This question relates to websites, but doesn't fit into any of the specialised forums. I hope here in Internet Industry is the right place.

Two associates and I - we run our own businesses and will collaborate on projects from time to time - have been discussing the role of people like us in the web industry. We provide solutions to web developers and their clients alike, via services that include coaching in web development processes and techniques, preparation of documentation, and strategic input.

Although we tend to have speciality areas of interest (which is why we collaborate) we've realised that what we do is too inclusive to describe purely as "writing", "training", "documentation" etc.

We've decided to adopt the term "website planner". It seems to have a valid place along with website developer, website designer, SEO consultant etc.

Wondering what other people think. Does anyone else already describe themselves as a website planner? Let's hear from you.

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James Bull
James Bull Consulting

Great question, but here is a catchy statement backing up your thoughts.

"You dream it we will plan it"
WebsitePlanner
Me I am a Website Dreamer and everything starts with a dream .But I like the concept "websitePlanner"

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http://www.AB32.com

Sounds too wimpy. Now "Website Developer" sounds mighty and professional. Planner? To closely related to "Wedding Planner".

I would say that it falls under the job description of "website developer". That description is part of the first stages of developing a website.

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This sounds similar to my old days as a programmer - This activity fit the Programmer-Analyst position. So maybe Web Developer-Analyst?

Conrad

If I get your gist, you are talking about the code side of things, less marketing and more technique

how about Web Techs Or Technical Web Designers

"You give us your ideas and we'll give you the code"

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James Bull, it looks like someone already beat you to "websiteplanner.com"... ;)

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Bill Hartzer's Blog

I think this is a very good idea. Not long ago we developed our own "plan" for our new website. I have been in website design for a little over eight years. I have to tell you getting your ideas on paper and getting them to flow isn't the easiest thing to do.

Now, I imagine someone without my experience who wants to get their ideas on paper for a developer who is too much the techie and not enough of a "people person" to really understand what they want. Instead, tries to sell them on "better" ideas from his techie point of view. Many times the person leaves not knowing exactly they are getting and not getting what they really wanted.

I think you fill a very definite need and if you explain the "pain" your company relieves I believe you will do very well.

Sounds to me like you're trying to define your "unique selling position." Good for you! As for the term planner, I don't think it has any special magic power to it. In other words it won't make any difference.

Select whatever DBA name you think best, including some reference to your specialty(s) (target market or area(s) of expertise/experience) to indicate your strengths, followed by Inc. The Inc. will add some clout and help shield your personal assets from legal issues.

I concur in that most businesses aren't familiar with all that goes into properly scoping a project. And few techies are properly potty-trained to understand and deal with scatter-brain business managers. Approach them the same as if you were out on your first date and you'll do fine.

I know, already found that out. And a few other varaiations are taken too, but not by website planners it seems. Have registered "webplanner.com.au" which is OK.

Thanks all for your feedback so far.

Can't and won't call ourselves "web developers", because we're not. We work with web development companies who sometimes do not have in-house people with the right business/analytical/writing skills to communicate with non-technical business people.

The thrust of what we do is the overall process and deliverables involved in planning a website, from the time the client first discusses the project through development and into ongoing management and review.

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James Bull
James Bull Consulting

James,

a good post.

just over two years ago I started scratching out a comprehensive approach to SEO led search engine marketing. I came up with this idea:

Search engine marketing over site

You'll see Stage 1 is heavily involved in planning. I call that stage Pre-Site. That is all the things you do prior to touching a website. I would be very interested in your comments on the stage and the transition to Stage 2.

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Thanks David. I'll have a look at this and respond by email.

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James Bull
James Bull Consulting

Interesting concept.

If you target the right market you can brand yourself as a "Website Planner".

All you have to do is target the right market and enforce your message. But I guess you know that already as a planner :).

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I'm finding that "Web Presence Consulting" is an interesting and useful moniker. Allows a lot of breadth from blogging to zines... also allows for a lot of flexibility. I can code, but don't want to... be happy to point a client to someone who does. Same thing for databases, graphics design, SEO and more.

My value add is not in doing the stuff, it's in knowing where stuff can be found...

I do presentations to groups, and work with people on an individual basis.


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Ron http://www.chalicemedia.com Distributed Creative Content Architecture

Sounds like a Web Project Manager to me. I used to work as a project manager at a game company and you seem to be describing that job fairly well.

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Jane Noel
http://www.InWestmoreland.com
Westmoreland County PA's Business Directory

I fit that, and I've seen others here too, under the 'Internet Consultant' banner.

Website co-ordinator is another one I've heard.

I did think of using website planning but didn't want to limit it as there is a need to consider more than just the site in the big picture for any business or enterprise.

Nice niche though if you can find the market for it.

I'd be interested in finding out how others out there source that market. I keep trying to focus more into that area however end up sliding back into basic design work over and over.

Great topic!

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Ron Boyd
website consulting (design, optimization, marketing) :: Follow Me: @orionsweb

Agree, up to a point...we could write the specs then the client could go and choose a web developer and do their own project management.

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James Bull
James Bull Consulting

Thanks Orion...you're right, there is more to consider than just the site.

Even saying "just the site" can be interpreted as meaning the whole range of activities and business issues that occur during the life of the site: SEO, site maintenance, adding new content, regular reviews, new functionality, marketing strategy input, etc. etc. until you go full cycle and start building a new site to replace the old one.

I think the answer is to say that planning can include the total process, rather than the one-off project of creating the site.

No single person (or even business perhaps) can have all the skills, so part of the job of the planner is to recognise when to call on specialists.

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James Bull
James Bull Consulting

It's already been said and i agree that "planner" simply does not do it justice.

What about "Website Consultants" or "Website Development Architects" or Website Strategists"?

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African Adventure Directory, SEO South Africa, Internet Marketing Blog

Hmmm...maybe...I'm a bit wary of calling myself a consultant (although my business name is James Bull Consulting) or a strategist. "Website development architect" could be confused with Information Architect.

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James Bull
James Bull Consulting

Internet Specalist

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No trees were harmed in the making or sending of this message.
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Hope that is a perma link, since I linked to the map.

Or web site engineer or more generally digital engineer.

eProperty: designer, architect, consultant, constructor?

More towns in Belgium?

Today I thought of posting a new post at the Norwegian W3Schools forum, one of the best on the XML famiy of technologies.

The title of the post is:

"Let us play the name space game."

Related to XML that is not trivial. Before I post there, take these points:

• What is the purpose of a name space in XML documents?
• What is a default name space?
• Can you have more than one default name space in an XML document?
• Where can name spaces be defined?
• What does it mean that a name space is a logical name?
• What is a private name space?
• How are attributes related to namespaces.
• What is your comment to the following Rule: If you can, avoid using name spaces, don't use them. But if you have to use name spaces, do not use a default name space. Qualify names by using QNames.
• What is name space scope?
• This is an xml name space:
  
  
  Code:

  <xlink: xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">

  and this is another:
  
  
  Code:

  <xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">

  What is the difference between the two?
• What is special about xml and xmlns in xml documents?
• Give an example of a name space defined on an attribute.
• What is a QName (qualified name) regarding name spaces?
• What does it mean that a name space is composed of a prefix and a local name? Give an example.
• As explaned above, this
  
  
  Code:

  <xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">

  is an example of how a name space is defined. What happens if millions of users start to use that name space? Will the W3C server break down?
• Are there errors in the questions?

Links:

Namespaces in XML 1.0

The "xml:" Namespace

XML Linking Language (XLink) Version 1.0

If you have more than 90 % of the questions correct, you qualify as a web 2.0 engineer after my definition, at least as a web 2.0 name space engineer.

My bolding.

A natural follow up could have centered around XMLSchema, XLink and XSL(T).

Example, why may technologies like XML, XMLSchema and Xlink be of great benefit to large companies?

What is a native XML (NXD) data base? What are the pro and cons versus traditional relational SQL databases? Say something about document handling in such databases? Can you explain the main features of an object oriented database? If you use the DOM API to manipulate documents in an NXD database, does that make it object oriented?

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Web producer/website producer/assistant web producer ?