Useful tips, when you have a remote team to push the online reputation of your web application.

1. Be Available

Communication is the ultimate key to collaboration. More often than not, communication is nothing more than a simple question, a clarification, or a request for information. In a real office you would tip your head over your computer and simply speak to a colleague, but in remote teams it can be hard to determine if somebody is available, and in most cases, you’d likely forget about it and try to find an answer by yourself.

2. Prepare Your Messages

Because we’re not having face-to-face conversations, and even more so because of time zone differences, we can receive responses to our communications hours later. Always offer the correct information and be clear about what you’re saying or asking; too much information is better than not enough information. Send images, code examples and source files to supplement your messages.

3. Communicate When Necessary

Like I said, communicating takes you away from actually doing work. Don’t use your core messaging app to chit-chat all day, and only ever include others in the conversation when it concerns them. Other team members don’t want to be CC’d into every email, every response and every sub-comment connected to it.

4. Schedule Non-Work Related Hangouts

Working remotely can be lonely and it’s totally natural to want to engage in some normal, work-unrelated banter. However, it can be terribly counterproductive to open up the core dialogue to free discussion. Instead, schedule some time on Google Hangouts or Skype (at certain intervals in the day) to facilitate free, healthy discussions. It’s a bonding moment for the team too.

5. Use Apps That Make Communication Productive

Slack has made a significant impact on the future of team communication. Some, however, have said that the “always online” approach results in far too much communication and day-long meetings. I don’t think that’s Slack’s fault, but there certainly are drawbacks to look out for.