To give you an idea of how we proceed with our website development
work, we have listed below how we generally approach each project.
Each website development project will be different, of course, but
you can get an idea of what we do in most cases. With all of our projects,
the first thing we do is analyze the situation.
Having trouble deciding how to get started with developing
your business/personal website? We recommend completing our online
to help assess your needs. This document will also help us to evaluate
your situation by providing basic information regarding: who you are,
what your time frame is, how many pages may be required, if you need
a domain name, what resources you have in place, etc. We find out
exactly what you want in your site. We also find out what you plan
to do after the site is finished. Things will always be changed around,
but we can get an understanding of WHY you want a web site. This helps
us develop a design strategy and marketing plan for your project.
We come up with a formalized contract for services and a time line.
Much like any business, the success of the project depends greatly
upon the developing a team between our staff and your key people that
are given the responsibility for creating your website. Your account
representative/lead designer will contact your key people to discuss
your site's needs in detail. |
 |
|
Once the website development contracts are agreed upon,
we begin with securing a unique internet domain name for your online
presence and an appropriate hosting package. From here, we can get
you up and running with your basic email needs and provide a place
to store your site as it is being developed. We believe in providing
access to your site during the design stage as this helps shorten
the design phase of the project by keeping our focus clear. If you
don't have a logo, we design that first. This assists us with providing
a look and feel for the rest of your site. Then we strategically
plan the flow (navigation) of your site and go through what your
goals are and how your viewers will be using the layout. We try
to make the layout of each site as intuitive as possible - making
it easy for your viewers to find what they are looking for. Should
you decide on using our services to market your site, we will begin
to set up the marketing plan at this point.
This phase of the process is where the site content and
design features are primarily developed, providing the graphical
guidelines for the rest of your site. The graphic interface is produced
and the layouts, illustrations, photographs, navigation systems,
and other graphic elements, type styles and faces are applied. It
is important that we have the graphics available to us during this
phase. You will begin developing all of the copy (text) for your
site.
The site is developed and all the copy and other materials
are developed. Shopping carts sites can take up to two-four weeks
to be developed depending on the scope of the project. Smaller sites
can take as little as a week. Your site is beta released to provide
you and your colleagues an opportunity to provide feedback and make
final corrections before making your site live.
Final Changes are made to the site. If training is needed,
it begins in phase four. (We are able to provide onsite or online
assistance if necessary.) Software is installed for you to use,
as well as Database Installations for marketing. Search Engine preparation
begins.
Training continues and Search Engine registration begins.
(It may take 4-6 weeks before the search engine index your site.)
Marketing plan is re-evaluated.
Site is launched and marketing plan begins. Letterhead,
business cards and other materials are developed if needed.
The Website Design Agreement defines the terms of the legal relationship
and covers these issues:
- Payment of Fees Maintenance & upgrades
- Authorizations Copyrights & trademarks
- Confidentiality
- Completion dates
- Contract price & payment schedules
- Other Legal Stuff
Phase 2 of the process is where your website really begins to take
shape. The Graphic Interface is designed, technical and compatibility
issues are resolved, and page templates and prototypes are worked-up
and tested. The Graphic Interface is one of the most important features.
Images must be properly scanned, formatted and sized. Existing artwork
and logo designs need to be adapted for web usage. New artwork must
be created for backgrounds, image maps and navigation elements.
Creating the Graphic Interface Includes: Page design & layout
Illustrations, image maps and photographs Logos, banners and navigation
tool bars Bullets, bars and buttons Backgrounds Animations and multimedia
presentations Special type styles, fonts and faces Links and page
transitions
NOTE: If you can provide web ready graphics on disk, in
either the .gif or .jpeg formats, this will help hold your cost
down. If we have to develop new graphics & artwork, or scan
them in, it will add to your cost. Text should be edited and in
a word processor file. Useful Stock Graphic and Photo Resources
NOTE: If you decide you want to use any of these stock
or Royalty-Free images, please note the photo number and let us
know where you want them. Copyrights or permissions from copyright
holders may be required.
This is one of the most exciting and rewarding phases of the development
process. The site really starts to take shape. Most of the key development
phases have been completed and final beta testing is performed.
Your site is now very close to its launch date. Key development
phases are implemented. Templates and prototypes are developed &
tested The photographs, illustrations and artwork are in place Cross
platform compatibility & other technical issues are resolved
Complete web pages are edited, tested and delivered Proposals for
printing or producing design variations are submitted The site is
loaded onto your server and your company is now online! This experience
is very similar to launching any new business enterprise or opening
a new store. The better prepared you are, the higher your chances
for success. You can celebrate a little now, but work remains to
be done. If you have a Website Marketing Plan, then many of the
promotional and networking recommendations will now kick into high
gear.
|
