Nov 15 2006
Website design is key for corporate communications (internally and externally)
Knowledge Hemispheres commenced its business operations in 2001. Five years later it has had 6 releases of its website. Please be assured that this is not to imply that the company has an obession with branding or fashion. What is shows is that the company is reflecting and assuring a web strategy that is potentially best for business.
When our company webmaster was looking for a reliable content management site he discovered many open source content management engines available, for example: Joomla, Nuke and Post Nuke, Wordpress… All of these products are available on a range of platforms / operating options and programming languages.
Some of the most popular are Joomla (and Mambo), Nuke and Post Nuke. The advent of web 2.0 and increasing use of feeds means that there are some real benefits in developing a site that can encourage interactivity and dynamic content management. Another essential item is accessibility, for example: Bobby Compliance and the ability for readers, for example: Jaws and Browseloud.
Knowledge Hemispheres recently underwent a rebranding activity and considered that now was the right time to consolidate its sites into a central portal. The new site: http://www.kh-2.com eases access to the following web services from a single point of management and knowledge distribution:
- Press Releases
- Online Blog
- Service Descriptions
- Client feedback zone
- eCommerce functions
- Improved dialogue and communication channels
- RSS Feeds and associated links
- Subscription management
- Content back-up
- Speed of access
With regard to the latter point, website design can often forget that getting to information as fast as possible is important. Similar to TV channel ‘flicking’, a viewer attention can demand fast display and information.
During a recent Knowledge Hemispheres project one of our client’s expressed to us that both content management and the importance of developing a portal approach was key. However, Knowledge Hemispheres suggested and emphasised that just as important was the need to consider the target audiences past behaviours and needs. For example, in this case the company establishes business standards, therefore the current website is used by visitors to gain access to statistics. Therefore, Knowledge Hemispheres suggested that data provided must be reliable / accurate and made available in a timely manner. Another requirement was for quick access to information on corporate services and associated business partners. Both requirements require a web strategy that must be reliant on powerful content management and access design.
Interestingly, recently it has been reported that increasingly, TV viewers are abandoning their sets and spending more time on the Internet. Therefore, what better opportunity for organisations to reconsider the suitability and design of their Internet or Intranet’s.
In summary, changing the way an organisation’s website is structured has the potential to benefit a company’s Marketing and Knowledge Management Strategies.
Popularity: 35% [?]
