Business Consulting
The 3P's of Web Design: How to Work with your Webmaster
By Jim Hague
Jun 29, 2008

So what are the 3Ps?
The purpose behind the 3P’s is to strategize a website “before” actually building a website. They are a set of steps that help you determine how to research, execute, and release a site that is professional and serves it’s purpose.

The First “P”: Pre-production
This is the stage where your webmaster and you come to conclusion on the intentions and functionality of a website. This is perhaps the most important of the “P’s”.

The following will be discussed:
· Collecting specifications on the project to determine the functionalities of the website.
· The use of flowcharts (the blue print of web sites)
· Proposal writing
· Schematics, what are they used for

The Second P: Production
Once your Webmaster and you are clear on the intention and type of website to be built, you are then ready to are ready to initiate this project and see it to completion. Several important questions will be addressed: How the site is to be produced, who will work on the site, what technology to use, what kind of server to use? If this site requires e-commerce, what type of secure certificates is needed? How will money flow from website to bank?

Is it necessary for the single Webmaster in front of you to perform all the tasks involved in construction your website? Sometimes yes, but often times “no.” Your Webmaster’s forte may be graphics yet his understanding in databases may be limited. If so, how will he compensate for the area he is lacking? If he doesn’t know how to perform certain functions, then he must be leader and hire the right people.

Not your problem you may think? You just want the results! Guess again, you are paying the bill! This kind of attitude causes deadlines to be missed and money to be wasted. I’ve spent a good portion of my career rescuing web sites that were not done right due to false promises. Make it your business; demand what he plans on doing and how he plans for it to be done.

While the first “P” (Pre-production) is the most important stage, the second “P” (Production) is the most challenging and where you will find out if the money you spent is a sound investment or a waste.

We discuss the following:
· Storyboards – Determine the website look and feel.
· Is the website mostly front-end programming or backend programming? What is the difference?
· We discuss the type of images best suited for the website.
· What kind of programming to use. HTML is obvious, but what other programming may be involved: Javascripts, Cascading Style Sheets, or do we need to go more intense programming languages like PHP, Active Server Pages, Java, or perhaps even C++.
· If a database is being used then what kind of database? Will it be mySQL, SQL, Access, or Oracle
· Does this project require Streaming Media in the form of video, audio, or both? If so, what type? Real, QuickTime, or Windows Media or Flash?
· Does this website need e-commerce? If so, what kind of shopping cart
· Does it need other special features such as Live web cast, Chat rooms, or Discussion boards?
·

2. The Third P: Post Production
Finally we reach the third “P:, or “Post-production.” - This is the phase where all the features are checked. From database testing to grammar checking, this is the final step before the site is released. This is also the marketing phase where the Webmaster will optimize the site for search engines. This phase is the least challenging, but of course, the most rewarding.

The following topics will be discussed
· Quality Assurance – Making sure all features work!
· Once the site is complete, who manages it? Will there be a need for content management system?
· How will the site be marketed? Will it involve the different social networking websites like MySpace, YouTube, FaceBook, etc.
· If it’s an Ecommerce website, will there be integration into the marketplace websites like Ebay, Amazon, or Yahoo Stores?

Your website is a major asset to your company. It serves as your company’s spokesperson, banker, accountant, secretary, and much more.

It’s also big business. More money is exchanged through the internet in one hour than an entire week at the New York Stock Exchange. You must take leadership of your website, it can make or break you.