Product (website) Roadmapping

[Snoopjiggyjigg]

Hey

I am looking to get a new start up started. I have had websites built in the past in my current job, but always seem to miss out on key things and it's not really my skillset to plan out a website. I have the idea of what I want in my head, but don't really know how to roadmap it.

Any recommendations on software to use, useful tips or businesses that won't charge the earth to get this sorted?

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

You could consider building something yourself using WordPress. There are lots of free themes and plugins to get started with and plenty of blogs/video turorials. If you are planning an ecommerce website then WooCommerce would be a good option on the WordPress CMS.

 

[Snoopjiggyjigg]

You could consider building something yourself using WordPress. There are lots of free themes and plugins to get started with and plenty of blogs/video turorials. If you are planning an ecommerce website then WooCommerce would be a good option on the WordPress CMS.

I have a few wordpress websites. What i'm looking at would be extremely difficult in Wordpress. I have a developer in mind, but I want to give them clear, concise instructions. I'm using inheritance money. so want to make sure I get it correct.

Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[TotalWebSolutions]

I have a few wordpress websites. What i'm looking at would be extremely difficult in Wordpress. I have a developer in mind, but I want to give them clear, concise instructions. I'm using inheritance money. so want to make sure I get it correct.

Thanks for your suggestion.

I see. In that case you are best researching several developers based on their ability to produce websites that match your requirements and then having a chat with them. Happy to put a name forward if you wish (drop me a PM).

 

[mattk]

I have a few wordpress websites. What i'm looking at would be extremely difficult in Wordpress. I have a developer in mind, but I want to give them clear, concise instructions. I'm using inheritance money. so want to make sure I get it correct.

Thanks for your suggestion.

My suggestion is to talk with your develop about what you are trying to achieve and what your objectives are, so discuss the what - rather than trying to tell them the technical solution, as in the how.

For example, rather than saying "I want my web site to have a chatbot" (the how) say "I want to minimise phonecall and emails" (the what).

This way you are most likely to hit your objectives and leverage the skills and experience of your developer.

The other piece of advice is to start small and work your way upwards. It is almost impossible to determine every piece of functionality you need from day one and once you go live you will notice yourself as well as receive feedback for improvements.

 

[Snoopjiggyjigg]

My suggestion is to talk with your develop about what you are trying to achieve and what your objectives are, so discuss the what - rather than trying to tell them the technical solution, as in the how.

For example, rather than saying "I want my web site to have a chatbot" (the how) say "I want to minimise phonecall and emails" (the what).

This way you are most likely to hit your objectives and leverage the skills and experience of your developer.

The other piece of advice is to start small and work your way upwards. It is almost impossible to determine every piece of functionality you need from day one and once you go live you will notice yourself as well as receive feedback for improvements.

Cheers Matt, makes sense. I suppose they are the experts so can focus on how to deliver it in a technical way.

 

[fisicx]

I have a few wordpress websites. What i'm looking at would be extremely difficult in Wordpress.

I bet it's not. Wordpress is just a container - you can put what ever you want in the container.

I have the idea of what I want in my head, but don't really know how to roadmap it.

Don't. Talk to a developer, discuss ideas and concepts and let them decide the best way to progress.

 

[Snoopjiggyjigg]

I bet it's not. Wordpress is just a container - you can put what ever you want in the container.


Don't. Talk to a developer, discuss ideas and concepts and let them decide the best way to progress.

It's more of a SaaS style website, which contains some video chat functions and stuff. Wordpress could do a lot of it but a good portion will need custom building

 

[fisicx]

Wordpress could do a lot of it but a good portion will need custom building

That's what a lot of us do for a living. Nothing complicated about integrating video chat into a wordpress site.

A quick google reveals a whole bunch of plugins that do just this.

 

[Snoopjiggyjigg]

That's what a lot of us do for a living. Nothing complicated about integrating video chat into a wordpress site.

A quick google reveals a whole bunch of plugins that do just this.

Yeah, I don't doubt it could handle it.

 

[fisicx]

Yeah, I don't doubt it could handle it.

Which is why you work with a developer.

Before even thinking about building a website, have you sorted out your marketing strategy? Have you identified target users and how you are going to market the service to them? Do you have a marketing budget?

A developer won't be able to help with this, they will just deliver the functionality. Without a marketing plan then your money will just be wasted.

 

[mattk]

It's more of a SaaS style website, which contains some video chat functions and stuff. Wordpress could do a lot of it but a good portion will need custom building

Just stay away from browser plugins, as these are often a showstopper for larger companies to roll out across their enterprise.

 

[Snoopjiggyjigg]

Which is why you work with a developer.

Before even thinking about building a website, have you sorted out your marketing strategy? Have you identified target users and how you are going to market the service to them? Do you have a marketing budget?

A developer won't be able to help with this, they will just deliver the functionality. Without a marketing plan then your money will just be wasted.

Yep. I've identified the developer. They have built a fairly similar site before, which was aimed at a different audience. But I want to make sure I get everything down onto paper correctly, so they understand my requirements. But the advice above sounds really good.

I work in quite a specific market at the moment and my aim is to break into the sector by targeting this market and some key demographics within it.

I have a small budget for marketing, but have key connections within it and the way the business works the clients I am working with will also market as it would benefit them.