out of date Only people with programming skills could do any advanced updates Lack of metadata, explanations Not optimized for search engines or basic accessibility guidelines People just can't find things!
your goals for them? User stories for each? Do you have peer institutions? Identify likes and dislikes of each's web presence What resources can you devote to this project? Will these resources be provided short-term or continuously? Do you have caveats such as software or network or access requirements?
stakeholders, present synthsized results for review to each (conflicts?) Ask your customers or visitors for feedback! For technical feasibility studies, record information about current visitor capablities Make sure you include anyone who might speak with a website visitor (perhaps later on the phone when filling a phone order, etc)
and what in the future? What does your research show is missing from your current website that your visitors want? What kinds of technology can your visitors support (Flash, JavaScript, etc)? Consider a style guide and commit to a single visual style, writing style, word usage (check AP Style for email, E mail, e-Mail) Where will you host your site? Will you have minimum requirements for access?
is critical for a happy user Recognize that people have feelings about your website and your visual design Recognize that your website also has a personality and behavior Do user expectations match the way your website looks and behaves?
Inserting content Final product Now keep doing it! Avoid looking like spam or ad content Keep critical info above the fold Keep it simple Segment to create flow and momentum Users will give up
database driven, standards based(!) RSS feeds with current news, no more surprise links, a lot more metadata about each page, version control for content and files, redirect all old addresses, daily validation of spelling, accessibility, standards 1000 more unique visitors per month (20% more), 1100 more page views (15% more)
with your institution for requirements on accessibility, graphical standards, and privacy policies that may affect you See resources for user interface advice, technical standards, and tools Most importantly: Involve your stakeholders and your expected visitors!