Web Process

Phase #1: Consult

The starting point for a web design project is the consultation. We will establish what the main objectives are for your site and the overall size of the project. The consultation questionnaire is designed to help find the best strategy for your website.

Domain Name Registration

One of the first things a business or organization needs to consider is whether or not it wants its own domain name (i.e. http://www.yourname.com/). It is generally a good idea to secure a name when you go online, as it allows you the flexibility to switch ISP's at will and yet keep your same address. If you prefer, we can make all arrangements for you with the registration process and in setting up an hosting account.

Phase #2: Design

Deside on a solution that best meets your needs and plan how it will be executed. During the design phase your site will begin to take shape onscreen. All or most of the written content will be finished and the visual elements will be agreed upon.

Designing the graphics and layout

Consistency is important for all your graphics. They may all be unique but they should share visual design consistency that reflects the type of site you want. Take a look at different magazines and you'll see how the photography, graphics and text layouts are all consistent with the magazines' identity. The same principle applies to websites.

Creating the written content

Your written content should conform to users online reading habits. Technical documents and troubleshooting guides may need to be reorganized for better online reading.

Designing the navigation system

In order to know what needs to be navigated there has to be content. A navigation system for five web pages will be very different than one for one hundred pages. There are many menu system possibilities but some are heavily dependant on technology or plug-ins that may be undesirable for your audience.

The final design

The end of the design phase happens when you approve the final layout and content. Once again this isn't a complete working model it's a graphical view of what the working site will look like. The actual working model is created during production. Once you approve of the design and development begins it can be time consuming and costly to make changes.

Phase #3: Development

During this phase your site will begin to be functional. You'll also begin to get a real understanding of how your site will work when it's posted at your web address.

Graphics

All of the graphical elements on your site will be optimized to download as fast as possible. The difference between proper and improper optimization can be the difference between a happy or a frustrated visitor.

Written content

The written content on your site will also be formatted for easy reading. You may notice how text on some sites is difficult to read because it breaks all of the time-honored rules of good typography.

Client Side Coding (Scripts)

Javascripts allow your site to have more dynamic content for your visitors to enjoy, and allow for visually interesting page enhancements. These would include mouse rollovers, slide shows, pop-up info windows, easy bookmark buttons, pull down menus, typing marques, and much more - all of which increase the aesthetics and friendliness of web pages.

Using Forms

Forms can allow users transmission of any information, which will be sent you by email or store into database. It becomes useful when you want to encourage people to use their credit cards online, submit information, ask questions and much more.

Server Side Programming

Server Side Programming is needed when your site requires a database, shopping system or extensive written content - all of these elements must come together at the proper time.

Phase #4: Test

Before your website is posted to its new address it will be tested. Every link and graphic will be checked. All of the written content must be checked for grammatical errors. You'll test and approve the pages before they are publicly available. It may be useful to test your site with customers or employees in order to get feedback. A usability test can let your customers provide feedback during the process.

Phase #5: Deployment

The work of the designer and developer are now assembled into a single product, the final Website. Functionality and aesthetics now fall into place, and the last tweaks are made on both the fronts. Now the final Website is posted online.

Phase #6: Maintenance

Don't make the mistake of putting up a web site and then forgetting about it. For a web site to be truly successful, it must be kept current and fresh looking.

User feedback

Getting user feedback should be part of your ongoing site maintenance. It may come in the form of emails or through an online form. If you're getting lots of e-mail concerning a particular site feature that users want you'll know what to add next.

Site updates

If your site requires daily or monthly updates for sure you'll need to budget time and money for this.

Contact Us for further assistance!