Website project management is different from traditional project management in that a website is always changing and evolving. Some things, like content updates, are never done.
There are many tasks that you should always be doing when you have a website, even if you’re not actively working on a big project for it. Here’s a list:
- Content updates – always keep your website updated with information that is current and pertinent to people who come to your website
- Hardware/Web Server Software upgrades – if you maintain your own webserver, you need to make sure your hardware is able to handle the load and that the software has current security updates
- CMS and other website software updates – if you run a CMS or other “dynamic” software, you need to always make sure it is current with security updates and also feature updates
- Reviewing Web Stats – you should always be reviewing your web stats. They measure how your website is being used and you can make changes to your website that will help based on these stats
- Design updates – you should always keep your website fresh and keep up with current design trends and improvements. These trends and improvements can be hard to identify and require a website expert to help
A typical website creation or redesign project consists of:
- Define the project
- Develop website structure
- Design visual interface – layout, colors, fonts etc
- Build the website & integrate any other necessary tools
- Test, and finally launch the new website
I use Basecamp for my project management with all my website clients. All my tasks, milestones, etc are done with it. Since there is no real physical “office” for a website project, I’ve found it is extremely useful — and so do my clients.
