Lessons learned in building a website to deliver online interventions for public health

Introduction: Online public health interventions have grown in popularity due to their ability to reach underserved and geographically-diverse populations, motivate and incentivize participation, and achieve sustained effects by making resources available for longer periods of time. The purpose of this study is to inform public health research and practice efforts to develop and implement online interventions. Methods: We conducted qualitative in-person interviews with key informants from five independent and diverse public health online intervention research projects (i.e., alcohol policy, HIV/AIDS, adolescent health, sexual health and transgender health). Interviews were guided by the “Step-by-Step Usability Guide” for website development (developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Interview transcripts were analyzed for themes using standard qualitative analyses protocols. Results: Themes emerged regarding contract management, personnel, and data collection/management. Budgets to build the websites ranged from $50,000-$300,000 and features varied widely. Different external vendors were used to build the websites. All participants noted barriers in communication between vendor staff who were accustomed to developing a product to market and academics who were interested in designing an intervention for high public health impact. Each project devoted significant unexpected personnel time to advocate for a final quality product in the context of fixed project budgets, timelines and deliverables. Conclusion: Online delivery of interventions is an emerging tool for public health practitioners, but there are many challenges that must be considered given the time, money and expertise needed to develop a quality online intervention.