What You Can Do With The Web

Introduction

Why You Need A
  Website

What Government
  Is Doing

What HUD's Done

What You Can Do

Bottom Line

We want to tell you a bit about the history of HUD's website so we can share some of the lessons we've learned first-hand.

• First HUD website posted April 1995

• First job of Web Manager: define the purpose of the website
  • Did that by talking to people to find out what they think HUD should do with the web
  • Then wrote statement of purpose: HUD's Homes and Communities Page is a clearinghouse of information and services about homes and communities for citizens and for our current and potential business partners. It's designed to empower citizens and business partners by giving them what they want, when they want it, in ways that make sense to them, so they can solve their own problems and achieve their objectives.

• It is essential that you decide--from the beginning--what the purpose of your website will be and then let everyone know.
  • It will help your organization keep focused
  • And if that purpose changes over time, make sure you adjust your focus

• HUD's first website had about 5 pages

Home Page version 1 -- March 1995
Home Page version 4 -- May 13, 1996
Home Page version 6 -- February 1999
Current Home Page, version 9.2 -- March 2005

• Many, many lessons learned along the way!
  • Don't put up "under construction"
  • Icons that don't have meaning to everyone are a waste of page "weight"
  • Be careful about using fancy technologies…just because you can do it doesn't mean you should
  • Don't put important links up in the masthead…people may miss them
  • There is such a thing as being too "lean and clean" - if your visitors have to click too many times to get to what they want
  • Try to get as much content on your front page as possible…but be cautious about overwhelming your visitors