Comments on Using Site Evaluations to Communicate with Clients

Dorelle — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

First let me address Ashley. We do copyright our material, and label it proprietary and confidential. And then we cross our fingers and hope our clients do the right thing. And lately, we seem to be trying to extend our relationships with existing clients, so there is already an established trust. And as far as I know we never deliver electronic copies at the proposal stage.

But this question does make me think about “spec” work in general. Does anyone do work to get more work? What about ad agencies that design campaigns before they get the account. What do they do?

Now to Andre and Jim. Have you seen the Aifia initiatives that are pulling together a library of resources for practicing IAs? Check it out: http://www.aifia.org/pg/initiatives.php

Unfortunately my work templates are proprietary, and I can’t share them. Sorry.

Dorelle — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

But this question does make me think about “spec” work in general. Does anyone do work to get more work? What about ad agencies that design campaigns before they get the account. What do they do?

Now to Andre and Jim. Have you seen the Aifia initiatives that are pulling together a library of resources for practicing IAs? Check it out: http://www.aifia.org/pg/initiatives.php

Unfortunately my work templates are proprietary, and I can’t share them. Sorry.

Jim — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

Dorelle, many thanks for a great article with lots of good ideas. I have done similar but less anal retentive approaches with my clients with varying degrees of success. After reading your article, and especially after clicking on your little thumbnail teaser of your spreadsheet, I am overcome with a desire to get my hands on sample/template. (And I notice that “Andre” has a similar interest.)

That made me think that “boxesandarrows” could further extend its mission by adding some kind of “download” section—a file-exchange forum where IA’s and other interactive project managers and creatives could share document templates—spread sheets and diagrams and project schedules, etc.. THAT would be a great resource.

Please keep up the great work.

Ashley — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

I definitely agree this is a fantastic way to set your company apart from the competition. However, do you or anyone ever have concerns over the intellectual property that you are divulging to a client in a proposal stage?

We find that a lot of clients think this stuff sounds great, but ultimately, they don’t want to pay for it and end up going with the cheaper route. But then they have our materials to pass onto a competitor. We label our material proprietary and confidential but there’s not typically an easy way to check later and see if the client used that material.

Any thoughts?

Andre — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

Is there a complete model audit form available that someone could point me to? Thanks.

Dorelle — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

While I agree Paula, that meeting user needs is one of the reasons site’s are built, I think it is only one of many reasons. I also have to consider the needs of the site creators, the business goals and strategy. You know as well as I do that often times everything doesn’t match up so well. That’s why I said assessments need to be used in conjunction with all our other “tools.”

Paula Thornton — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

First, kudos for sharing what you did and providing a mechanism—we need more of this.

What’s missing? The primary evaluation I typcially am drawn to and the real reason sites are built—to meet specific needs of the visitors (ala. key scenarios). While such evaluation may be ‘implied’ by one of your steps, this should be the key focus of the entire evaluation from which everything else is just supporting material.

Jay — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

This is admittedly a bit off-topic, but I don’t know where else to ask.

Does anyone have any examples, suggestions, or best practices to share regarding creating a content update schedule, or “web site editorial calendar”?

On a large, frequently updated or both! site, this is primarily a content strategy issue, but I’m hoping someone here brings a IA’s logic and clarity (and maybe a spreadsheet example?) to the topic.

Thanks for any advice or resources you can share.

Seth Gordon — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

Some interesting points made in the article. In some ways, it sounds like a heuristic evaluation, just using IA criteria. To take the 1-5 system a step further, how about scoring an estimate on the resources required bring that area into compliance or a respectable score?

That then helps identify the quick fixes with high rewards vs. those that may be low yield. That will help you and the client prioritize the solutions. remember that 2×2 grid? that applies here.

Christian — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

In order to provide additional value in these types of assessments, I like to highlight issues concerning search engine optimization and accessibility, which the client typically has given little thought to.

Going to this extra level of analysis will often help to set you apart from others competing for the project.

Dave — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:57 GMT

I’ve been successful with site audits/designs when I focus on the site visitor as opposed to the content owner. It’s not always easy, but generally people can be turned to look at who is using this site and what do they care about.

Audits as a document also creates a validity model. People tend to take a decently crafted document more seriously It’s also a way to highlight content areas that have fallen obsolete without having to confront someone face-to-face.

Jody — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:50:56 GMT

It’s been my experience that site evaluations are incredibly political. I use a similar approach, but I significantly temper the language for new clients.