Web development Process
The Following is an overview of the creative process and a detailed explanation for each phase:
1. Creative Brief
To really understand a client’s brand, we meet with the client to discuss their business goals, target audiences, brand and style. Some clients come to us with a Creative Brief and Brand Style Guide in-hand but most of the time, we have to create one. The Creative Brief will guide the interface, user experience and visual design. Web companies that are more development-focused often miss this critical step. They will just grab a template, stick the logo at the top and call it a day.
2. Creative Strategy
This phase involves brainstorming ways of presenting the brand messages to the intended audiences. Ideally, we have a solid brand differentiator and marketing strategy that will present a compelling visual anchor and theme for the website.
3. Interface Architecture
We use interface design best practices to develop the architecture for the website. In this phase, we define the structure, organisation, navigation, labelling, and indexing of a website. This process results in a set of documents called “wireframes” that outline the function and basic design flow of key website pages. Wireframes are black and white diagrams that show the organisation of website features and functionality – much like a blueprint shows the structure of a building.
4. Round One Visual Design
The designer will take the Creative Brief, strategy concepts and approved Interface Architecture, and mock-up web page designs with colour, graphics, images, and typography. A design concept or multiple, if the budget allows is then presented. It is then made sure that there is a solid rationale with any supporting creative decisions which will then be explained.
5. Round Two Visual Design
The client will provide feedback on what they like and don’t like about the Round One designs. Designs are then revised and presented again in Round Two for review. Design Approval – This iterative cycle of design, review and feedback results in an approved visual design. Typically the project scope allows for two or three rounds of revisions.
6. Internal Page Design
Rounds One and Two design usually involves only a few key site pages. Once an approved design has been established, the designer will then have to apply the design to other internal site pages and/or an internal page template design that will serve for the remaining content pages.. Those pages are also reviewed by the client.
7. Development
With the approved design files the site can be prepared for integration within the technical framework of the website. Development of website pages will be coded on the development server.
8. Beta Review
In this stage, the site is checked on all required devices and browsers for which it was designed. There are usually several rounds of beta testing and QA to ensure the site functions per the specifications.
Launch!
Launching means that the freshly developed files are moved to your hosting environment and configured along with your DNS (Domain Name Server) being pointed towards a hosting account and your website now live at your URL. It is recommend that clients retain our services to provide ongoing maintenance i.e, any required or recommended software updates, enhancements and marketing services. In order to be effective, a website requires consistent monitoring and improvement. Websites that are not maintained proactively become easy targets for hacking as your software and plugins become out of date. We like to partner with our clients to help them grow and profit far into the future.
You should seek a web designer or web design company that guarantees to work closely with you. Check out their process and see how it compares to ours. A good working relationship with your designer, including an open line of communication, is important to ensure they are creating a successful website that will help your business grow.