the iterative web

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THE ITERATIVE WEB getting where from here? a what-to starter guide

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A starter guide to re-evaluating your web strategy. Developed for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Conference.

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Page 1: The Iterative Web

THE ITERATIVE WEBgetting where from here?

a what-to starter guide

Page 2: The Iterative Web

WHERE TO BEGIN?

Page 3: The Iterative Web

A LITTLE GUIDANCE

It’s easy to jump to the how of building and maintaining a website.

Start with the who, what, and why.

Page 4: The Iterative Web

who is your audience?

what are their abilities?

why are they using (or not) your website?

audience

Page 5: The Iterative Web

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Accessibility includes everything from connection speed, to language, to user agent (browser, etc.), to user abilities...

The most important role of visual design on a website is usability.

Approach your content from the perspective of the reader, not the publisher.

Page 6: The Iterative Web

who are the sources of your content?

what do you have to publish/share?and, what is the frequency of change?

why do you make this content available?and, why do you make it available on the web?

content

Page 7: The Iterative Web

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Consider your content as discrete units of data. What kinds of content do you have, and what pattern does each follow? One-size-fits-all content management fits none.

Not everything needs to be on your website.

While your website may encourage engagement, that engagement doesn’t need to happen on your website.

Page 8: The Iterative Web

who maintains your website?

what are your constraints?

why do you use the tools you use?

process

Page 9: The Iterative Web

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Be realistic about the time investment required to manage content. Implemented tools are often under-utilized.

There is a business case for having an ongoing maintenance budget. Maintaining is cheaper than building.

Use existing services (SaaS) where possible. Benefits include increased accessibility and little (or no) maintenance costs.

Use software and services that grant you an open license. Publish your content using a Creative Commons license or release it into the public domain.

Page 10: The Iterative Web

NOW WHAT?

Page 11: The Iterative Web

MENTAL PREPARATION

Technology will help you achieve usability, accessibility, managing content, etc.

A shift in how people think of the web and their content/data is required for technology to implement the larger vision.

Page 12: The Iterative Web

...letting go...

Page 13: The Iterative Web

Yes, you have to say it.

Page 14: The Iterative Web

...letting go...

Page 15: The Iterative Web

LETTING GO OF WHAT?

assumptions about user abilities, user needs and what your website should be

ownership of

content and editorial ability (you are part of an ecosystem)

control based on personal preferences and vision

Page 16: The Iterative Web

WHY LET GO?

Increased relevancy

Better access, user engagement and participation

More efficient budgetary spend

Page 17: The Iterative Web

TOWN MEETING DAY 2009

Letting go of ownership and editorial control generates participation (creates a commons)

Packaging simple concepts adds value (tagging, aggregation)

Specific learnings:http://bradley-holt.blogspot.com/2009/03/tmd-vt-social-media-recap.html

tmdvt.netTagged content was aggregated from social media sites around Town Meeting Day Vermont '09. Contributors included: individual citizens, Vermont Public Radio, Seven Days, Vermont Community Access Media, CCTV Channel 17, Burlington Free Press

Page 18: The Iterative Web

simplicity has value

Page 19: The Iterative Web

iterative improvements are effective and efficient

Page 20: The Iterative Web

focus on the goals, not the technology