You don't implement technology just because it's new or cool. If you don't know you want to acheive, then there is no technology that can provide the solution.
These days it seems like everyone thinks technology is the answer to a business's problems. That implementing technologies like Ajax or SharePoint will make the business run better or provide information to clients and website visitors faster. Maybe they are right, maybe these new technical platforms or approaches are the right choice, but the right choice for what? Technology is an enabler, it enables a business to solve a problem or satisfy a need. If the business doesn't know what the problem is or what their needs are, then how do they know what technical solution needs to be implemented?
Long before you start looking at technology start looking at what your business requirements are, what your business strategy is. To help do this, define a roadmap that outlines the business strategy. What are you trying to achieve, when do you need to achieve it, who is it for? A web strategy is part of this overall roadmap (a slice of the pie so to speak). Why are you going online? To sell products? To market products and services? To inform visitors of important information related to your business? Know what the web strategy is, what the roadmap for the next year to three years will look like. Then start thinking about technical solutions.
Sometimes it’s better to let a technology age a bit before jumping on the bandwagon. Or at least test drive it to be sure it really is the best solution (prototypes are great). Supporting the web strategy/roadmap is the technology strategy and roadmap. It’s the crushed stone under the pavement; the flour in the pie crust.
Technology doesn’t need to be seen, and it should not be the focus of any business strategy. If you don’t know your business plan, then you don’t need technology.
