Whether it be large or small, planning is a key role in building a website as it is for any other project. Diving into something unprepared can be costly and unprofessional. Below are some of the phases involved in my Website Design Process.
Step 1: Client Assessment
The MOST important part is getting to know what your project is all about. A ‘client worksheet’ in the form of a Word Document is sent to the client outlining the information needed to assess the scope and nature of the project at hand. You are required to complete it in full, save the document and email it back as an attachment to me. Only then will your project be quoted.
Step 2: Planning
This is where I use the information from your ‘client worksheet’ to form a draft structure for your website. This would involve a site map of pages and sub-pages as well as the type of navigation we should use.
I may at this point ask you some additional questions that would be related to the functionality of your website. ie blog, news, forms, etc…
It is also helpful if I have your written content or a draft of it. This would help with important content placement in key areas of your website.
Step 3: Design
At this stage I can now design a draft layout for the website. Any images or content can be given at this point. A sample front page and a sample inside page in form of images will be uploaded to a proof site where if can be reviewed by the client. From this proof we can work together to finalize a design.
Step 4: Development
Once the design is finalized and approved Pixelarcher Creative will convert the image to HTML and CSS to create a working website. Content and images will be integrated with the design at this time. It is the responsibility of the client to provide all materials at this point. Any custom scripting, database area, content management tools, ecommerce tools or other special features for your site will be developed at this time and will require the most time to complete.
Step 5: Review/Final Changes
A link will be provided to the client to review the working proof. Please note any spelling, grammar, placement of images and content, validity of the navigation and links, proper functionality of all database and administrative areas, and overall ‘correctness’ of the site. You are free to take as long as needed in this stage in order to ensure that everything is ready to move to the next phase. Any changes or corrections that you have will be addressed and you will be given another chance to review the site for any last-minute items.
Step 6: Launching/Publishing the Site
Once final approval is given and final payment has been cleared, your site will be published to your server where it will become accessible to the public via your domain name.
