Step By Step

The process for creating and maintaining a website is, truly, fluid. Below you will find a brief guide about the basic steps you can expect to encounter during the development of your website:

This includes:
A. Strategy document
B. Definition of scope of the project
C. Design the structure of the website
D. Develop the functioning ‘skeleton’ of website
E. Design and integration of the graphic design (look-and-feel) of website - the ‘surface’
F. Final integration, testing and launch
G. Nurturing and care of the website

In more detail...

A. The first step is a Strategy document that will define the website goals for the client and how the website will accomplish those goals. In a large sense, this document is the ‘business plan’ for the website - ideas and practical application. The strategy document will be used as a guide throughout development of the website and after launch. The document will be flexible, and change according to experience, research, and changes in the core business of the client.

B. The scope of the project will define the requirements for the project. This will include exactly how many pages will be launched in Phase 1 of the project. Also defined will be specific areas of content on each page. Any website functionality will be defined in the scope. All content elements (AKA: assets) will be specified (text, photos, illustrations, video, etc.) with quantity and location of each. Technical specifications will be defined to the extent possible. The scope of the project will include a schedule, tasks, and responsible parties for each task.

C. The structure gives shape to the scope. This will specify how all the pieces of the website fit together and behave. The structure of the website will be designed as a visual reference of content areas and interactivity. Most often this is in the form of a flowchart and written text.

D. The skeleton makes the structure concrete. This is the stage in which code is created and functionality tested. Temporary content (text, imagery) is used during this stage of development. The goal of the skeleton is a functioning prototype of the website that will be used to test functionality and user experience.

E. The ‘surface’ stage brings everything together visually. This defines what the finished product will look like.

F. Final integration, testing and launch bring all of the elements together into a final product. All visual elements are integrated into the functioning prototype and tested. Bugs are fixed and a final “golden” product is ready for launch and delivered to the client.

G. Nurturing and care of the website includes regular maintenance tasks and content ideas to keep the site fresh and fun for the audience. This step is not part of the development contract, but a separate agreement that will define a scope of work, frequency, responsibility and schedule. The agreement is renewable on a monthly or annual basis.