Managed web services, also known as “Managed Web” refers to a cost-effective, flexible approach to web marketing characterized by iterative releases, quality content and efficient communications. You can define project-based web services as the traditional, linear method of producing a website or organizing a web marketing campaign.
To help you understand the difference, we’ve designed a couple of charts that compare managed web with its predecessor, traditional project-based web services:
This is the second post of our three-part series on Managed Web Services. In our first post, we discussed the 5 reasons why managed web services might be better for your next web project. If you haven’t seen it already, please feel free to head back there and check it out (so you have a bit more context for the conversation).
Chart 1: Managed Web vs. Project-Based Web Services: Feature Comparison Table
| Managed Web Services | Project-Based Web Services | |
| Pace | Iterative | One and done |
| Project Management Type | Agile | Waterfall |
| Who is it good for? | + Mission-critical web services + Long-term web marketing initiatives + Companies that lack a full in-house web marketing team | + Non-essential web services + Microsites + Short-term campaigns with limited scope + Companies that have ample in-house resources, but need a little help for a specific project |
| Planning | Each project phase is submitted to a long-term vision that adapts to changing business objectives. | All discovery, content strategy and planning are complete at the outset and should not change throughout the course of the project. |
| Flexibility | Plans may adapt based on user feedback and data collected at the end of each phase. | Adaptations constitute a change in scope and require budget revisions and updates to the contract. |
| Custom Graphics, Photography & Video Support | Included | Dependent on project scope. |
| Security & Maintenance | Included | Separate service or cost option after launch. |
| Access to Expertise | Full spectrum of web marketing expertise available at any time | Team of experts preselected based on project scope. |
| Cost | Scales monthly (only pay for what you use) | Lump sum upfront investment. Monthly maintenance and follow-up services billed separately |
| Initial Release | Fast, but with limited features | Slow, but with all features in scope |
| Analytics Monitoring & Feedback | Included; informs the planning segment of each phase | Separate service or cost |
| New Content & Feature Development | Can be rapidly added to development pipeline and scheduled for next release at any time | Handled on a quote-to-quote basis. Timeline depends on ability to find a capable vendor with work capacity. |
Chart 2: Managed Web vs. Project-Based Web Services by Process
The primary difference in process is project management style. The cyclical nature of managed web services means that your website may start simple but will continually grow and evolve to keep step with your changing business needs.
In contrast, project-based web services has a clearly defined beginning and end, with maintenance or security monitoring typically sold as a separate service.
We’ll explore more about how iterative web design works in our next post, so check beck again with us soon.
Shameless Plug
Need help determining which type of web services would work best on your next project? Whether or not you choose to work with us, give us a call, and we’d be glad to help you talk it through.
