The decision of whether to host your own web server or seek web hosting facilities outside the agency or division will play a large role in determining the capabilities available to you. A thorough study based on the principles outlined in this Best Practice will aid you in matching the wants, needs, and expectations for your website against the web hosting possibilities. Agencies are encouraged to investigate the resources of the Ohio Server Project during this phase. Write a Mission Statement - The single most critical step in planning for a website is the construction of a mission statement to describe the purpose of the website and its intended audience. This mission statement will play a large part in all decisions.
Websites serve varied and broad interests.
As a result, many websites go too many directions at the same time, confuse the user and, ultimately, fail to fulfill their purpose. Careful planning can help avoid this problem. All of this makes the need for a written mission statement very important. At this stage, don't limit your thinking. Even if the agency can't implement an idea today, it might be possible down the road.