Web Content Management
Anyone who is a web specialist, web developer, or has ever created a website or posted any webpage has used some version of Content Management System (CMS).
I was curious about the early days of CMS and how they have changed over years. I came across an interesting article about the History of the Content Management System.
Web Analytics
Because I am a web and analytics nerd, I found some great information that I wanted to share about measuring web site performance and what metrics businesses should be paying attention to for success and reaching their goals {KPIs or Key Performance Indicators).
Qualifying Leads: How many visitors to your website actually do business with you and/or walk in to your place of business and spend money.
Conversion Rate: The percentage of website visitors who are converted into qualifying leads or customers
Awareness Level: The effectiveness on how your website is educating people on your brand, product, or services.
Visitors arrive at your website are looking for a service or to buy something they need. You want a visitor to easily find the information or product and completing some kind of action (i.e. seal the deal). You do not want someone coming to the site and not find what they need and quickly leave and go somewhere else..
One easy way is to make sure your website is SEO is updated on all pages. Good SEO improves your sites ranking on search engines. Consider creating an email campaign and sending out to potential clients to get the word out about your brand. And also adding a blog to your site would help as well.
Web Analytics is something I have had a interest in for about 10 years. It brings together two topics I'm passionate about, web sites and analytics.
I recently read an interesting article about the global impact and how Web Analytics Tools will make in the next several years.
Web and Digital Accessibility and Compliance
Computers have come so far in the last few years. Technology has made it easy for anyone to use the internet.
Visually impaired people use software tools (screen readers) to read website content to them out loud.
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, lays out requirements for website accessibility that is applicable to government and Federal agencies websites and also includes websites of companies that do business with the government.
Private companies could also benefit with using the Section 508 standards to make sure that their websites are accessible to the broadest possible audience.
Non-compliant websites may not make sense to a visually impaired person when the screen reader dictates the content to the user.
If your website is not compliant, don't fret. Updating a website to be accessible to visually impaired users is a manageable process.
Other than visually impaired users, what groups do you think might have difficulties accessing certain websites?
Private companies have a different set of guidelines and standards they are required to follow. The American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) require private companies to accommodate those with recognized disabilities. Even companies that are not required to comply with Section 508 could be targeted in violation of the ADA if disabled users can’t access digital content.