Raising the standard of websites worldwide: BSI and Magus launch a new specification

BSI British Standards and UK web compliance expert Magus, recently launched at Internet World a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) which aims to improve the effectiveness of corporate websites through a new best practice approach to the application and management of website standards. PAS 124: “Defining, implementing and managing website standards” is available for download from today from the link below.

Simon Lande, CEO of Magus, commented: “As the web continues to develop as a critical business medium, so does the importance of maximising website effectiveness. But our experience shows that businesses are actually reducing the impact and value of their web presence, despite the millions invested each year, because they are not implementing website standards successfully.”

The specification is organised around the three key processes of effective website management: defining, implementing and managing website standards. The standards definition process is supported by a detailed guide to the categories of website standards that organisations need to consider. The key business benefits for managing websites within the PAS 124 framework include:

- Brand protection: reinforcement of the brand online by ensuring consistency of brand presentation and messaging; protection of the brand and company reputation by ensuring a consistent, high quality user experience.
- Risk management: minimisation of online risk through compliance with legislative requirements; securing appropriate protection of intellectual property under a defined legal jurisdiction.
- Improved financial return: protection of investment in web-related projects by ensuring quality and performance is maintained; reduction of development and maintenance costs; provision of access to the widest possible market, by ensuring compliance with accessibility guidelines and compatibility with target user platforms; and optimisation for targeted customer acquisition due to the effective localisation of content.
- Improved workflow: reduction of time to market for web projects through streamlined development and maintenance processes; communication and enforcement of best practice across web teams and the organisation as a whole.
- Performance measurement: provision of objective targets against which performance can be tracked and measured.

The specification was developed by UK web compliance expert Magus Ltd, in collaboration with BSI British Standards. It was reviewed by a Steering Group of independent experts from across the industry and put out to public consultation. The Steering Group included experts from Shell, Unilever, the Institute of Directors, Interbrand, SDL, The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA).

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