Okay, so, you've met with the experts, figured out your target audience, figured out your message and have a design ready to go. You, and your team, have decided on what you need to get done, how to get it done, and the timeline to get it done by.
So, in the eternal words of one marketing giant: Just Do It.
Unless you find that something you have planned on will either, a) Take more time and money than you originally planned, or b) might be detrimental to your website, don't second guess yourself or your team. Waffling about new technologies you found after your team has started the build will only delay your project. And, they can always be integrated into your site later.
Stick to your plan and get the project done. Your team, family and heart doctor will all be happier.
I LOVE New Gadgets, but I Don't Always Use Them
There is a never-ending spawn of new technologies and social media venues popping up on the internet every day. There are good ones, and bad ones. Some help you network with other companies. Others help you reach out to potential customers.
But, a person can go into information overload with all the great marketing technologies out there. When that happens, you can easily go into analysis paralysis.
Trust me; nothing will draw your project to a screeching halt faster than finding a new feature for your website.
Now, I'll be honest, I LOVE finding these new gadgets and widgets and modules and snippets to add to my website. I'm a GEEK! I love that stuff! I'm very easily distracted by shiny, flashing things. (My family calls that my "Oh, Look! A Kitty!!" mode). But, I also know I have to draw a line somewhere.
When you find those new tools that might help you with your online presence, do yourself, and your team, a favor:
- Start a list
- Write it down
- Set it aside
When working on the project planning stage, create a 'phase 2' that is scheduled to begin once 'phase 1' is completed and running. Then, you can sit down with your team and review possible new additions to your site. That way, the first phase of your project can continue with fewer interruptions.
Keep your focus on your primary goal. Otherwise, your project will go nowhere, fast, if you continually try to add new items to the mix. I know. I've tried.
Stay tuned for Part 4 - Widgets Don't Kill Websites. People Do.