Re: AIS website, John's Worksheet for web design

[Paul W Gossett <pwgossett@juno.com>]

John,

I am working on mine too.

Paul

On Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:11:26 -0700 (GMT-07:00) Jill Bonino
<aistreas@earthlink.net> writes:
> Thanks, John & Bob.  I am working on my thoughts and will send an 
> attachment
> with my answers on your form to your regular email, John, since I 
> can't attach
> it in AISDiscuss.  Hope that works.  Look for it tonight or 
> tomorrow...
> 
> Jill
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Robert Pries <robertpries@embarqmail.com>
> >Sent: Oct 2, 2008 9:49 AM
> >To: AISdiscuss <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
> >Subject: [AISdiscuss] AIS website, John's Worksheet for web design
> >
> >B I think it would be helpful for everyone that can make comments 
> on John's
> >web site design. I pasted my responses in this message they are in 
> blue or
> >red. Perhaps this will stimulate some discussion. See Below.
> >
> >Creative Worksheet for Web Site Redesign
> >
> >
> >
> >Date:
> >B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B 
> B B B B
> B
> > B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B 
> B B B B B
> >B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B 
> B B B B
> B
> > B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B B
> >
> >
> >
> >Client: American Iris Society, Bob Pries
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >A. B  OBJECTIVE
> >
> >
> >
> >1. What do you want to accomplish with the web site redesign? What 
> are your
> >specific goals?
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  Attract new members and service existing 
> members.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  To gain and hold members from web one needs to 
> have
> >interactive activities that create participation in the society 
> over the
> >internet.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. Which of the following are important to you:
> >
> >
> >
> >X_ _ Developing a web strategy that supports your corporate and/or 
> marketing
> >strategy
> >
> >
> >
> >__ Repurposing existing content (such as brochures, data sheets)
> >
> >
> >
> >X_ _ Creating a community of dedicated repeat visitors
> >
> >
> >
> >X_ _ Quality execution (graphics, writing, navigation, etc.)
> >
> >
> >
> >__ Ease of maintenance
> >
> >
> >
> >__ Ability to make changes in-house
> >
> >
> >
> >__ Doing better than your competitors on the Web
> >
> >
> >
> >__ Demonstrating that you know the Web and use it appropriately
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >3. How do you currently promote your site and encourage people to 
> visit it?
> >
> >
> >
> >Google Adwords, Notes in Bulletin
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B  B. B  TARGET AUDIENCE
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. B  How do you currently get your patients/clients? How do they 
> learn
> about
> >you?
> >
> >
> >
> >Mostly local Iris Shows and Sales. We would like to get new members 
> from
> >website, presently we have no data on how many are new joining from 
> website
> or
> >are renewals.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. B  What types of visitors do you want to attract to your site? B
> Describe
> >your ideal visitor(s).
> >
> >
> >
> >Serious gardeners who might join and support Iris Society
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >3. What are the main concerns of your target audience?
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  How to grow and choose Iris for their garden.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  How to celebrate their successes
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >4. How does your web site currently address those concerns?
> >
> >
> >
> >It doesn't. Only peripherally by displaying award winners.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >5. B  What does your web site currently offer that is of value to 
> visitors? B
> >
> >
> >
> >It is a great reference for phone numbers and e-mail addresses for
> conducting
> >business within the society. It is weak on other content. It 
> provides some
> >limited historical data, some information on showing irises in the 
> toolbox,
> >and the corporate actions of the society including minutes (dull 
> but
> >necessary).
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >6. What additional content can you add to your web site to provide 
> even more
> >value to visitors?
> >
> >
> >
> >1. An overall discussion of the diversity that makes up the 
> horticultural
> >groups. What are the types of Iris and how do you grow them? Is 
> probably the
> >main reason why a new visitor might come to the website. I doubt 
> many people
> >come looking for joining a society.
> >
> >
> >
> >2. Frequently Asked questions/ answers-----I would suggest a list 
> of
> contacts
> >who would be willing to answer questions for their local area
> >
> >
> >
> >3. A calendar of events, showing time place of local meetings sales 
> etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >4. A wikki providing the opportunity to share photos and 
> information on
> >different cultivars. This could develop into an encyclopedic 
> reference and a
> >fun interchange.
> >
> >
> >
> >5. A chance to vote online for favorite Irises, (Symposium for 
> visitors,
> >Symposium for members, Ballot for judges)
> >
> >
> >
> >6. Award winners with photos and cultural information
> >
> >
> >
> >7. Initial courses to become a judge,
> >
> >
> >
> >8. Seminars on Iris topics.
> >
> >
> >
> >Note, even though not all of these things can be accomplished at 
> once they
> >should be part of a plan for the future . Also as we decline in 
> membership
> the
> >net may need to take over many responsibilities that can no longer 
> be
> >affordable to be done in the bulletin. A large complex site must 
> have good
> >navigation so one can spend a short time at the site.
> >
> >C. CONTEXT ANALYSIS
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. B  What is the context for your company in terms of your 
> industrybs
> >history and the current industry situation? B
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  The society like most plant societies is in 
> decline, as
> >measured by loss of membership. AIS used to be important in 
> providing
> sources
> >for Iris, but this function has been taken over by the internet. 
> Currently
> we
> >provide little information that is not available elsewhere on the 
> net. We
> >offer no guidance on selecting plants.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  Iris are not currently considered "hot" 
> perennial plants
> >in the landscaping/nursery trade.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  AIS is the worlds registrar for Iris varieties 
> and an
> >archive of Iris information both scientific and historical.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  Although the stated goal of the society is to 
> promote
> Iris
> >we do practically no advertising accept for website and shows.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. Who are your main competitors?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >There is no competition except for other special interest plant 
> societies.
> It
> >is likely that other plant societies actually expand every ones 
> market by
> >enlarging the pie of horticultural interest. It is possible that 
> groups
> could
> >tackle common problems together.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >Our most difficult competition is from Omnibus sites claiming to 
> tell one
> >everything they need to know about gardening but lack the expertise 
> of the
> >specialist societies.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >3. How do you compare to your competitorsbboth strengths and 
> weaknesses?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >We are one of the leading plant societies. All suffer from the same 
> problems
> >and none have yet developed a winning strategy. Each has parts that 
> they do
> >well. Recently other plant societies have been moving more 
> aggressively on
> >their virtual presence. AIS is about 2 years or more behind other 
> groups in
> >internet sophistication.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >The omnibus sites are often the most visited when one googles a 
> specific
> type
> >of Iris or cultivar. We do not have this type of information up on 
> the net
> and
> >are loosing our natural place on the net as a expert resource on 
> Iris.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B  D. COMPANY PROFILE / UNIQUE MESSAGES
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. B  Main benefit: What are the major products/services offered by 
> your
> >company? B
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >Information and fellowship around Iris. Our most important service 
> is
> >maintaining the Iris registration. This is an esoteric benefit not
> understood
> >by many gardeners.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. B  How do they benefit your patients/clients? What problems do 
> you solve
> >for them?
> >
> >
> >
> >Everyone benefits from the registration system by not having 
> different
> plants
> >with the same name or vice-versa. It was the driving force for the 
> formation
> >of AIS.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >The society can broaden the knowledge of the diversity of Iris and 
> help them
> >find the best and the most interesting plants for their garden.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >3. B  Secondary benefits: B  What are the other selling points of 
> your
> >company/practice?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  The society is a repository of information 
> about Iris
> and
> >a source of fellowship in sharing that information.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  The society aids in the exchange of plant 
> material
> through
> >Iris sales, passalongs, etc. especially at the local affiliate 
> level. This
> >aids members in finding new and rare Iris plants.
> >
> >
> >
> >B7 B B B B B B B B  AIS makes modest contributions to research on 
> Iris
> helping
> >to maintain a connection between current science and our membership 
> .
> Although
> >a primary mission of the society according to our bylaws we are not 
> the
> >sophisticated scientific group that we were at one time.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >4. How would you describe your companybs personality? Compared to 
> the
> >competition? Stodgy, slow to act, mostly reactive, rarely 
> proactive.
> Generally
> >officers and members have no goals set for the society that have 
> been
> >communicated effectively throughout the society. B  We are a group 
> of
> >individualists doing our own thing and have trouble working as a 
> group.
> Other
> >plant societies have similar problems.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >5. What key message(s) do you want visitors to take away from the 
> site?
> >
> >
> >
> >B B B B  Irises are beautiful and interesting plants that can be 
> enjoyed to
> an
> >even greater degree through participation in the Iris society. It 
> is worth
> >supporting the Iris society to maintain the task of registration.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >6. B  What action do you want from visitors to the site?
> >
> >
> >
> >B B B B  Support for the society.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B  E. CURRENT SITE ANALYSIS
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. What do like about your current site? B  What is working well?
> >
> >
> >
> >It is an excellent reference for links to other sites and as phone 
> book. We
> do
> >a good job of sending someone somewhere else.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. B  What do you want to change about your current site? B  What 
> is not
> >working?
> >
> >
> >
> >First page of website is not intriguing to make one want to explore 
> further.
> >Site is not exciting. It does not bring visitor into site with 
> compelling
> >photos and information. Presently the site has few pictures and is 
> difficult
> >to navigate. Navigation is not intuitive. Site needs more 
> interactive
> >activities;
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B  F. COMPARATIVE SITE TOUR
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >(The more thought you can put into this section, the more your site 
> will
> >benefit.)
> >
> >
> >
> >1. Please list your favorite web sites and their urls. What do you 
> like
> about
> >them?
> >
> >
> >
> >Following other sites is not a recipe for being a leader, but only 
> a program
> >for being a me to. I have yet to see a Plant Society site that 
> works great,
> >perhaps this is why they are all failing. Few really try to create 
> a virtual
> >community, or have any interaction that could bring in members from 
> their
> >websites. Most do not do well on all counts but may have good 
> points here
> and
> >there.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >Competitive site is Dave's Garden where currently people can find 
> more
> >information about Iris cultivars than on the AIS site even though 
> it is
> >generally not particularly good information. See
> >http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/ The Iris Society is forfeiting 
> its natural
> >function as Iris information source by not acting.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >The Rose Society has a search function for finding their local 
> affiliates at
> >http://www.ars.org/Districts/findsociety.html and a Shopping area 
> for unique
> >products at http://www.ars.org/index.php B B  Two features that 
> would
> enhance
> >the AIS website.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >The Passion Flower society offers a way to ask questions
> >http://www.passiflora.org/contact/ and a way to make contributions
> >http://www.passiflora.org/contributions/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >The Daffodil Society offers a frequently asked question page
> >http://www.daffodilusa.org/daffodils/faq.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >Several Plant societies offer a way of verifying information on 
> cultivars
> >including pictures see Daffodil Society http://daffseek.org/ or 
> Hemerocallis
> >Society http://www.daylilies.org/DaylilyDB/ or Pacific Bulb Society
> >http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/HomePage. The 
> Iris
> Society
> >could provide something similar with a wikki. This would be 
> monitored but
> >created by members and would be a fun way for them to show off 
> photos and
> >horticultural prowess.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. Please list the urls of your competitorsb web sites. What do 
> you think
> is
> >effective about each of their sites? What doesn't work well?
> >
> >
> >
> >The Daylily Society has a very attractive front page that changes 
> each time
> >one goes to it with a different picture. It also has a rich set of
> >navigational tools that link to the parts of the sight. The 
> Daffodil Society
> >has done a nice job of clustering their navigation links into 
> topics that
> are
> >clear. On our present site links are in non intuitive clusters.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >3. Please find and list the urls for some high-quality web sites 
> that
> >exemplify what you would like to see for your site in the following 
> areas:
> >
> >
> >
> >- appeal to same target group of customers B
> >
> >
> >
> >http://www.daylilies.org/- colors, Has a nice first page which 
> changes each
> >time one returns to it
> >
> >
> >
> >- colors, look-and-feel, user interface, layout
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >- size of site
> >
> >
> >
> >If we are going to develop a virtual Iris Society we are going to 
> have a
> >massive site but if it is well organized it need not be 
> intimidating .
> >
> >
> >
> >- quality of content
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >- quality of graphics
> >
> >G. CONTENT / LOOK & FEEL
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. What exiting content do you want to keep in the redesign?
> >
> >
> >
> >I would not eliminate any portion of the present website but 
> rearrange or
> >modify and add to it.
> >
> >
> >
> >2. B  What specific contentbtext and graphicsbcan be added to 
> your site to
> >attract visitors?
> >
> >
> >
> >Initial pages could have more pictures and be clearer on directing 
> to areas
> of
> >interest. A short selling statement on behalf of the society would 
> be
> >appropriate. Presently we ask for someone to join but give them no 
> reasons
> or
> >benefits .
> >
> >
> >
> >3. What existing content supports the main message(s) you want to
> communicate?
> >
> >B  Areas speaking to activities of the society help encourage 
> membership,
> >example AIS toolbox, info on conventions, etc. Award Winners speaks 
> to
> >choosing iris but does not provide pictures.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >4. Does additional content need to be added to support your main 
> message(s)?
> >
> >
> >
> >Definitely
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >5. B  What image do you wish to convey for your practice/company 
> through
> this
> >site?
> >
> >
> >
> >A serious plant society working to promote and improve Iris while 
> having fun
> >doing so.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >6. B  Are there any design elements (logos, fonts, images, colors, 
> etc.)
> that
> >should be retained to maintain consistency in your corporate image?
> >
> >
> >
> >No
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >7. Are there cultural factors that will affect the interface design 
> (i.e.,
> >language issues, age level)?
> >
> >
> >
> >Elderly population of members
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >8. Are there any legal issues that need to be considered when 
> redesigning
> the
> >site?
> >
> >
> >
> >Depends
> >
> >H. INFORMATION STRUCTURE / FUNCTIONALITY
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. What are the major content areas (i.e., About the Company,
> >Products/Services, Client List, Portfolio of Work, Contact Us. 
> etc.) on your
> >existing site.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >1. Links and phone numbers of Officers, related organizations, 
> sources
> >
> >
> >
> >2. Iris Registration Lookup
> >
> >
> >
> >3. Society business, minutes, etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >4. Society activities.
> >
> >
> >
> >5. Iris information, Award Winners etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. Under the major content areas, there are often sub-areas (i.e., 
> under
> >bAbout the Company,b could be history, management, press 
> releases,
> >licenses/patents held, etc.). Please list any sub-areas currently 
> on your
> >site.
> >
> >
> >
> >We were supposed to have a private area for garden writers with 
> press
> releases
> >but this has not been achieved
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >3. What additions and/or changes, if any, do you want to make to 
> the basic
> >structure (main content areas and sub-areas)?
> >
> >
> >
> >Perhaps members only area, with archived bulletins etc.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >4. How often do you need to update the information on your site or 
> add new
> >information?
> >
> >
> >
> >at least twice a year. For phone numbers and e-mail addresses. 
> Contact
> >information would be best if replied to quickly.
> >
> >
> >
> >5. Do you want or need to be able to do this yourself in-house?
> >
> >
> >
> >B B B B  In House
> >
> >
> >
> >6. Do you want to collect data from visitors, for example by having 
> them
> >register to enter certain areas?
> >
> >
> >
> >B  It would be beneficial for understanding what new visitors find 
> of
> >interest. We had the ability to do this with Adwords but found it 
> too much
> >work
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >7. Do you want to have links to other sites? If so, which ones?
> >
> >
> >
> >B B B B  Many, most already present.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >8. Please list any other special functional requirements for your 
> site (such
> >as, download areas, e-commerce shopping cart, registration forms, 
> links to
> >PDFs).
> >
> >
> >
> >B  1 . The wikki will need to be a special area
> >
> >
> >
> >2. The ability to join as is done presently .requires a special 
> area
> >
> >
> >
> >3. If we are to sell things online we need a shopping cart. Maybe 
> this would
> >be planned for future.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >9. Who is currently hosting your web site?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >10. What is the user name and password to access and upload files 
> to your
> >current site?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >11. B  Are you happy with your current web hosting company and can 
> they
> >support your future requirements, or will you need to get a new 
> one?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >12. Who currently updates and maintains the site contents? And do 
> you want
> >them to continue to do so?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >
> >
> >B  I. B  CONTACTS / APPROVALS
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. B  Who is the reference source for further information on this 
> project?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. B  Who needs to approve the design and content for the web site 
> redesign?
> >
> >
> >
> >AIS Board
> >
> >
> >
> >3. B  In scheduling approvals, on what dates will key people be 
> unavailable?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B  J. B  SCHEDULE
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >1. B  What is the desired completion date for this project?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >B
> >
> >2. Are there any industry, client or product-release events to 
> consider when
> >scheduling this project?
> >
> >---------------------------------------------------------------------
> >To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
> ><aissecretary@irises.org>
> >The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
> >http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
> <aissecretary@irises.org>
> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
> http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
> 

____________________________________________________________
Click here to find the perfect picture with our powerful photo search features.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3mDcGB89RhNeWwTdpJ5amGIziUHbbdVxnAgvnklZ3nqp2IQp/

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
<aissecretary@irises.org>
The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/