How to develop a Website

Website

The web aims to make information available, freely and in forms that are easily accessible (click and go information; multimedia options for accessing information and/or the option of collecting and/or providing feedback).

The web allows community groups, industry and government agencies to obtain information quickly, effectively, and at low cost, that will assist their members to undertake whatever tasks are needed to be done. Websites provide the chance to inform a wider range of people about issues, and to invite the website visitors to become involved in some way.

Method:

1. Contact a web designer, or find someone within the organisation with web design skills.
2. Discuss the 'architecture', all the levels of information, links and illustrations available and necessary to inform and engage the user.
3. Do some background research, web-surfing in your chosen area or field. Discover what works well on other websites, what they cover, what they omit, and use this information to improve your own website.
4. Trial the website before releasing it to the public. A bad experience with a website can mean people do not return. Ensure all links are working, and that the material scrolls smoothly with minimum delays.
5. Launch the website with suitable coverage in the media, in newsletters, and in a public forum
6. Ensure that you have alternative communication options for those who are not web-literate or do not have access to the web.
7. Place the website address on all correspondence and other printed material from the organisation.

Uses/strengths:

• Can provide publicity, information and limited public input
  
• Capable of reaching very large numbers with enormous amounts of information
  
• Offers a low cost way of distributing larger documents
  
• Offers a highly accessible forum for posting project updates

Special considerations/weaknesses:

• Many people still cannot access the web
  
• Many people are still not web literate
  
• Its success as a participatory tool is still relatively unknown
  
• Information overload and poor design can prevent people from finding what they need