subject: The Role Of A Web Architect And How To Find A Good One [print this page] Many people have no idea what a web architect is. It's all the same to them - web designers, web architects, web editors, site administrator, and etcetera. However, as in other fields, these roles are very distinct from one another. If you are interested in having your own website built, it would be a good idea to know at least who does what in the world of website creation.
Web architects play a huge role in the planning stage of a website much like a building architect is. They are the ones who define the layout and structure of the website, including how a site visitor gets from one page to another. Web architects must keep in mind the goals and objectives of the site and see to it that the website design meets client requirements.
Aside from building the framework of the website, a good website architect also helps in figuring out several important aspects of a website such as the type or style of the website to be built (i.e. will it focus on e-commerce or customer service?); the kind of content the site will have (static versus dynamic), the source of content and how the site will be updated or maintained.
The ideal website architect is, obviously, someone who has excellent organization skills and a solid experience in web design since he or she will organize the site's structure and layout. Having strong communication and interpersonal skills will also serve a website architect well because consultations with website owners are integral at this stage, particularly during the presentation of the web site prototype.
However, these skills are not always evident so one of the best ways to find a good web architect is to look at their previous work. Are the websites they worked on before look completely unoriginal and have the same look like they all came from a template? Chances are you're right so it is better to look for another architect.
You should also get in touch with your prospect web architect. You can tell a lot about a person's work ethic and attitude judging by how he or she responds to your inquiries. Don't forget to ask for references and contact them to find out more about their experience working with your prospect. Keep in mind that a website is a major investment so you want to get someone who will make it worthwhile.
