Moondog Media : dogblog

I was wondering if you have any form you use as you work with people to set up the content that they want in the site during the design phase. Rather than than me trying to reinvent something poorly I would love any help or tools you could offer. – JL, Boulder, Co.

I don’t have any specific form that I use to gather content. I actually start by collecting brochures and existing content the client may have. Then I switch to journalist mode and start asking questions. Depending on the amount of content needed, this can be done easily over email, or a good sit-down. It’s different with every client.

A good way to come up with questions is to come up with a flowchart, or a list of pages you want on the site. Then begin with the W5 (who, what, where, when, why… and how!) for each page and then fill in the cracks with supporting questions. Also, keep your ears open during the interview just in case you should ask a question you didn’t intend to before.

If you do that, you’ll get the hang of it quickly. You’ll basically have plenty of notes, especially stuff that they would not have thought to tell you in the first place.