Atlantic Business Technologies, Inc.

Category: Strategy & Design

  • Inspire Excellent Website Content From Your Brave Team

    Editing existing website content and creating new pages is a crucial part of the web development process. It’s also something most clients tend to put off until the last minute. That’s unfortunate, because a large website might have dozens or hundreds of pages to fill. If content isn’t prepared when the rest of the site is ready to go live, it can significantly delay the launch.

    If you’re an executive or business owner, the key to avoiding this problem is starting early and getting the help you need. In many cases, your managers and employees will be your top resource for writing new material. They know their departments, customers, and responsibilities better than anyone else.

    We know how difficult it can be to persuade others to write web content in a timely manner. Here are 7 ways you can inspire your team to hit their keyboards and complete your website content on schedule. 

    #1 Ask for Their Expertise

    Let your team members know why they are so invaluable. Everyone likes to be appreciated. By appealing to their expertise, you are turning them into authorities in their field. They’ll feel more confident, rather than bogged down with extra busywork. 

    #2 Start With a Few Easy Wins

    You don’t have to ask your team to generate lots of website content all at once. Begin by giving them a few simple things to write. Once those “easy wins” are out-of-the-way, they’ll be more receptive to tackling larger content writing projects. Suddenly, writing doesn’t feel so scary anymore. 

    #3 Trade Away Other Tasks

    If your employees or managers are already overwhelmed with other tasks, it’s going to be hard for them to find the time to write. See if you can get some assistance from temps, other departments, or even outside vendors to help lessen the work load. That way, your team can concentrate on generating the pages you need.

    #4 Provide a Template

    Procrastination and writers block can be major obstacles to productivity (#truth). Help your employees avoid these harbingers of doom by giving them a template or example to follow. That way they’ll never start with a blank page and the panic that inevitably comes from not knowing how to proceed.

    #5 Make it a Group Activity

    Gather team members together to share and exchange ideas. That will help remove other distractions, and might encourage a more collaborative spirit. Additionally, most people find it easier to write with the help of others instead of living in Salinger isolation. 

    #6 Try a Sprint

    Sprints are common in the world of programming. They involve bringing lots of people together to work on a concentrated activity for a short period of time. In that same vein, you could hold a content writing sprint for one hour on a Friday afternoon. That could lead to you crossing dozens of pages or articles off your checklist.

    #7 Take the Pressure Off

    Make it easier for your employees to express themselves by letting them know you’ll run anything they write past an editor or proofreader. That could speed up the process, since they won’t have to worry about checking their own work so carefully. It could also make it easier for them to think creatively.

    Need a Complex Website? Turn to the Experts

    At Atlantic BT, we have a talented and experienced team of designers, programmers, and project specialists who can help you create or reimagine your website. Contact us today to set up a free consultation and learn more about our work.

     

  • How to Make Your Web Project Better With the RACI Method

    When it comes to creating a new website, planning, and assigning roles is a crucial task. This is even more critical for large web projects involving institutional web design. Without the proper guidelines in place, you can never be sure that everything is taken care of. There can be important details and considerations missed or overlooked.

    This would be true even if there was only one small team involved. But, that’s not the way large-scale web development works. At Atlantic BT, we have our group of designers, programmers, and content specialists. On top of that, we work with a variety of executives, managers, and vendors on a regular basis. This significantly increases the need for an organizational system.

    We’ve followed a specific strategy for managing project flows over the years. There are the written project plans that keep everyone on track. But, we also assign different tasks and phases using a RACI model. That stands for:

    • Responsible
    • Accountable
    • Consulted          
    • Informed

    Generally speaking, all the major contacts fall into this group. They may not have the same roles for each step, but it’s a handy way of keeping everyone involved and informed.

    The Benefits of RACI

    A structured workflow process is necessary if you want to keep everyone on the same page. Without one, it would be easy to see how things can quickly become convoluted. A lack of communication and clarity can lead to poor decision making. Choices happen without the proper input from the appropriate parties. Or, projects can stall while one team waits on another. They might need feedback or work from someone who didn’t realize they were on the clock.

    RACI lets us manage big web development jobs more efficiently than we would be able to do otherwise. That’s because it keeps us from duplicating tasks both within and outside of our offices. For example, we know who will be generating a given piece of content when it’s due. And we know which parties will be responsible for approving it when it’s finished.

    Another big advantage of the RACI system is the focus it provides. It frees everyone involved to work on what is most crucial or important at the moment. Clients don’t have to track us down in advance of deadlines. At the same time, we don’t need to bother them at the last minute so a project can move forward. Everyone is on the same page, communicating and paying attention. Therefore, everyone is free to do their best work when and where it can have the greatest impact.

    Why Clients Should Care About Workflows

    “Wow, this RACI Method sounds like a neat idea”, you might be thinking right now. “But it doesn’t really apply to me, since I’m overseeing a web design project, I’m not drawing or coding.” Ah! But it can! It’s even more valuable to clients. No executive should work with a firm that doesn’t have a similar system in place.

    Ultimately, a well-organized plan for institutional web design keeps the project running smoothly. You’re working with hundreds of details and moving parts. A team that ignores this aspect of the job is going to cost you time and money in the end.

    The day-to-day process your design team follows may not be the biggest concern for you. But, you should care very much about the way they plan to manage input and communicate with you. Remember the four letters (RACI) that make web design a smoother process and don’t hire anyone who doesn’t know them.

    Is it time to get organized with a creative team that can keep deadlines, schedules, and budgets in check? Contact Atlantic BT today to schedule a free consultation.

     

  • One Simple Way to Make Your Website Strategy More Actionable

    The wonderful thing about web design is that web design is a wonderful thing. Technology is always improving. Nowadays it feels as though anything is possible. If you can dream it, we can build it.

    Unfortunately, there is a second side to that coin. Just because we can create something, doesn’t mean that we should. Its possibility does not make it feasible or affordable. In fact, when you consider the resources involved, it might not even make a lot of sense. Once we have discussed wish lists and concepts with clients, we want to blend dreams with reality. That’s why we encourage them to start thinking in terms of constraints.

    It’s a lot of fun considering the creative choices you can make with your new website. Putting names and numbers next to the things that hold you back? Not as much. But, it’s every bit as important. Let’s look at some common constraints our clients face. They may affect you too, as you plan your next website.

    Current and Ongoing Budgets

    When we talk about constraints, web design clients usually think in terms of budgets. Obviously, this will be the biggest limitation for most organizations regardless of size or industry. However, when considering your budget, you have to look beyond the initial investment for the project. You should also talk to your creative team about ongoing expenses for maintenance, marketing, content creation, and future website audits. Your website strategy should always be looking ahead.

    Deadlines and Schedules

    Next to costs, the biggest constraint most web design clients face has to do with time. They may want a website launched by a certain date, or have to work within a time frame that aligns with other marketing or reporting goals. As with budgets, though, schedules shouldn’t only focus on initial commitments. Ongoing hours could be needed for meetings, content marketing, and analytics review. It’s important to identify and express any post-launch constraints you have in these areas.

    Scope and Customer or User Targeting

    Every web design project has ideas that go unused. Sometimes they are tabled for a future date. There are a few reasons why this happens. Budgets and schedules have to be accommodated (see above), for one. Or certain markets are just too tough to crack into at the moment. Even the biggest organizations can’t be all things to all people. You may have to scale back your vision to stay within the scope of a realistic web design or online marketing effort. Part of a strong website strategy is knowing what to let go of.

    Existing Content, Branding, and Platforms

    You may be coming into your web development project with constraints related to existing content, identity, and software. For example, you have hundreds of inbound links leading to a certain page that will have to be retained. Or, you might want to keep existing logos and marketing materials that have been successful in the past, to tie together with ongoing campaigns. You could have proprietary software that needs to work with your new website. Each of these presents its own challenges that are best addressed early on.

    Regulatory Needs or Legal Requirements

    In many fields there are legal or regulatory guidelines that have to be followed. These can apply to the website itself, the storage or transmission of sensitive data, and even the messaging used to attract customers. For instance, the companies we work with in the healthcare and financial fields have to be very careful about the way they disclose information and promote their work. Our government clients must be in compliance with very specific guidelines. Also, website accessibility laws are crucial to pay attention to. Again, these types of constraints don’t have to cause big headaches. However, you will want to get them out in the open when you begin meeting with web design vendors.

    Want to Get the Most From Your Web Design Budget?

    At Atlantic BT, clients don’t just care about the websites we make for them. They appreciate that we take their needs, budgets, and organizational goals into account before we ever start working on layouts or marketing plans.

    If you want a web design and development partner who will put your priorities first, why not contact us today and schedule a free consultation? What could it hurt?

  • Why Research is the Key to Effective Web Design

    What do you believe you’re getting when you hire a web designer? Many clients think they’re paying for artistic skill and technical expertise. That is true…in a sense. A finished website is usually the “deliverable” at the end of the project. But, in our experience, the real value comes at a different point in the process; the research and Discovery Phase.

    At Atlantic BT, our belief is that not all web design time is equal. In fact, what you think you’re paying for might not be the most important piece or step. Let’s elaborate.

    Discovery Time Offers the Biggest Payoff

    The Discovery process is an essential kick-off point at the beginning of a web design project. This research stage includes interviewing clients and asking about their organization, needs, and challenges. But, many web development companies will treat Discovery as a formality. It’s an unfortunate step to not appreciate. We know that the Discovery phase is where the magic really happens.

    Once a creative team knows what a client truly needs, they can move forward with confidence. The layouts, flowcharts, and content are custom made. They fit a specific situation, marketing personality, and audience. The creative team is aware of past work, current processes, and future goals. They can see the big picture and understand their client’s character, inside and out. Knowing what their client needs and the parameters of the project allows for focus. The team can develop the right solutions for the right problems.

    An experienced, professional web designer can make new layouts and color schemes easily. Figuring out what will help a client meet their needs is much more challenging and vital. This leads us to another important observation.

    Don’t Rush Through the Interview and Data Collection Process

    A thorough Discovery meeting can provide buckets of inspiration and information. It makes everything else that comes later in the web design process, easier. On the flip side of that, rushing through Discovery interviews will come back to hurt you.

    A lack of understanding leads to a product with no real purpose. If your web development team doesn’t understand what you want or need, what can you expect from them? They are likely to present you with work that needs major revisions. Everyone involved could be missing important details throughout the process. In the end, you’ll find yourself with a web presence that isn’t as effective as it could be.

    Lots of executives like to rush through interviews. More than a few web designers are the same way. They all want to get busy designing samples and layouts. But, this almost always backfires. Designers end up reinventing the wheel again and again. In the meantime, clients get more and more frustrated.

    There are Two Ways to Spend Time on Web Design

    Decades of experience with both web design and development has taught us this truth. It takes time to plan and build a great website. Spending that time at the beginning to learn, research, and ask questions, is valuable. The project moves forward smoothly and naturally. Rushing those preparations helps no one. It will only make the project difficult, delayed, and costly.

    Consider this approach to research when outlining your web design or redesign project. Don’t move too fast through the most important step. Refuse to work with anyone who rushes you through the Discovery phase. If you do otherwise, you’ll regret it later.

    Ready for a Better Approach to Web Design and Development?

    There are hundreds of companies out there who can build a website for you. Very few can handle institutional web design and development in a professional way. Work with a creative partner who can keep your project on target, on schedule, and on budget. Contact Atlantic BT, located in North Carolina, to schedule a free consultation.

  • The Double-Edged Sword of KPIs and How to Use It

    At Atlantic BT, we always talk to our clients about their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These are the metrics used to determine what is and isn’t working within their business. They provide the basis for an analysis much like a report card. Executives can see whether various projects and campaigns are on track.
     
    Our goal is to help our client build and develop a website that leads to real-world improvement. We want to raise the numbers for sales, revenues, memberships, etc,. To do so, we look beyond simple goal identification. We see KPIs from two different sides. One side affects the planning process for a new website. The other side helps us anticipate the work ahead, post launch.
     
    Let’s take a look at the way you can use KPIs to influence your web development strategy.

    Before Your Website is Built

    While you’re planning your next website, you can use KPIs as a guide. They can help you outline your project and prioritize the use of your resources. In other words, you can use expected results to decide where to spend your time and money. The KPIs act like a Magic 8 ball, but with more numbers and clarity.
     
    This sounds like a simple concept. Alas, it’s harder to put into action than some business owners and executives realize. It’s easy to become distracted by all the possibilities of your project. Once you start looking into things like web designs and app creation, the rabbit hole only grows.
     
    By focusing on KPIs that show up on a balance sheet, you can keep everyone involved in the project on track. Even softer benefits that are harder to measure but make a big difference to the company, matter. And they are often included in KPIs. But, as with so many good things, moderation is key. Be sure to not overwhelm yourself with too many KPIs. It can give your team too much to juggle when they need to be focusing on the end goal.

    After Your Website Has Launched

    Congratulations! Your website has gone live. Now you can use the KPIs you identified, as a scorecard to see how everything is working. You’ll be able to know if the site, and the online marketing plan you’re using, are trending in the right direction.
     
    Again, this can help you to find clarity instead of confusion. After the launching of a large website, there’s bound to be a great deal of feedback and analytics data. Some of it may feel contradictory. This is particularly true if you have many overlapping goals. Perhaps they are all related to revenue, recruiting, information dissemination, and so on.
     
    The KPIs you established at the beginning are there to serve you at the end. By coming back to them, you can determine whether you’re getting the results you hoped for. Then you can adjust your approach as you move forward.

    Want Web Design That Leads to Results?

    When it comes to complex web design, you need a finished product that supports your organizational goals at every level. That’s where the Atlantic BT creative team comes in. We can help you evaluate your KPIs and resources to come up with a plan that helps you reach your most important targets.

    Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free consultation.

  • How Project Milestones Can Boost Confidence, Time, and Focus

    A large web design and development project requires a great deal of planning. In fact, the more complex the project is, the more important it is to have that plan of action worked out fast. The plan needs to be clear with a distinct goal. It must be able to move all parties involved from the initial concept to a successful launch. This plan shouldn’t be a simple checklist of activities. Instead, it should detail responsibilities and timelines, as well.
     
    At Atlantic BT, we see the various phases of web design projects as milestones. These represent natural points in the process where it makes sense to step back and see what we have. We can combine materials and evaluate the work in front of us. After agreements and adjustments offered from all team members, we can move forward.
     
    Milestones makes it easier for everyone involved to see the ongoing progress made. That can be an important factor to communicate. It reminds everyone that their work and time isn’t vanishing into nothing. It also helps keep everyone and everything on the same page. Especially when there are hundreds of minor details to look after.
     
    We’d like to introduce you to a few ideas about milestones in web design projects. You can put them to work as you oversee the development of your organization’s website. By breaking down the process into steps, the project becomes easier to access. You can build your team’s confidence as they see their accomplishments in action.

    The Importance of Milestones

    There are many values in establishing a set of planned milestones. The biggest one, though, is that they let you track your progress from the beginning. The initial discovery and brainstorming phase can be milestone 1. Each level of design for the program will be its own milestone. You can apply this tracking process throughout the entirety of the project.
     
    With regularly-spaced milestones in place, you’ll be able to plan ahead more efficiently. The next point where you’ll need to give feedback to your creative team, will be clear. You’ll also develop a good sense of the project’s pace and how it continues to progress. This is helpful when you’re keeping an eye on those deadlines. You can even use milestones to keep executives and stakeholders on track. They’ll be able to focus on deliverables as they arrive.

    Making Progress Without Micromanaging

    One key advantage of scheduling milestones is that they allow clients to review new work (including previously-requested revisions) at regular intervals. That can reduce the strain of constant back-and-fourth communication between developers and stakeholders. At the same time, it gives a creative team the freedom to work without feeling as if they are being micromanaged.

    Of course, in order for these benefits to be realized, milestones need to be scheduled often enough to keep things moving. But, balance is important. Don’t schedule them so frequently that they become a distraction.

    Milestones as a Time-Saving Tool

    Another often-overlooked benefit of using milestones is that they define feedback periods. Web design clients can be prepared to offer notes, feedback, and requests for revisions. Executives can take the time to evaluate what they’ve seen, and even solicit opinions from users and colleagues. The process will be less stressful because they’ll know they won’t have to go through this on a daily or weekly basis.

    The result is a structure that puts everyone on equal footing. It is clear to the entire team what is expected of them, creative work isn’t being duplicated, and the flow of communication is improved.

    Need a Creative Team That Can Handle Institutional Web Design?

    Building a large website – like one needed for a corporation, university, or government agency – requires experience, technical skill, and the ability to manage workflows and deadlines. You’ll get all that and more when you hire Atlantic BT in North Carolina. Contact us today to schedule a consultation about your project.