Last week, I wrote about the six elements of a great Web Site proposal. Work doesn't end with the proposal, though. You still have to:
- decide who is responsible for the day-to-day workings of the Web site, and
- develop a list of questions for the developers you'll interview.
Who's in Charge?
Someone has to be responsible for the day-to-day workings of the Web site. In the case of a bricks-and-mortar business that is using the Internet as another way to provide products and services, the person should:
- make decisions on content,
- have access to the president of the company,
- share authority on technology implementation,
- have expertise in marketing, and
- understand the company's overall strategic business goals.
Right now, I am in the process of building a Web site for a financial-service business that I have launched with a partner. I have initially taken on the role of Web site leader because I developed the site plan; because I am a writer, I'm developing the content. For most companies, the Web site leader would oversee a group that develops the content and does the programming.
When you are hiring a Web site leader, here are some skills that person needs to possess.
Technology expertise: This person should be up on the latest content management tools and programming language to increase the speed of delivery, reduce the amount of future developers' involvement and make sure the site is scalable.
Attention to details: It is essential that the leader be detailed-oriented and have a good quality-control process. You don't want to find out after the site goes live that there are spelling and programming errors.
Organization: There are a lot of moving parts to the Web site, from the writers to the developers to people in other departments, such as marketing and sales, who all want their say. I once worked with a bank that had someone representing the CEO, the CFO, the VP of sales, the VP of marketing, the VP of human resources and the CIO at the meeting. The Web leader needs to be able to coordinate everything.
Marc Kramer
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