After reading this article I feel more prepared and motivated to pursue my original long time plans in sharp contrast to the older generation (my father-in-law), that don’t understand nor believe in the Net. So hopefully; by the time me and my lady are taking over, (may it come soon!), we’ll have a well working site.
swed

There is a great article over at UIE.com called "Thinking in the Right Terms: 7 Components for a Successful Web Site Redesign."
Definitely worth a read if you are considering a re-design or handle re-designs for your clients.
~Nicole
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This applies to both individual use of the web and corporate use.

For example, its hard for companies to focus on a “core” and often they try and be everything to everyone.

Gerry is definately right, most Marketing people have designed brochures and magazines before and try to translate that process to web redesign which doesn’t work. Some web design and development experience in the team is very important, although that one person will have a tough job convincing the others.

What I find most interesting about web design is that everyone thinks they are an expert because they ‘use’ the internet. We should be thankful the same people dont translate that to piloting a plane- “yeah, I can fly the plane, I’ve been on a plane heaps of times”…..

I agree that the critical starting point is the purpose and vision of the website relative to the organizational strategy, second is understanding the user, and this involves observing the user as well as using the web analytics to track user behavior. One effective tool we use at the very start is a visitor’s first impression, it becomes very evident very quickly the visitors perception of the purpose of the website and potential target users. When matched to what the designers intended, you get some very interesting discussions. This approach seems to help re-orienting both the design and management team to focus on the customers perspective.

The inital comment is about the lack of prepared’ness’/understanding of the team. I couldn’t agree more, but I see these more as design strategies, and not necessarily the activities you need to get an inexperienced team into a “web ready” state.

I guess as someone who has been involved with a number these types of projects but mostly with inexperienced teams, I’d be really interested in what you’d suggest to actually prepare the team, as opposed to preparing for the process.

Often teams see it as a “cosmetic job” - just adding a new skin to an old problem.

Also we have seen the *turf battles* start on what the web site should be to the stakeholders involved and less about the vision. It becomes about people internally wanting to be right as opposed to all holding onto a shared approach.

A lot to be said about getting people onto the same page.

Point 1 on vision is certainly a key strategy that we work on with our clients from day one. For instance we are working with one of our clients, the UK’s largest group of privately owned dental laboratories, to provide them with a full online account management facility for their 3000+ dental customers which will be an industry 1st. The system will provide full job tracking facilities from launch, and further developments will allow samples and approvals to be communicated online compared to the current system of physically having to approve dentures and other dental work carried out.

Along with this client we strive to work with very much forward thinking businesses, so with ourselves supporting them with the long-term online strategy, as has been pointed out our clients gain considerable business impact from the online channel (and competitive advantage).

Another great article!