Treat content as crucial code

The age old mantra ‘content is king’ still seems to apply when attracting web audiences. So why is content still an afterthought in many web development projects?

Granted, the content production process has become more complex over the years as audience expectations and preferences shift. Many of the websites originally set up with a traditional ‘one-to-many’ publishing set-up are adopting more ‘read-write’ participative strategies, where user generated content complements a site’s own editorial output.

But even with the added challenge of catering for audiences who demand the right to re-write, re-package and share content, site owners dedicate far too little time or resource to content strategy development. This error, if left unchecked, can lead to severe delays in a site’s launch.

So, in a bid to dispel some of the more common misconceptions about the content production process, we thought it worthwhile to outline some of the core components required to ensure editorial projects run more smoothly.

Content as code?

Whenever Cimex is asked what content production consists of, it often helps to compare it to other elements of the website development process – for example technical development. As project teams find themselves dealing with complex legacy materials, the same principles often apply.

Like technical development, content production can be vastly improved if a number of key measures are in place before build begins.

So, what are the key ingredients of a good content production and migration project?

• Content strategy or content specific brief
• Sitemap and wireframes
• Content outline specification
• Sufficient lead in time
• Keep your site relevant

Read ‘Treat your content like crucial code - Part 2: Content strategy’