1. Web Strategy - What it is and Why we need to care
The web has the potential to be the single most pervasive and transformative development in the
history of business. But only if we learn enough about that organization to see how it can be
applied.
As web professionals, you should know that when someone comes to you and say they want to
hire a web designer, what they really mean is that they need a web solution, which is way more
than making a "design". Yes, they're probably have no idea what they're asking for and they have
no clue that when they say they need a web design, they've got to have a lot of specific jobs to be
done.
By them asking you for the solution, you must be the expert, and be one! You have to get the idea
across - communicate, educate and illuminate them so that they'll understand all the tasks you're
performing or you're having performed by someone else on that project to deliver them that great
web solution. Know that an educated, engaged client is always a better client and a good benefit
to you.
Web strategy is about using knowledge of your client's business and your fresh perspective to find
opportunities that transform your client's business. It is selecting the right technologies to solve
problems and create opportunities by applying them with great design. It is not content strategy
and it is broader than that. It is a about leadership and the growth of our industry. It's about
seeing the whole picture within your clients organization and within your own group so that you
can help them see new possibilities through your lens of design and technology.
We're not just designers or developers, we are also consultants. We must understand the client's
business and see the things they can't. Use your knowledge of design and intimacy with
technology to truly transform the business and don't forget that clients are also users. We also
have to look at new ideas in business education and management design and strive for inspiration
and innovation that comes from looking outside of what we already knew.
Why we should care
At the end of the day, when you come back to the clients, and they are happy, you're gonna get
recommendations and more work. You're even more open to doing great work for the success of
each of your project. The progression in your field leads to greater acceptance/integration of web
design and technology throughout the client's/employer's business which tantamounts to more
opportunities.
Digital Organics: Web Design Sunshine Coast - 1/102 Howard Street, Nambour, QLD 4560 T 617 5476 3800, SEO Sunshine Coast
2. How we get there?
Education is the key in every level, whether it is structured or self-directed learning. Who could do
it? Anyone can do it but not necessarily for beginners other than in concept. It takes a few years
and enough experience with enough actual clients to see how interactions really work.
Integrating web strategies is ideal for those who have been working in the field for a number of
years. It's more suited to designers/design thinkers with aptitude for technology and business
rather than the other way around. Designers with a penchant for technology tend to have more
success with this kind of role than people who start off with technical background and start
learning design. There are exceptions to that but still creativity is a lot harder to teach than
technology.
Communication - if we can't get our ideas across, they don't exist. Think like a designer. Try to
look at business education programs and read books covering on that area. Talk to clients in a
language they understand. Innovation in business and design thinking are tremendously relevant
to what we do in the best web projects. Examine/understand how business works: open your eyes
and look across enterprise to see points of intersection - that's where the opportunities are to use
web technologies to create the greatest, most innovative solutions.
To wrap it up, define, embrace and espouse the role of web strategist which in turn leads to
needing classes to help develop those who seek to fill those roles. Later on, this creates a culture
that recognizes value of strategy and design in making most out of web technology on any
dehoweverice/platform in them most useful, usable ways, both within companies and with the
agencies they hire.
Digital Organics: Web Design Sunshine Coast - 1/102 Howard Street, Nambour, QLD 4560 T 617 5476 3800, SEO Sunshine Coast