A two-pillar approach to managing multiple websites

Website proliferation is a fact of life and ensuring that multiple sites adhere to the same infrastructure and policy guidelines requires a firm hand.

The web has become the medium of choice for publishing information and opening up online services to a huge range of audiences: customers, suppliers, employees, investors, the press and the public at large.

Each of these audiences has different (but often overlapping) needs in terms of the content and services they need to access. In order to meet the needs of each group in a more accurate and tailored way, many organisations now find themselves running a number of different web-based information systems, including websites, intranets, extranets, self service portals and microsites.

That may be good news for consumers of web-based content and services, but not for the people whose job it is to keep their organisation's numerous sites up-to-date and under control, without spiralling costs.

So what is the answer? A multiple website management strategy. This involves centralising the administration and control of technology infrastructure, while devolving responsibility for content and day-to-day operation of the individual websites.