Web to Client
Making the best use of the web for your particular business, whether selling a product, service or a concept, how the internet is best used for a particular need will vary.
Static/Dynamic Web
Depending on your business your web requirements may differ. The first distinction to establish is if you want to have a static or dynamic web site. Static is non intereactive usually using html, css and possibly some javascript. A dynamic web site re-acts with the users requests e.g. if someone wants to place an order, specify details and pay. In dynamic sites, page content and page layout are created separately. The content is retrieved from a database and is placed on a web page only when needed or requested. Though these sites are house in a html document alot of the code can be written in php and/or java and comunicates with a database. The difference between static and dynamic websites calls on differing skills within web design and web development both front and backend.
It is important to note search engines work by creating indexes of published HTML web pages that were, initially, "static". With the advent of dynamic web pages, often created from a private database, the content is less visible. A search may not find the information it is looking for. It is unreasonable to expect generalized web search engines to be able to access complex database structures, some of which in any case may be secure.
Content management systems (CMS)
Content management systems can be a effective way for certain businesses to run their web affairs, some of the more popular systems are Wordpress, Drupal and Joomla. Once set up these system can have an advantage in its ease of maintanence for non web experts. Content management systems are a collection of procedures used to manage work flow in a collaborative environment. These procedures can be manual or computer-based. The procedures are designed to do the following:
- allow for a large number of people to contribute to and share stored data,
- recommended topics,
- control access to data, based on user roles (defining which information users or user groups can view, edit, publish, etc.),
- aid in easy storage and retrieval of data,
- reduce repetitive duplicate input,
- improve the ease of report writing, and
- improve communication between users.
In a CMS, data can be defined as nearly anything: documents, movies, pictures, phone numbers, scientific data, and so forth. CMSs' are frequently used for storing, controlling, revising, semantically enriching, and publishing documentation. Serving as a central repository, the CMS increases the version level of new updates to an already existing file. Version control is one of the primary advantages of a CMS.
Apps
Mobile apps, are software applications, usually designed to run on smartphones and tablet computers. They are available through application distribution platforms which are typically operated by the owner of the mobile operating system, such as the App Store, Android Market, and BlackBerry App World. Usually they are downloaded from the platform to a target device such as an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android phone, but sometimes they can be downloaded to less mobile computers such as a laptops or desktops.
App solutions are generally split into two catergories, Downloadable and Web-based as the names suggest they will either be run from the phone or accessed online. Each have their specific advantages depending on how they are to be used.
The cost of developing an app can range from approx £1,500 (15,00 Sek) (1,750 Euro) to £5,000 (50,000 Sek) (5,500 Euro). There are numerous reasons for developing an app for specific organisations but possibly most prolifically it can be a maketing tool.
Mobile Phone / Laptop and Internet speed
When developing a new site for your business it is important to consider the varying mediums the site will be viewed from. Consider the target audience and whether they are more likly to browse from a phone, a laptop, a desktop or even a flatscreen.
There is some CCS(3) emerging to address this specific issue however it is still a little early for all browsers to implement this. A web site can be designed in different ways to fit different screens this is something worth considering assessing the design.
Social Media
Social media has emerged as a signifcant and powerful marketing tool and is propsed to increase in its importance in the following years. This subject is worth addressing thoroughly to ensure your business is utilising all of the benefits.
