Creating consistent design elements across web platforms is at the heart of maintaining an online presence. Every business, not-for-profit, and volunteer organization requires intentional designers to think across website and social media channels. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal contexts is vital for the success and advancement of maintaining an online presence.

This textbook will take you through these stages from planning, development, and implementation to completion. Part 1 focuses on defining an online presence as well as discusses some of the privacy and security implications that exist for businesses online. Design development is discussed in part 2, where professional branding meets design thinking. Using content to drive layout and human-centred design strategy, part 3 of this textbook addresses key ideas in website design. Finally, best practices for integrating a business brand and creating community in the social media landscape are discussed in part 4.

A potential customer will often have their first experience with your online presence. If it is not communicated clearly and promoted effectively to the right audience, it will not become a reality. Moving a design from concept to completion involves many stages (see Figure 1), most of which require clear communication and effective design skills.

Maintaining an Online Presence introduces the key elements of digital privacy, branding, website creation, collaboration, and research skills needed to communicate an effective look an feel for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Image Description

Figure 1 image detailed description:

Maintaining an Online Presence goes through 4 stages in the design process.

1. 1. Pre-design Planning
      • Design requirements: identify needs, goals, and objectives.
      • Define one-liner: create context and do research.
      • Determine digital privacy consideration.
   2. Design Development
      • Propose a project (hypothetical or actual).
      • Develop branding materials.
      • Critique and perform market research on similar websites.
      • Create a website content wireframe.
      • Determine key messaging.
   3. Design Implementation
      • Write website content.
      • Create website.
      • Re-evaluate website content and design (on-going).
      • Write a social media marketing plan.
   4. Design Completion
      • Determine needs for lead-generation.
      • Perform an analysis of project file management.
      • On-going website maintenance needs.
      • Share brand/design on social media.

[Image to Figure 1]

“Building an online presence as a business, creative, professional, or contractor is a process more than a result. You’ll never feel like your presence is “done” or “perfect” because not only are online tools and platforms evolving constantly, but your brand will also go through changes over time. Just like we as humans improve, change, and grow, so will your online presence, messaging, values, design, and systems. Instead of feeling driven for perfection, feel driven for clarity and be open to (and hopefully even excited about) the idea of constant improvement.”

— Belle White, Founder @ Belle White Creative^[1]