New Site Checklist
This information is based on Hawaiʻi’s New Site Checklist.
Before we can do our work, we need you to do yours. We have expertise in designing Web sites, but you are the experts about your agency and your constituents or customers. To design an effective site, we need to know more about what your agency does, who your Web site will serve, and what your goals are for the site.
The following questions may help you organize your thoughts and begin brainstorming ideas for your new web site. Before you begin, be sure to identify your project team, especially the project leader who will organize and drive the project and communicate decisions. It is also important to identify the individual(s) who will ultimately be responsible for the site’s maintenance upon its completion. With your project team, please complete the following questionnaire.
It may be helpful to supplement with marketing materials, brochures, a current logo, or sample content. There are many other information-gathering tasks that your project team can be working on during this planning phase that will be very helpful and are best completed before HIC begins work on the project. If you do complete any of these tasks, please provide a copy of the notes, data, or information to your HIC team.
For Redesigns
Other Helpful Planning Tips
Post an online survey on your current site and start collecting user feedback and suggestions.
If you have ready access to one of your key audience groups, consider surveying them or conducting a focus group to determine how a Web site could best meet their needs. Survey (formally or informally) your “front-line” staff. The folks who answer the phones and deal with general email can be a treasure-trove of information about what kinds of frequent questions and requests your agency is receiving.
Gather your project team and (1) explore your current Web site and try to think from your typical user’s perspective, (2) visit the Web sites of similar agencies in other states and note what you like and don’t like. It’s okay to borrow ideas!