Websites

The worldwide web has created a whole new way of communicating, reaching out to people around the globe as well as around the corner.The web is an incredibly rich source of information, a powerful tool for sharing knowledge.

Email and the Internet support day-to-day communication activities and many organisations also have their own website.These range from simple directory entries giving contact details to sophisticated sites which drive high-profile fundraising campaigns such as Red Nose Day.

However, large numbers of websites have also fallen into disuse, after promising features that were ‘coming soon’ in 1999 or offering news pages with one item that is three years old.Whatever your intention in creating a website you need to be realistic about how you will manage it: they don’t manage themselves and can quickly become out of date.

The costs and potential benefits of having a website must be weighed up as carefully as anything else that uses your resources.There are plenty of ways to get a website, and lots of things it can do once it’s there, but you must manage the process carefully and be clear about the ongoing commitment required.

A new medium may mean new users

The Samaritans discovered that moving their services on to the Internet was a good way of reaching young men, who don’t traditionally use the phone to ask for help but will use email to share their emotional problems. See their site at www.samaritans.org.uk

Types of website

There are four types of website

• Basic promotional sites
  This is who we are, this is what we do, this is how to get in touch
• Directories and online information resources
  Specialist information, stored in a directory so you can read it online, or available to download as fact sheets
• e-commerce and fundraising sites
  Buy something from us or donate money because you support our cause
• Networks, forums and other collaborative spaces
  Join in with what we do and feel part of our community – share in discussions on our email lists, read our bulletin board, post your opinions about what we do or comment on my blog.

As with any ICT, getting the right website depends on laying the groundwork: decide what you want your website to do before getting into too much detail about how it’s going to do it. Be clear about the potential benefits, and don’t ignore the total cost of ownership.

Working with a web designer

Whether paid for or not, a web designer will be responsible for:

• listening to what you say you need;
• advising on the best solution from a range of choices;
• preparing a site map of page structure and functions;
• creating the site using agreed templates, logos, colours and typefaces;
• adding any content that you supply, such as words and pictures;
• keeping the work within budget and on time, and delivering what has been agreed;
• providing regular progress reports;
• making it accessible to all web users;
• making it search engine-friendly;
• managing ongoing hosting arrangements.

As their client you are responsible for:

• being clear what the site is for and how it will meet your needs;
• setting a budget and timescale and monitoring these;
• listening to advice and acting on it, i.e. not necessarily agreeing with it, but not just ignoring it;
• getting the right people involved from your team;
• identifying design and related elements that must be incorporated;
• producing content such as words and pictures;
• checking progress and feeding back when asked;
• keeping the site up to date when it has been launched;
• asking for any help you need after the site is launched.

Ten things a website can do for you

You can use a website to:

• publicise services and campaigns, tell people what services you provide, why you do it, who they’re for and how to access them;
• provide information to support activists and mobilise support, such as online petitions;
• share information with your community and other networks any time of day. Information can be updated every month, every week or every ten minutes;
• publish up-to-date information and save on print and postage bills;
• improve services, because it is easier for people to make bookings, ask questions or submit payments;
• create interactive features such as bulletin boards and email forums that enable people to connect with each other, and encourage feedback about your services;
• enable people with special needs to access information online, ask questions and join in discussions via email and bulletin boards. Visually and hearing impaired people may join in online discussions more easily than in other forums;
• make new contacts, connect into new networks; become better known in your field;
• create and support local, national or global networks of people with common interests or needs;
• raise your profile and reach new audiences.