Building a global online network between different actors in particular nonprofit organizations can be a difficult task. While technical considerations are important, contrary to popular belief, the main challenges have less to do with technology rather than dealing with human emotions.
While working for the UN in 2002, I visited three companies are operating in the websites of first class: Eldis, OneWorld.net and SciDev.net. Each had a reputation for good news, editing, quality, knowledge, and buzz-especially online communities. The purpose of my mission was to study the secrets of their success attributed to our organization through the process of developing our own project world wide web. After three days of meetings, the increase in bills of quantities and specifications, cooked all our discussions to just eight simple principles are summarized below.
First start with people, not technology. Begin to form good relationships with strategic stakeholders, actors and institutions. It is important that potential partners have a strong sense of commitment and loyalty to the project. After relations were established, then the next step is increasingly on the Web project and technical problems. Something or vice versa, a very risky approach for a fantastic site and check back later to get the partner may not understand what they were adhering to “your” web project.
Second, invest, either centralized or decentralized trust. Trust is the main currency of effective relationships online, which allows site operators to post information quickly and safely for hours on end without checking every detail. Building trust in relationships allows site administrators to invest in the trust at different points along a continuum between the central, decentralized and expanded. For example, may rely centrally placed in an editor, an editorial or decentralized through a broad network of partners (which was pre-screening). Securities Trust, a Web project is the speed of treatment, risks and opportunities for growth. In other words, entertainment, faith, like a crane, but can handle centralized trusted networks only a small amount of credibility of data, but less risk. If the networks can rely on decentralized treatment of many large amounts of data, but they run a higher risk for errors as incorrect or distribution of copyrighted material.
Thirdly, the strengthening of global networks on local ownership. The recipe for achieving a regional content is relevant and meaningful local ownership and editorial independence. Although it is very valuable for the development of local content, the decision to delegate the autonomy of local publishers and / or technical personnel more involved in strategic management, political, economic, confidence and quality factors of content .
Fourth, determine your position between quality and quantity. As the same editorial, an editorial capacity, or process certain items of content or quality of many elements of low quality content. The point between quality and quantity of the frequency of visits by users (frequent publications) and content) the effects of credibility (material. Most businesses prefer a large number of top-process web content quality and not a problem as unlimited money and resources. Provided, however, in the real world of limited resources, can process more convincing reasons for the elements of poor quality content instead of a few good works, or Vice versa, depending on the mission of the Web project and target groups.
Fifth: Find your place among the narrow and outdated or loose and lively. On the continuum between ultra-tough and ultra-publishing and bulk standards of web design, there are a number of clinical and chaotic. A site with too much control can be boring, dull and unattractive to the masses. But the same can be confusing with lots of creativity. Achieving a dynamic website with mass success is to create the right balance between high standards, but allows the spontaneity and creativity.
Sixth, the establishment of standards external to your needs. To maintain editorial consistency and technique, may be easier to adopt standards and change if necessary. For editorial standards, the Associated Press and offer a good Economist Style Guide. For technical standards, there are different standards of programming to choose from. Standards and allowed employees to learn by themselves, reduce dependence on executive officers, gave them a leader if you have any doubts, and contribute to the issues to be raised to identify with their superiors.
Seventh, the buy-the-shelf “technology, and home cooking to your needs. The consensus was to buy high-quality and flexible,” off the shelf web solutions, and the growing needs of the project. Open-source solutions a good option, because the source code easy to change, even if it could have serious consequences for security. On the other hand, May to buy proprietary software more secure, but inflexible solutions, you can force companies to chaotic integration with third-party applications to be considered.
Achten, or keep moving and learning. The rapid pace of change online means that the effectiveness of web marketing strategies, technologies and processes that lead to failure, and never ceased to hope and compared the trends and take corrective action. To keep pace with changing trends, consider the staff dedicated to research and development of prospective roles. In practice, “iterative learning” and that after each step in a process, an assessment of lessons learned and new knowledge on successive projects executed. And do not forget to buy the latest books and subscriptions in popular magazines.
Tags: online network, Web Projects