ActiveStandards™

In order to maintain control of dynamically-changing web estates, managed in a multi-editor environment, most companies rely on website standards. 

Website standards are the library of standards and policies, specified by an organisation to govern the content, function and appearance of their group of websites.

Without clearly defined standards, organisations face considerable risks on their web presence, ranging from a poor and inconsistent user experience to significant damage to brand and reputation.

Well-specified standards, and widespread compliance with these standards, delivers benefits in many areas. Having standards in place is vital for managing the process of website creation and publication.

Their purpose is to:

• Guide web developers and content creators in the development and maintenance of websites.
• Ensure consistency of approach on a wide range of issues, avoiding resource being wasted and ‘reinventing the wheel’.
• Provide training and actionable reference material in all key areas.
• Provide metrics by which performance and effectiveness of a web presence can be measured.
• Optimise and control the user experience of website visitors.

Benefit of standards

 

Enhance and protect the brand by:

• Reinforcing the brand by ensuring consistency of presentation and messaging
• Protecting the company reputation by ensuring a consistent, high quality user experience

Generate financial return through:

• Protecting investment in web-related projects by ensuring quality and performance is maintained on an ongoing basis
• Reducing development and maintenance costs
• Providing access to the widest possible market, by ensuring compliance with accessibility guidelines and compatibility with target user platforms
• Optimising customer acquisition due to the right message reaching the audience

Avoid online risk by:

• Delivering compliance with legislative requirements
• Ensuring appropriate protection of intellectual property

Improve workflow efficiency by:

• Reducing time to market, through streamlined development and maintenance processes
• Communication and enforcement of best practice across web teams and the business as a whole

Standards also allow performance measurement, through the provision of objective targets against which performance can be tracked and measured.