A strategic planning approach to Web site management

Many libraries are creating Web sites, to serve a wide range of purposes. The author is Webmaster of the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL); using her own Web site as an example, she discusses a number of issues and tasks associated with creating and maintaining a professional Web site, within the context of a strategic planning approach to Web site development. Beginning with “Should we have a Web site?”, the stages of the process are outlined, including identification of aims and objectives, analysis of user needs, selection of content and services to be included, writing or developing the content, developing the information architecture, navigational aids, visual design of the site, HTML coding or use of page development software, metadata, mounting the completed pages on a Web server, testing and modifications, listing with search engines and directories, publicity and promotion, ongoing site maintenance, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Web site. The strategic planning process provides a useful framework through which to view the many tasks associated with Web site development and maintenance and to conceptualise their relationship to one another.