Using audits to drive change, Mechanics Bank launched with a new CMS and an improved design that follows web best practices. Find out how. 

Thoughts from Blend Interactive

One of Blend’s core values is a dedication to advocacy and progress — to expand upon and give back to the community that fuels us. This is where those thoughts live.

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Chapter 18: Select an Integration Partner Off-site link

In many projects, you will engage with a services firm to install, configure, and customize a CMS to deliver the website you need.

January 16, 2020 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 16: Select a Content Management System Off-site link

Selecting a content management system (CMS) is a combination of research and vendor engagement. You need to identify prospective systems, investigate their capabilities, engage with the vendors for demonstrations or questions, and finally distill and synthesize all that information and come to a decision.

December 16, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 15: Determine System Requirements Off-site link

At this stage, you have enough information to draw up requirements for what you need in a content management system (CMS).

December 15, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 7: Know Your Content Off-site link

One of the challenges in rebuilding any website is figuring out what to do with the existing content. But before you can make any decisions, you simply need to know what it all is. And once it’s unearthed and exposed, then you need to decide what information is relevant and worth recording, determine a method to store this information, and decide how (or if ) you want to keep it updated over time.

August 15, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 6: Identify Outcomes and Expectations Off-site link

Your content and message – and your audiences – live on dozens of paths and hundreds of combinations. Understanding what they’re looking for when they access your project will have a large impact on the steps that follow.

July 16, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 5: Identify Your Audiences Off-site link

We build websites to prompt an action or convey information to humans. Who are your humans? What are their motivations?

July 15, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 4: Create a Project Plan Off-site link

Determine the true time scope of your project. When does it start (hint: right now, perhaps) and how will you choose someone to help through to the very end?

June 16, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 3: Form Your Project Team Off-site link

Web projects are shaped by the people involved in decision-making. You can help prevent latestage rework by making sure the right people are in the room from the beginning.

June 15, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 2: Set Your Expectations Off-site link

What does it mean to get started on this project? Let’s set a scope for what this project will include, as well as give some thought to what “success” means – and your realistic chances of achieving it.

May 16, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Chapter 1: Know the Scope of the Project Off-site link

So, we need a new website? The easy question is, “Now what?” The harder question is, “How did we get here?” Gain buy-in on the reasons behind a new project, define the problem in a way that gains traction, and avoid some early red flags along the way.

May 15, 2019 | The Web Project Guide

Beyond Blend.

Blend doesn’t just write here: we also write books, create videos, and dive deep into our individual disciplines. Check out some of our external sources of knowledge.

The Web Project Guide

A phase-by-phase look at the web design and development process, providing context to each step.

Coding with Bob

A YouTube series by our director of development, focusing on .NET coding and Optimizely development.

Eating Elephant

A blog about content strategy, information architecture, and understanding user needs.