Choosing a Project Manager

Changing project managers in mid-stream is just about guaranteed to cause changes and cost money. Try to get the right person to begin with.

This person needs to be capable of making decisions about web design, structure, and content, and conveying them clearly to the web team.

They should also:

  • have enough time to do the job
  • be available most working days
  • understand the website goals

Many web developers offer planning, strategy, and writing services. Others work regularly with consultants and agencies who offer this service. Ask for a recomendation if you don't have the right person on board.

Don’t drop the ball when the site goes live

The most successful sites are updated regularly, some daily. Your web design company can help you manage the site so that it continues to be successful. Ideally, your project manager will stay actively involved in the web management, or will hand this on to someone in your organisation who can spend time each week updating the web content, or liaising with the agency or web management company.

In the first months especially, check the performance of online forms.

While forms will have been tested when the site is launched, daily use of the data returned may show up things that need to be changed.

Check with the people who are receiving the emails to make sure everything is going smoothly.

It's essential to respond quickly to online inquiries, so make sure nothing is standing in the way of that happening. Make sure that:

  • inquiries are coming through
  • the format is easy to use
  • enquiries are followed up promptly
  • customer information is recorded and backed up

Continue to assess and improve the performance of the website