Site entropy can work it’s way in to a site even before it is launched. The process of creating a web site involves a variety of skillsets. More often than not, this means a variety of people—designers, developers, coders and so on—each with their own take on web site creation theory. That unique font the designer spent hours selecting turns into Arial, because the developer thinks all text should be readable by search engines or screen readers. The developer has to make layout changes because the layout the designer created, would cause the project to go over budget.

Some sites seem to be built solely for search engines and search egines have never been know for their good visual taste. Others, soley for those with the latest computers and a T1 line plugged right into it. Often project requirements are added, causing some degradation in the overall site design.

This can be the ultimate clash of left brain vs. right brain.

What can be done to prevent this pre-launch erosion? Here’s a few things…

1. Choose a designer that specializes in web site design. Find a person or company that has experience with the various aspects of creating a web site such as interactive design, usability, information architecture, programming, and project management.
2. Make sure the scope of the project is as accurate and as complete as possible before the initial concepts are laid out. Nothing throws a wrench in design like trying to cram things into a layout at the last minute. If scalability is important, it should be in the scope of the project.
3. Have a clear purpose statement for your site. Not the generic, “I want to make money,” or “I want people to find it,” but a well thought out, realistic purpose. Once you have that purpose, test everything on your site against it. If it doesn’t not meet that purpose directly or at least indirectly, get rid of it. This will keep out disjointed items and things that can get in the way of reaching your goals.
4. Remember that your site is not for you. It is for your audience. Think in terms of how they will see it, and use it.