White Paper: Developing an Effective Web Strategy

Being on the Web is an essential part of doing business in the 21st century (regardless of whether you operate in the public, private, or not-for-profit sector). The big decision for most organizations is how to get there. Efficiency, reliability, and affordability are major considerations best weighed before your Web effort gets underway.

This paper provides a roadmap for planning a Web effort. Along with suggestions for prioritizing objectives so they reflect organizational needs, budgets, and constraints, it addresses key issues such as whether to use in house or external resources, what to look for in a hosting service, when to consider an Application Service Provider (ASP), and the pros and cons of custom and template-based development strategies.

It also includes a discussion of one of the more important – if overlooked – aspects of Web development: content management.

Content management involves creating, editing, and updating the content (text, images, audio, and video elements) that makes a site attractive to current and potential users.

Content management systems (CMS) provide a workaround for avoiding the Webmaster bottleneck. Many organizations rely on CMS to overcome the challenges of maintaining a vibrant, engaging Web presence. It's likely this technology will play a significant role in your migration online.

The key to an effective Web strategy is determining which CMS will be most efficient, effective, and affordable for your organization. Successful CMS solutions include crucial features (such as a defined editorial process, workflow, distributed communications, and automated placement) for overcoming the challenges of operating in a Web environment.

Reviewing this paper will provide you with essential criteria for making the most appropriate Web choices for your immediate and long-term needs.