How to plan for content during website redesigns

how to plan for contentduring website redesigns

#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com

Wait, shouldn’t we be avoiding redesigns?

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#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com 3


but…


We should extend the gap between redesigns as much as

possible.

5



Use a one-off checklist

hobbs.direct/report-microsite-checklist


Many problems are broad

page section whole site

we are usually focused narrowly

but critical problems are

here




We wantbrand new

content

Why relevant

• Need to think outside the current mindset

• There are certainly blatant problems you should resolve

• Want to reset for higher standards going forward

• Hard to imagine how to improve things without gutting


We haveexisting content

Why relevant

• You are starting from somewhere

• You don’t want to repeat your mistakes

• Except for small sites, a complete rewrite is probably unrealistic

• There are almost certainly pockets of good content

• Redirects

#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com? 13

Old New

or

#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com? 14

Forklift Nuclear

orhttp://hobbs.direct/beyond


tossintegrate

move as ischange format

rewritebrand new

restructure


Old New


Understand what we have

Define wherewe are headed

Define how we get there


InventoryStructure,

quality, vision.Buckets,

dispositions, estimates



Inventories are interesting!

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Sources of data

• View• Origin• Usage• Intent

25http://hobbs.direct/rethink-sources


Sources of data

• View• Origin• Usage• Intent

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Applyingthe data

• Add• Merge• Scrape• Override

X


Apply rules

metadata → bucket bucket → disposition

http://hobbs.direct/panning-gold




tossintegrate

move as ischange format

rewritebrand new

restructure


Rules, low tech

#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com 32http://hobbs.direct/random



An inventory is an EXPLORATION

You should be able to: • ask new questions• consume new information• use the inventory over time

http://hobbs.direct/rethink-exploration


All discussions should center onquality

35http://hobbs.direct/quality-migration


Qualityimpactsother areas

36


Quality is grayscale

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#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com 38http://hobbs.direct/gap

#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com 39http://hobbs.direct/gap

#ContentPriorities @jdavidhobbs · https://davidhobbsconsulting.com 40http://hobbs.direct/estimate




http://hobbs.direct/estimation-sheet


Global & large rollouts: bucket by type of site

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If you only do four things:

1. Use a checklist to try stopping one-offs now.

2. Be creative in assigning dispositions (NOT just forklift or brand new).

3. Attempt to use rules to assign dispositions (NOT just page-by-page).

4. Estimate effort level —not that it will be accurate but simply to drive strong discussions.

Internet

How to plan for content during website redesigns