Approach | Our Approach |
| Written by Themescrib.com | |
| Friday, 22 September 2006 | |
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It is certainly the case that insight, experience, dedication and discipline are required to build successful web sites. Recognizing this, before any work is started on a project, we conduct a Discovery Meeting. This meeting allows our team members to identify measurable goals, ask specific questions about what the site should do in terms of functionality, and how the client wishes to promote their company’s image. From there, we proceed to a proposal that details timetables, web flows, processes and project costs.
Following is an overview of the typical phases of our projects: Project Definition - Phase 1: A client questionnaire form or survey is conducted, whereby specific questions are asked that lead to a “profile” of the planned site. A structured summary of the design issues addressed during the client survey is distributed to the project team. Milestones are mutually scheduled to ensure timely submission of deliverables for each phase. Deadlines are also be set for the client to deliver content, branded collateral and marketing materials. Technical needs, logistical procedures and back-end integration will also be reviewed at this stage. The flowchart representing site navigation is reviewed. At this stage, our techies also analyses and streamlines the site to minimize the amount of clicks-per-user required to arrive at relevant content. A staging area is also created for the purpose of viewing work in progress, tests, concept designs, and so on. The area is accessible on the Web through a private URL, knowledge of which is strictly limited to the parties involved. Design Concept / Mock Ups Phase 2: Building on the work of phase 1, we next design two design concepts for selection. These design concepts serve as inspiration for subsequent corporate identity and web site designs. The visual components addressed include identity, mood, color palette, graphic design, typographical treatments and navigation. One distinctive art direction for the site is created based on client feedback on the design concepts. The final design presentation includes sample primary (home page), secondary (main sections) and tertiary (typical information) page designs. Design of accent images, header graphics, navigational buttons, and icons for main sections of the site begins in earnest at this stage. For animated elements, storyboards are created. Art direction follows the site structure and guidelines determined by the creative brief and final design presentation. Colors, fonts and logos are also finalized at this stage. We create guidelines for all instances of live and static typefaces, logo usage and a website color palette of hexadecimal colors to be used within the website. Design guidelines for website components including buttons/links, titles, labels, tables, banners and email flow are also be created in this phase. Software / Technical Engineering Phase 3: Once the planned visible aspects of the site design are complete, the focus shifts to invisible, software-side issues. In this phase, a database structure is created. This structure outlines functionality, including input fields required, error/success pages, administrative user levels, login, registration, cookies and passwords. Programming for functionality and database-driven elements as described by the database overview/web flowchart begins. Web administration tools and menus are also developed in this phase. Forms that interact with potential visitors are also created. The goal of this stage is the creation of a robust and dynamic Internet presence with intuitive system features. The scope of work includes the creation of all the staged components. Typically, however, a series of minor revisions and final iterations takes place after the initial build, until we have achieved the desired final product. Alpha testing is performed internally. Upon completion, a beta version of the website is uploaded to a staging area, showing web page flow of the proposed primary, secondary and tertiary pages. This involves ‘weaving’ the home page with all templates below it to create a ‘clickable’ version of the website. Publishing / Search Engine Ready Phase 4: If applicable, page titles, page descriptions and keywords are generated at this time. This process helps Internet search engines and directories (i.e. Yahoo!, MSN, Google, etc.) index the site. We continue to thoroughly test the prototype under different browsers including the latest versions of Internet Explorer, AOL and Netscape Navigator on both PC and Mac platforms during this phase. Next, we develop content and functionality to a lowest common denominator standard. In practice, this means the site will run adequately on the majority of 4.0 or greater browsers, with strong considerations for 56.6K dial-up connections. Additionally, during this phase the server is put through rigorous testing to ensure application stability and security. Training for the use of the web administration tools is provided at this time. In addition, required synchronization and importation of legacy databases and website content is completed during this phase. Servers are re-tested for any potential problems. Upon approval, files are uploaded and the site is launched. Final sign-off on the site is performed and marketing begins. Training conducted via web cast, instant messenger or in-office is also available. There is an additional fee levied for on-site training. |
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