This stage focuses on anything that requires automatic transfer, manipulation or modification of data in response to user actions.

These actions could be as simple as voting for a favorite color, or as complex as displaying content targeted to a visitor’s specific preferences.

ESSENTIAL VS BURDEN-RELIEF

Since each functionality takes time to develop and fine-tune, I categorize each as either essential or burden-relief.  If the purpose of your site is for users to upload and rate videos, then that functionality is ESSENTIAL.  A BURDEN-RELIEF functionality is something that can either be done by a staff member, or postponed altogether, but is not necessary in order for your site to go live.

LEARNING CURVE

While any interface must be intuitive and efficient for those who use it, functions which are to be used by only you and your staff on a regular basis can allow for a steeper learning curve, assuming you will take a few days to get to know the system.

However, when functions are designed for people with a wire range of needs, experience, and familiarity with your site, the learning curve must be as low as possible, if it exists at all.

3RD PARTY VS CUSTOM

It’s important to know when to use an existing, 3rd party software, and when to build your own from scratch.  3rd party software can help you launch quickly, but can cripple your site if you need to scale or make significant changes.  Custom-building your functions can ensure every single need is met, but can result in a costly and time-consuming development process.

Careful consideration along these lines must be given to each functionality.