Design Process

Our Website Design Process

In order for your website to come to life, there are numerous steps involved.  The exact process differs from designer to designer; however, the general idea is the same. There are times when these steps may differ due to the nature of the website content, type, and purpose.

The company that you choose to design your site should assign someone to work closely with you.  The designer is actually an intimate part of your company at this time.  An open line of communication and a good relationship with your designer will help to get your thoughts across and into the web site.

Remember, your web site is an extension and representation of your company to potential clients, a successful web site will help your business grow.

The following is a basic list that we go by:

Step 1 – Planning

    1. Purpose & Goals
    2. Site Map
    3. Content Consideration
    4. Admin & Housekeeping (contracts, deposits, behind the scenes)

Once you’ve given us the thumbs up, we start by planning the project. This is also the stage that requires client interaction and the accompanying attention to detail.

The planning stage is arguably the most important, because what’s decided here sets the stage for the entire project. This stage begins with us chatting with you, understanding your needs, and ends with a nice set of documents. There are also a few bits of housekeeping at this stage; some admin like contracts and deposits, plus some behind-the-scenes tasks to help get your project underway.

 

Step 2 – Design

    1. Wireframe
    2. Mock-ups
    3. Review and Approval

The design stage typically involves moving the information outlined in the planning stage further into reality and begins sketching some concept designs for your website. The main objective here is to present you with a documented site structure and, more importantly, a visual representation. Upon completion of the design phase, the website should have taken shape/layout, but absent of the content and features, we’ll review this design with you and revise the design taking into account your feedback.

 

Step 3 – Development

  1. Framework
  2. Coding
  3. Content Filling

Development involves the bulk of the programming work, as well as loading content. The developmental stage is the point where the web site itself is created. At this time, we will take all of the individual graphic elements and use them to create the actual, functional site. Elements such as interactive contact forms, flash animations or ecommerce shopping carts are implemented and made functional during this phase, as well. Communication with the client is important to us at this time, so that we can take into account any additional changes or corrections the client would like to have done.

 

Step 4 – Testing & Tuning

  1. Links
  2. Emails
  3. Special features
  4. Interactivity
  5. Cross-browser compatibility Check
  6. Polishing
  7. Visual Check
  8. Consideration of user experience

At this point, we will attend to the final details and test your web site. This is also the time for a full website review – everything from the home page to the submission confirmation page to ecommerce shopping carts—and make sure everything is in working order. Items such as complete functionality of forms and scripts, as well as testing for last minute cross browser compatibility issues, are performed, ensuring that your web site is optimized to be viewed properly. The site is checked again and again to make sure that anything visually or functionally is out of order.

 

Step 5 – Launch

  1. Final sign-off
  2. Site goes LIVE on the World Wide Web

Once the site’s ready we’ll ask you to give us the final sign-off. This is where you, our client, enter the wonderful cyber world with your company.

 

Step 7 – Post-Launch

  1. Training
  2. Provide documentation and source files
  3. Project close, final documentation hand off

All the little tasks related to closing the project happens now. Packaging source files, providing instructions for use and any required training occurs at this time. We leave our client as concisely informed as possible, and try to predict any questions you may have. We pride ourselves on sticking around and helping and supporting our clients, we will not leave the project with a closed door.

 

Step 8 – Maintenance

  1. Possible contract to maintain site in the future
  2. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
  3. SES (Search Engine Submission)

Your web site project is not necessarily over at this point. One way to bring repeat and NEW visitors to your site is to offer new content or products on a regular basis. We will be more than happy to continue working together with you. We offer maintenance packages at reduced rates, based on how often you anticipate making changes or additions to your web site. It’s really up to you, the client, as to how comfortable you feel updating your own web site. Some clients prefer to have all the control. Others prefer to hand off the web site entirely. We can take over the web site maintenance for you – one less task for you to do is always a good thing in these busy times!

 

 

Nov 7, 2011   //   by JA   //   Articles