Blogger Archive

As a professional Web Developer, it’s always important for me to keep in mind that when building any web site, you have to posses the foresight to know how users will interact with the web site. There are lots of things to think about on any web project, such as:

Overall usability - We must remember that the average user has to be able to successfully interact with the web site and use all features implemented with little or no instruction.

Accessibility - This is a big issue. With more disabled people using the Internet all the time, we must reasonably accommodate them by using plain text, not just images, to explain any valuable message on the web site. It is important to also include equivalent alternatives to audio and visual content such as Flash objects, videos and/or audio files such as pod casts. You’ll also want to make the navigation clear and concise in a format detectable by audio readers and similar software used by disabled persons. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is very clear on these guidlines and is a very good resource for any developer.

Web standards - We also need to know what coding standards are being used across the Web and unless it is a situation which fully warrants the use of uncommon technology, don’t use it. In other words, the need to use uncommon technology and practices has to outweigh the need to conform to standards. This is another area where World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is a very good resource for professional web developers.

Design - We are required to think about and implement practical architecture in a way which will convey the designer’s message while keeping in mind all of the other important aspects of the development.

Timelines - Deadlines or timelines are one of the most important factors in web projects. Don’t over promise. I can’t stress this enough. If you’re crunched for time, it’s very hard to put out the same quality of product which you would otherwise provide if given a more reasonable timeline. When we over promise, we under deliver.

This brings me to another important issue, which is the web site’s code or architecture if you will. A web site is much like any home. In order to build a practical and comfortable home that you will enjoy for years to come is to have a solid foundation and strong architecture.

Without a solid foundation and strong architecture, your new home will not stand the test-of-time and you won’t be happy and comfortable in your home for years as you had planned. Quality is the key here. If you build a quality home with a solid foundation and strong architecture, your home will last a lifetime and the resale value will hold strong. You’ll also have the confidence to know that you can add on to your home, thus making it more comfortable and more valuable in the future.

The same principles go into every web site I build. Even if the client doesn’t keep the web site for a lifetime, I want them to know they have a solid foundation so that they may be happy with their investment for years to come and have the confidence to know that they can add on to the web site at any time because they have strong architecture. The key to being a successful developer is to always keep these key factors in view while producing the highest quality product you can produce.