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Web Maintenance-Get The Bigger Picture !!!
By Sarvadarshi Rajgrihar
The standard connotation of the phrase 'Web Maintenance' is frustratingly limiting. In most cases, these two words are taken to mean small (usually textual) updates to the website content whenever required, and ensuring that the site remains up and running. Because of this perception, it is understandably treated as a lower order function, lacking importance and criticality. But now… it's time to get the bigger picture.
For starters, one must understand how the Web has evolved in recent times, especially in the corporate sphere. From being one of many communication channels, the website has assumed the role of a core channel. It is acknowledged as being the first interactive communication medium – one that functions on a 24 by 7 basis. It delivers global reach with unmatched cost-effectiveness. And it has the informative power of the print medium combined with the dynamism of the audio-visual medium.
Much of the importance currently accorded to websites stems from the expectations of the users. Since websites facilitate real time updates, users expect it to contain current information. Obsolescence is tolerated in brochures and other printed material, but not in websites. Hence, a far more dynamic approach is demanded when it comes to maintaining a website.
At i-Strat, we have superseded the typical narrow restricted outlook with regard to website maintenance. The challenges posed by the dynamic environment and demanding users call for a more broad-based approach. Hence, our concept of Web Maintenance encompasses the following functions.
Updates
Web users have started treating company websites as their first point of reference for all corporate information. Thus, they expect it to reflect the latest facts, figures and events. This means that a critical aspect of the maintenance function is to ensure that all changes in terms of textual, graphic, photographic, video, audio and data content are uploaded at the earliest. The person or organisation in charge of this function should have a clearly defined process in place — with responsibilities for all parties allocated well in advance.
Optimisation
The need for time-bound updates notwithstanding, it is equally important to optimise all content to ensure quick, smooth downloads. The update cannot happen at the cost of site efficiency. Hence, it is important for all teams — development, graphic design, animators, video editors, etc — to coordinate with each other in accordance with a predetermined plan of action.
Monitoring
Websites are accessible on a round-the-clock basis. They must, therefore, be monitored regularly to check uptime, speed of download, blind/broken links, non-loading images, non-working functionalities, etc. The function involves having dedicated "watchers" to monitor the site regularly and report on glitches, if any.
Content Management
The best planned Web initiatives usually run out of steam because of lack of content. We've seen this happen time and time again. That's why we offer content management solutions that are tailor-made to suit the precise requirements of our clients. Our methodology entails structured interactions with the client to obtain the requisite raw content, after which our specialist writers and content aggregators start creating the content. Where raw content is not available with the client, our team is geared to collate the content through research and interaction with Subject Matter Experts.
Server Statistics Analysis & Reporting
The Web is the only medium that can provide detailed metrics on site usage patterns: number of visitors, number of page views, duration of user sessions, most visited pages, least visited pages, etc. An analysis of these stats provides a clear roadmap for managing and upgrading the website, giving the site owner valuable insights into what visitors are looking for, what they are unable to find, their browsing patterns, popular and unpopular sections of the site, and so on. At i-Strat, we specialise in developing customised applications for generating reports that facilitate decision-making and action with regard to updates, upgrades and structural changes in websites. Based on these reports, our clients can make decisions that are based on hard facts instead of gut feel and rule-of-thumb measures.
Search Engine Optimisation
Most people look upon this as an altogether separate function, more so because it is a complex and specialised activity. However, given the contemporary trends in Web browsing and search engine usage, and the growing competition in the Web space, we see it as a compulsion. Hence, it forms an integral part of our extended outlook on Web maintenance.
Evolution Planning
A website is one of the most dynamic information and communication channels. It needs to change almost continuously to meet the expectations of its users. It needs to evolve to the next level. This evolution is based on various factors — the requirements and expectations of the users, the competitive environment, the usage trends extrapolated from the server statistics, changes within the business, new products and services being launched, etc.
At i-Strat, we track and study our clients' websites as an ongoing initiative, and plan their evolution on a quarterly basis. Then, leveraging our experience in the Web business (spanning more than a decade) and combining it with extensive research, benchmarking and analysis, we put the plan into action, implementing the evolution strategy on behalf of the client. It is a 360° service addressing all the client's Web-related issues in a holistic manner.
Ref:-http://www.istrat-india.com
About the Author
This news release is entirely a personal opinion. It should not be misconstrued as an advice.
For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a sample, copy or demo),
contact:- sarvadarshi@nmicro.com
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