Project Management Key to Good Web Development

No matter how many web sites you develop, coordinating all the tasks and gathering content remains a challenge. Business owners don’t realize the value they gain by working with a web developer to create a new web site or blog. Given my technology background, project management should be intuitive, but it took my new developer, Kim Beasley, to remind me that writing down the steps is the best way to organize the tasks. A good web developer is worth the investment, from project management to knowing where to find the tools you need to integrate.

Business owners should consider their web developer a business partner. They know what is possible technically, and you as the business owner can stay focused on your target audience (customers and prospective customers), the value you have to offer them and your business objectives for creating the site. The tension between developer and business owner provides a great check and balance on what gets implemented.

Given the interaction between function and content, a solid project plan is critical to completing a web site on schedule and staying within budget. Kim Beasley, Pro Member Services, does an excellent job at laying out the project steps and hilighting all the decisions and content I need to provide at each step. Together, Kim and I are building the new web sites (one for home owners, one for home profesisonals) that will enable me to launch the new Association of Home Professionals. Kim’s expertise in membership web sites, Word Press anything and SEO are invaluable toools to help me achieve my business goals of connecting home owners and home professionals in possitive, win-win relationships.

Not to be forgotten, I have to also say thanks to Darren Rowse at ProBlogger. He is currently running a 31 day course, 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. It was today’s lesson, Pay Special Attention to a Reader, that prompted me to recognize my web developer. My thanks to Darren!