20 Items Which Made Our Website Launch Successful

It’s been a few weeks since we launched our new website.   Over that time, I’ve had time to reflect on the main things which made the project successful.  Let me share with you some of the key elements I believe made our project successful and hopefully these will help make yours as equally as successful.

1. ·         Primary Goal – trying to make a website “all things to all people” is a noble thought but impossible to delivery.  Focus on what is your primary goal and drive your resources to the solution of that goal.
2. ·         Internal Requirements -- get requirements across your organization.  From executives to customer service, etc.   
3. ·         Prioritize – you will not meet everyone’s requirements.  Target getting 80% of your total requirements completed.  Then put the rest in the backlog for future development.
4. ·         Customer Requirements – get feedback from customers on what they need and want from a website.  At the end of the day, you need to ensure you make the site based on their requirements as well.
5. ·         Technology – if you are going to continue to use your current web technology and CMS ensure you have the latest version.  If you’re looking at new technology, go through a rigorous review and procurement process.
6. ·         Partners –  let your agencies, tech teams, vendors, etc. on board with the project.  They should be treated as partners and respected as such.
7. ·         Sponsorship – get someone at the Executive level to be your sponsor.  They will be a help to bounce ideas off of and assist with issues.
8. ·         Design – provide clear requirements on the brand, what you expect, etc.  Get 5 or more creative examples to review.  You will probably like components scattered across many of them.  This will lead you to your final design.  Also, get all of your photography, fonts, etc. licensed.
9. ·         Testing – I like to use an Agile development and testing process… make sure you find one that allows you to test on an ongoing basis.
10. ·         People – you will need top quality people to pull this project off.  Get folks from multiple areas with different skillsets.
11. ·         Process – use a clear process and tracking program.  Scrum is probably the best way to achieve success.  Get yourself an aggressive Scrum Master.
12. ·         Responsibilities – give everyone clear responsibilities and expectations.
13. ·         Outsource – I prefer to outsource these types of projects to very qualified partners.  Getting experts who can work on the project full time and without interruption.
14. ·         Definition of Success -- what and how will you define the project is successful.  Make it clear and communicate it frequently.
15. ·         Resources – get the resources you need before the project starts.  But guess what… you won’t get them.  Live with it.  Get them along the way but make it clear that without them you will not achieve success.  And be vocal when you’re not getting them.
16. ·         Alignment – ensure you are aligned with your IT and development team.  They are your biggest ally.  They need to be your true partner.  Don’t take this lightly…
17. ·         Communications – communicate to the top and to the bottom and everyone in between.  And do it on a frequent basis.  You don’t want to surprise anyone and ensuring everyone knows the good, the bad and the ugly will help overtime.
18. ·         Training – train those who will be utilizing the software and systems.  Give them the tools, the brand/writing guidelines, the do’s and don’ts, etc.
19. ·         One Throat to Choke – someone has to make the final decisions and take the responsibility for when things go sideways.  It’s the lightening rod for any issues or complaints. 
20. ·         Recognize Success – celebrate… give out rewards, write those thank you notes, ensure people get recognition with management and within the organization.

Now this list is by no means complete.  Good luck and I hope the above helps a bit.

Scott