Our Website Development Process
Before we undertake a website design project we recommend that our prospective clients take a moment to browse the general steps that we follow for our website development process. This outlines a general project approach but the specific approach will typically need to be tailored to the individual project.
Defining the project
This is our consultation and introduction Phase.
• Gathering information - client survey, industry research.
• Understanding the audience – who will visit the site and why?
• Determining goals – how can the site best serve the needs of the client and the users, what are the main messages? Begin to develop an online marketing plan.
Project Proposal
We want you to be satisfied with our approach.
• Writing the creative brief – a summary of the proposed approach to overall development.
• Creating a project plan and schedule – task details, MS projects timeline.
• Budget – we will provide an estimate by task and required resources.
• Refining proposal – we will work with the client until the proposal meets all expectations.
• Kicking off the project – this is the point where we can put our creative team to work.
Visual design and function
We use online tools and graphics to demonstrate and refine the visual concepts. We want to be certain that our creative and visual representations meet and exceed client expectations.
• Starting the creative process - developing design concepts, presentation and graphics concepts.
• Confirming flow and functionality – we will use storyboards to illustrate.
• Creating templates for client approval.
Developing site structure
This Phase is designed to ensure we are on the right track to represent your business in the best possible light.
• Outlining content – key messages, organization (site pages).
• Creating a content delivery plan – roles for writing, editing, finalizing.
• Developing the site map – this is for site navigation
• Naming conventions, writing style guide.
• Wire framing – this is for site functionality, defining the more 3-dimensional database functions.
Production and Quality Assurance
Now we completed much of the creative work and can put our heads down to develop a website
• Begin development work –project status reporting.
• Populating pages with content – building content and graphics into site templates.
• Client review of test site – feedback process.
• Confirm backend integration plan – working on user and administration functionality of dynamic features.
• Site optimization – our process for optimizing online performance of your site.
• Site testing – developer testing and then client testing in ‘live’ environment.
• Client acceptance of their new website.
Launch and Beyond
This is a transitional Phase where we provide client with instructions on maintaining their site and working with dynamic features while we continue to monitor online performance and SEO.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – this is an ongoing effort beginning with planning for development of site content and continuing beyond site launch.
• Launching the site – This is the day we remove any under construction tags and your site is open for business.
• Maintaining the site – we will instruct on database features and turn control of site functionality to the client.
• Measuring success – monitor site for activity, search engine activity.
Ongoing Quality Assurance – Our Warrantee Period
Though we fully expect to deliver a very high quality website, we also want our clients to know we are here to provide ongoing support.
• Does site function as designed?
• Do the dynamic features function as designed?
We consider this final Phase to be a warrantee period. If a site requires maintenance in the 3 months following launch we will undertake the work for free. Naturally this is not inclusive of changes in design or content that is outside of the scope of the initial project. We want our clients to know that we will be there for support and want our customers to be completely satisfied with the results.
