Websites, like your business, are ongoing concerns. So don’t think of a redesign as ever completely done, rather just a significant evolution of your company’s web presence. When considering requirements for the current project it is important to consider future business initiatives, product lifecycles, and infrastructure requirements outside the scope of the current project. Designing a successful user experience that ties together the multiple product lines, customer segments, and solution messaging can unravel if two months after the redesign a major acquisition changes the whole equation. Significant product launches may be served if the new website’s information architecture is built to be extensible. Prior to the kick off meeting think about where you want your website to be in two years and be prepared to consider:

• Do you have plans for international expansion?
• Is there a major product launch on the horizon?
• Do you plan to add a forum, community, blog or other social media?
• Is there a desire to add a Content Management System?