Steps in the design process
An outline of the steps to building a your web site, from start to finish.
When you choose exp design to build your web site, here are the customary steps we follow. The design process with other companies will probably be similar.
After initial conversations about the goals of your web site, and a general needs assessment, we will start by creating a prototype of your home page in Photoshop. The prototype is a visual representation of your web site. It's not a working model, but is very close to how your site will look. Note that an actual web page may show some small variation in fonts, and how content lays out on the page.
Once you've reviewed the web page protoype, you will probably have at least a few revisions in mind. We'll discuss these, and make the revisions. Sometimes this process continues for a few rounds, or we may try an alternate design.
When we've agreed on a design, it will be used as the visual basis for your site. The design will be split in to graphic elements, and combined with HTML to make a series of templates.
Using the Content Management System (CMS), we will build a series of entry forms for the various pieces of content on your site. Generally speaking, your site will have two types of content: static, and dynamic.
- Static content usually consists of stand-alone pages or other text elements that do not change often and are not date-sensitive. For example, the about and contact pages in your site will probably not be edited often; once they are created, they don't need weekly review.
- Dynamic content consists of items that are grouped together in a set, are date-sensitive, or both. Examples include: event listings, staff listings, and customer testimonials. Unlike static content, multiple pieces of dynamic content can make up a single page in your site.
- To use event listings as a common example: within the Content Management System, you will enter events as they are scheduled, and a page or pages in your site will display all events from today --> forward. Events previous to the current day will not be displayed.
- Dynamic content is where a good Content Management System really shines. Once the entry forms are set up properly, you will be empowered to add, edit, manage, and delete different content and see your changes show up instantly on the web site. You'll also have the option to enter content and leave its status as closed. It will be saved in the system, but not displayed on your web site until you change its status back to open.
Once the entry forms are built, you will enter the text content of your web site. Depending on the needs of your project, you may upload and caption photos as well.
When all your content is entered, we'll do a final review of your site. At this time it is helpful to have a few people who haven't been part of the process take a critical look at your site, identifying anything that is unclear. Based on their suggestions, we'll make final changes, and make your site public. We'll also get your site listed with search engines.
Once your site is public, you should let your customers, suppliers, and colleagues know about it.
- Take advantage of any promotional opportunities offered by the business organizations you belong to, i.e., Chamber of Commerce or trade organizations.
- Add your web site to outgoing announcements, business cards, and stationery.
- Keep your content fresh! Read Who's maintaining your web site?
