These are by no way definitive, just a suggestion to get you on your way.

1. Set a target

What is the point of the project and what are your clients’ goals? Is it to rise visitor numbers? Increase dwell time on the site? Defining the goals with a client is key to keeping the project focused.

2. Be ambitious, but realistic

Does your client really need augmented reality to sell a pen? Wouldn’t it be better to build a tool that showed how the pen writes, before making a purchase?

3. Plan, plan and plan some more

A project WILL fail through lack of planing – it may get finished, but it will miss the target without proper planing. Every project should go through a wireframing process, with client sign off before moving onto design.

4. Don’t confuse your client

Even with a very technical project, keep it simple for the client. You will not gain any respect for using big words. Stop playing buzz-word bingo, speak in plain terms.

5. Client sign off

Make sure you get the client to sign off each and every stage of the project.

6. Don’t treat it like a print project

If you’ve got experience of running/working on print projects, put that experience to one side. Every aspect, from timings and resources to deliverables and required skills are different.

7. Choose the right technology

HTML, FLASH, jQuery, ASP, PHP? Each technology has it’s place, and you need to have an understanding of what each can offer and its limitations.

8. Testing 1, 2, 3…

Always allow time in your project plan for testing, no matter how small the site.

9. Publicise your project

Proud of what you’ve just done? You should be, so why not tell everyone about it? It brings publicity to your clients new site and to those involved with the project. Everyone’s a winner.

10. Did you hit your target?

After the dust has settled, the Champaign glasses cleaned, arrange a meeting with your client to discuss the results of the project – maybe a couple of months down the line. It could also be a great way to pitch new ideas and get your client excited about future work.