Most websites are disposable – they are built once and not changed until they are replaced or turned off. Frequently, this is despite the best intentions of the original owner, designer, or developer.
But some sites and applications are made to last – to be updated frequently as part of doing work, for weeks, months, or even years. These sites are an integrated part of a high-performing business or organization – one that can do a job well, and then adjust quickly to meet changing business needs.
In this talk, we will explore best practices that smart developers use when building things to last for years. In addition to technical design and development topics, we’ll cover some of the human factors that are at play in IT projects, especially when it comes to WordPress:
WordPress as a critical tool for business (not just as a workaround to IT policies)
Themes and plugins and custom development (how not to paint yourself into a corner)
Ownership through collaborative construction (how to avoid hand-offs that disappoint)