to resources, tools, and more. [Resource by Cyndi Howells, Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet.]
Tools for Web Site Planning, Project Management
Online Project Management, Collaboration Software
- dotProject
Free open-source software (installed to your Web server) especially suited for collaborative projects. Some of its features include: user management, email based trouble ticket system, (integrated voxel.net's ticketsmith), client/company management, project listings, hierarchical task list, file repository, contact list, calendar, discussion forum, resource based permissions, and more. Has good reputation. [dotProject.]
Online Project Management, Collaboration Tools
Subscribe online to these project management and collaboration tools.
- Basecamp
Highly regarded online collaboration, project management tool. Some of its features include: assign to-dos and tasks, post messages and gather feedback, simple scheduling and permissions, share files internally or with clients, track people's time, milestones and their completion, and more. Free for single small projects, monthly fee-based subscriptions that includes file-sharing and much more. [Online tool created by 37signals, LLC..]
Project Management Software
- Microsoft Project
Several versions available depending on your needs. [Software by Microsoft.]
See also WebsiteTips.com's Web Site Resources
Tools for links to more helpful tools related to Web design and development.
Recommended Books on Web Site Planning, Management, Web Project Management
- Deliver First Class Web Sites: 101 Essential Checklists
By Shirley Kaiser. Published by SitePoint Books, July 2006. In addition, all those who purchase the book have special access to downloadable, printable checklists to use for all your projects. More information: Companion Site for Deliver First Class Web Sites: 101 Essential Checklists, author's Web site: SKDesigns.
Also on Web Site Planning, Management, Web Project Management
Read short reviews and find more book recommendations on Web site-related topics in our Recommended Books, Software section!
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