This paper examines essential best practices for managing organizational websites as dynamic, high-value assets. It outlines four core areas: the importance of perpetual management through designated oversight, user-centered design principles grounded in user experience (UX) frameworks, the benefits of involving end users in development, and the necessity of multi-device web design. The paper argues that websites must be treated as ongoing strategic initiatives rather than one-time projects, with careful attention to user needs, accessibility, and the growing diversity of access devices. By implementing these practices, organizations can create more effective, usable, and competitive web presences.
Websites have become an important component of nearly any organization. The content can be provided to customers externally or to employees internally to provide critical information and keep them abreast of changes. However, the content and design of a website must be managed effectively so that the site can serve as an effective tool in communication. An accurate, well-designed, and regularly updated website is one of the fastest ways to disseminate information among groups and is a necessity for most organizations in a competitive landscape. Thus it is critical to study best practices and apply them to the website management function in an organization at all times. This analysis will describe some of the main duties in website management.
One of the best practices in website management is keeping the content relevant by actively updating on an ongoing basis. One common misconception is that a website is a one-time project with a start and an end date. However, a website should be viewed from a holistic perspective as an extension of the organization. Websites are high-value assets and should be treated as such.
To keep the content fresh, it is necessary to designate a dedicated individual who can be responsible for the overall website. Even if different sections are delegated to other people or organizations, there should still be one person who is accountable for the entire site. Designating a single person can be invaluable for providing coordination of efforts, ensuring that the website follows a consistent structure or theme, and improving the organization and usability of the site. Without someone at the helm of the project, it is possible to lose sight of the overall design.
Many website designs seem to leave out one of the most important components in the equation: the end user. It is important to consider the usability of the website at all times and to look at the design from a user-centered perspective. Creating content that is not relevant to the end user could result in a website that is confusing and hard to use. Thus, considering the design from what the user will experience can help ensure the design provides a more effective and efficient experience for the end user.
User experience (UX) focuses on having a deep understanding of users, what they need, what they value, their abilities, and also their limitations; it also takes into account the business goals and objectives of the group managing the project. The UX best practices are thought to promote the quality of the user's interaction with the website and the perceptions of the content on it.
Consistent with the UX perspective, one idea to ensure that the end-user perspective is relevant is to involve users in the process from the beginning. Involving users early in projects helps you understand real-world accessibility issues, such as how people with disabilities and older people use the web with adaptive strategies and assistive technologies. Including the end users can provide insights into the different possible designs that would be best used by them. It can create a better product for the end users, which is also beneficial to all stakeholders.
You’re 58% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.