Question

I am going to change my working sphere from Enterprise Web Applications written for concrete business process to Public Web Sites that will be accessible to all users around.

What is difference between this two spheres at the most top level? What specific characters I need to know about modern web sites development?

Answer 1

I suspect one could write books about this.

I suppose the first difference is the user base. With an enterprise, you can, at least partly, ensure the users are doing what they are supposed to – and if not you know who they are and where they live. Further, they can be fired for abuse. On a public web site, you almost have to assume that some part of your user base is not there for a positive reason. So be paranoid – if they’re not attacking you yet, just wait.

A second related point is that users will find ways to use (abuse?) your site you never thought of. Plan for the worst, hope for better.

Third, language, culture and usage varies across the world. A form, for example, with “zip code” that accepts just 5 digits may make sense in the US but is useless in the UK. And asking for a state and restricting it to two characters likewise makes no sense say in Italy where Italy IS the “state”. This also applies to actual content – that joke you think is so very funny may be offensive in other countries. And never under estimate the ability of some folks to be offended at anything.

Fourth – get a good bunch of beta tester and test your site, and updates, carefully and thoroughly.

Fith, have a plan for scalability – if you suddenly get “discovered” can your site take the traffic.

That’s 5 things at least.