To better understand the process of creating a website, we have attempted to outline the necessary steps to ensure you get what you want (too good to be true huh!)
- CONCEPT
- Design Brief: The first thing we ask you to do is to complete a Design Brief which can easily be done by filling out the form on the 'Get Your Quote' page. This helps us understand your needs and gives us key information so as we can start to prepare a quotation for you.
- Target Market: Helps us identify the look and feel of the website whether it be professional/fun/prodominantly female or male orientated etc.
- Budget and Timing: In order for us to provide a quotation that meets your financial and timing needs
- Benchmark Competitors: Gives us valuable information on what services they provide and missed opportunities that you can take advantage of.
- Create Site Map: Establish what pages you want on the website, Home page, Contact Page and Links Page are a given at this point.
- Identify Deliverables: Who is doing what with regard to logos, photographs, images and copy (text) for each page.
- Quotation: Armed with the above we will be able to provide you with an accurate quotation
- PLANNING
- Colour Scheme: Decide on the colour scheme which can be based on existing corporate colour scheme, favourite colour or a colour that best suites the Target Market
- Wireframe Design: Establish the layout of the website i.e. one column, two column, three column, header position, menu position etc
- Website Design: Produce the first proposal and get customer feedback. Adjust design until client is happy.
- Calls To Action: What do you want the visitor to do as a result of visiting your site, place Calls To Action buttons and images with appropriate links i.e. 'Call Now' image, 'Start Shopping'
- Research Domain Name: If you haven't already thought about a domain name, now is the time to do so
- BUILD
- Design Approval: sign off by client on the website design and layout
- Receive Deposit: Before any purchases of domain names and proprietry software is made we will require a non-refundable deposit of 25%
- Register Domain Name: Purchase domain name on behalf of the client. If a domain name has already been purchased, initiate transfer to webdesco so as you only have to deal with one renewal for all your website needs
- Development Hosting: Set up a development hosting package so as the client can view the progress of the website development
- Website Development: Create the code and structure of the website in line with the approved website Design. This involves creating cross browser standard compliant HTML, PHP and Javascript code which is all used to make your site work.
- Test, Refine and Validate: Make sure all aspecs of the website are working, impliment design changes made by the client/suggested by ourselves.
- LAUNCH
- Receive Final Payment: Thanks!
- Create Live Hosting: this is the production hosting package where your live site will reside.
- Launch Website: Publish your site for the world to see. At this point we will fully test all pages/links and forms
- Setup Email Accounts: Create email accounts on the server, provide documentation on how to setup your email client software (Windows Mail, Thunderbird, Iphone, Mac mail etc)
- Add your business website to Google Places so as it appears on Google Map searches
- Customer Training: If you pla to manage your own site through the use of a Content Management System (CMS) then we will provide you with the necessary training and documentation.
- Customer Feedback: How happy were you with our services and how can we improve - your feedback is essential for us to continue to provide a high level of service.
The process is by no means fixed, but following it as a guideline should ensure clear communications between us and the client, saving time, cost and frustration %#@!!!
