Managing a website project can feel overwhelming, especially for busy business owners juggling multiple responsibilities. With so many moving parts – from design and development to content creation and launch – it can be easy to miss crucial deadlines. However, with the right strategies in place, you can transform this challenging journey into a streamlined process that drives real results.
In this blog, we share eight essential tips for successful website project management. Whether you’re launching a new site or revamping an existing one, our tips will empower you to take charge and ensure your web project runs smoothly from start to finish.
1. Arrange a project start meeting
To make sure everyone is on the same page right from the start is to arrange a project start meeting. This allows you to take time to talk about the design and feel of your website, your aims and objectives, and work out any potential deadlines. It’s also a great way to identify who will be responsible for certain tasks during the project.
During the meeting, you should encourage open communication and allow all team members to voice their ideas, concerns, and expectations. This not only helps identify potential issues early on but also fosters a sense of ownership among everyone involved.
After your meeting, it’s wise to draw up a ‘Project Scope’ which outlines all the details of your website project such as a design plan, technical specifications, milestones, and other details that might get forgotten about such as logos, images, and content for example.
2. Be honest with your design
When it comes to the design of your site, you should always be honest and voice your opinions. If you like something or don’t, or if you’ve got specific ideas on what you’d like to see, you should say something now before it’s too late.
But remember, you can’t please everyone and you have to consider what best serves both your site’s objectives and user experience, and this may mean acknowledging limitations on certain aspects such as technical or functional capabilities for example.
Being transparent allows you to set realistic expectations with stakeholders and team members alike, and creates an environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and can be put into practice. A clear vision that is grounded with honesty can lead to a more effective final product that resonates with users.
3. Create sitemaps and wireframes
Creating sitemaps and wireframes is a crucial step in managing a website project successfully. A sitemap acts as a blueprint for your website and outlines the structure and organisation of your content. This helps to ensure that all necessary pages are included and logically arranged. It’s typically based on the goals and objectives of your site, as well as appropriate keywords.
Wireframes on the other hand, serve as a visual guide that shows the layout of each webpage. It focuses on functionality and user experience without getting bogged down with design elements. This really helps to ensure that the journey for your users is effective and that they can reach their end goal quickly, whilst having as much relevant information as possible presented to them.
Creating these documents helps to clarify your vision for the site and can significantly reduce the chances of costly revisions later on in your project. Think of sitemaps and wireframes as your project’s roadmap – they’ll keep you on track and help everyone involved understand how to navigate toward success.
4. Always design and develop mobile-first
Designing and developing your website mobile-first cannot be over-stated. According to Statistica, over 60 million people in the UK alone use a mobile device to browse the internet. This highlights just how important it is to get the mobile journey right.
Search engines like Google index mobile websites over desktop, so you should prioritise the design of your site for mobile devices before adapting it for desktops. This not only ensures a seamless user experience on smaller screens, but can also significantly enhance engagement.
Aim to use responsive design elements to create a visually appealing layout that functions well across all devices. Remember that mobile users are often on-the-go and expect quick access to information, so you should also optimise your page load speeds and make sure your content is easily accessible.
5. Prepare your content and images
Content is a common pitfall of website project management as it’s often forgotten or not taken seriously. Well-crafted content not only enhances your site’s appeal but also plays a vital role in engaging your visitors and boosting your SEO efforts.
Once you’ve created your sitemap, you should make as much time as possible to compile the content for your webpages. Start by outlining the key messages you want to communicate and ensure they align with your overall goals and target audience. As well as that, be sure to choose high-quality and relevant images to go with your content as this also contributes to a positive user experience.
Having all your content and images ready for the final deadline of your web project will allow you to stay on track, meaning you can get your new website out to your audience on time as planned.
6. Test every element of your site
When your site build is coming to the final stages, it’s crucial to test every element to ensure all functions are working as they should to provide an optimal user experience. You can start by checking all links take users to the correct pages as broken links can frustrate visitors and harm your site’s credibility.
Be sure to also check that your forms are working correctly by completing test submissions to not only make sure you receive them fine, but also your visitors’ expectations are met with successful communication with your brand. You should also ensure you have the correct tracking set up on your forms so you can keep an eye on conversions.
As well as this, you should also check your site across different devices and browsers to make sure it functions and displays well in various scenarios, as inconsistent experiences can drive potential customers away. Pay attention to load times too – if you spot any slow loading pages, go back and optimise them to avoid users leaving your site before they’ve completed their goal.
7. Train relevant team members
Training relevant team members on your content management system (CMS) is something that often comes after your new site has launched, but it’s still an important part of managing a web project. With a well-trained team, you can reduce the likelihood of errors on your site.
Choose who will be responsible for updating and maintaining the site and provide them with comprehensive training that covers basic functionalities, best practices, and troubleshooting tips of your chosen CMS. Make sure they understand their responsibilities on the site and encourage them to ask questions if they’re unsure.
When you take the time to provide training, your team will feel confident in completing their duties which in turn leads to a much smoother project execution and long-term success of your website.
8. Don’t forget about ongoing digital marketing
When your new site is ready to launch, you want to launch it with a bang and ensure it continues to thrive long after. That’s where digital marketing comes in. Crafting a robust digital marketing strategy can help drive traffic, which massively enhances your visibility and engagement long after your site goes live.
Some tactics you can incorporate include creating regular content, such as blogs or videos, that speaks directly to your audience’s needs and interests, and implementing SEO techniques, such as technical or on-page SEO, to improve your search engine rankings and organic traffic.
As well as that, utilising social media marketing to engage with your audience, creating and sending regular email marketing campaigns to share special offers, and investing in PPC advertising not only further amplifies your reach, but it can also help convert first-time buyers into loyal customers.
Want us to manage your web project?
Website project management is no mean feat and if you’re looking to manage your web project efficiently, partnering with an experienced agency, like Fifteen, can make all the difference.
At Fifteen, we have a wealth of experience in managing website projects successfully for a multitude of clients across various industries. We’ll work closely with you every step of the way – from initial planning and wireframing to final launch and ongoing support. Our approach is to support you throughout the process and our expertise guarantees no detail is overlooked.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or refreshing an existing site, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today and let us take the reins on your web project.
