Richard Slipper
Websites serve a number of purposes. Just a few thoughts.
A website is not an afterthought. For many organisations it has become the core of their operation – marketing, an information bank for both those inside and outside the organisation, selling, and for social bodies a forum for engagement between the organisation and its customers – which in the case of a Model Railway society is anybody allowed access to the data provided – and between those customers. I use the word customers as anybody engaging with the web site is a consumer of the facilities it provides – whether passively or active.
The content on the web site – other than that generated by customers – is the organisation’s product(s) – information, goods, and communication and whatever else they identify as a product.
To create the content a clear set of objectives for the website are required which meets the needs firstly of the customers and secondly of the organisation. Customers will not use the web site if there is nothing in it for them. There must be rewards for the time they invest in using it.
The organisation must understand it’s product(s) – what they have been (historical data is useful and can be important but must be relevant to current and future users) – what the present products are and what they will be.
EMGS faces complexity in that it seeks to serve the needs of 3 groups of modellers – those who model in EM gauge, those who model in P4, and those who model in neither but may be members for other reasons. Of course there is overlap between the three and there is overlap with other societies. All three groups of customers need to be served. The common theme is probably a desire to create better more realistic model railways and in this respect a lot of the concepts, skills and processes are transferable – it is only gauge and stock running gear where differences arise.
Accessing the information needs to be quick – as few clicks as possible – perhaps 3 as a maximum. This means efficient and reliable search tools which return the items the person hopes to see. If it doesn’t provide a reward they’ll soon turn off.
Maintenance – the role of webmaster is unenviable. The quality of data available must be up to date and correct. They will probably receive contributions of varying quality. They must ensure copyright is not breached, where member data is stored security plus GDPR has to be of the highest importance, where financial transactions take place interfaces with payments systems arise. If a mailing database is set up further interfaces may arise and this needs maintenance.
The principals of the organisation must all be fully behind the website – everything they do must consider how the web site can be used to improve or communicate the activity being undertaken. They must get new, additional or corrected information to the webmaster on time. An out of date website is as much use as last years calendar. Half baked commitment will result in a half baked web site and disgruntled users.
The relationship between the website and social media needs considering as the latter can act as a prompt and feeder for users to more detailed and extensive resources on the former.
Hope that provides some ideas. 🙂
Richard
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by
Richard Slipper.