A New Website
The following is a basic guideline of how JMC Website Design would work with you to get your business online. The steps may be detailed in parts but this is to ensure that the finished product provided to you best serves your particular business.
1. Initial Consultation
The first step is to decide on the purpose of your website. It needs to be a part of your business plan. What features will your website need? Who in your business will be in charge of the website? There are also seo considerations, choose which keyword phrases you'd like to be found under in search engines. We can scrutinise your competition, find out the strengths and weaknesses of their website (if they have one). Once a website brief has been agreed, a contract is signed and a 40% deposit of the total website cost is made.
It's important to get a feel for your business, so the initial consultation is the most important step.
2. Website Structure
This is usually discussed in the initial consultation, but can sometimes involve extra work. It's important to get the file structure of your website well arranged, as well as how the navigation will connect to files. Purely structural layouts (otherwise known as wireframes) are created at this stage to arrange navigation for website user experience.
Planning your website structure is also important, if it's difficult to navigate or find information you will quickly lose the patience of your website visitors - and they'll go elsewhere.
3. Layout Design
Colour schemes for your business branding are discussed here. Sometimes a business has a set pallet, sometimes colours need to be explored further. Typically 2 or 3 initial layout designs are created at this stage to give a 'preview' of how the site would look. This is the visual part of the process, and can sometimes involve a few alterations to the design. If a logo design is required, this is also incorporated into the design. It's preferred to get this step approved and signed off before moving on to...
4. Website Building
Although there's no rule of thumb and no 'correct' way, the general approach by JMC Website Design to writing a website html page is as follows:
- The final layered (PSD) design is prepared for conversion to html and css.
- Html page is created from required elements, such as navigation, footer etc.
- Required content is inserted into the page body.
- Page is styled to look like initial layered design using css.
- (optional) css is created for print output, accessibility.
- Any scripting is added to page to add functionality (php, javascript).
5. Cross Browser Testing
Website users access the internet in a variety of ways. Some have the latest browser released, whilst others are restricted to older browsers. It's important that your website is consistently viewable on the majority of web browsers currently available. This includes Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Opera, Firefox and all versions of Internet Explorer. As you can see on ie6countdown.com, many users still use IE6! Other factors which may need to be considered is whether your website needs to be available in portable format such as the ipad and iphone.
5b. Back end Testing (if applicable)
If your website involves building a back end system (such as a content management system or admin area) this will need to be tested. Sample data will be entered into the system to ensure everything works as it should. This testing is also required for websites using php code, which relies on communicating with a server environment.
6. Online Previewing
Proof reading, finalise website to go live. Access details, login information created for admin area.
7. Go live!
Your website will become available on www.yourbusiness.co.uk. This will in turn allow search engines to find you. If applicable, access details such as login information and email account details will be sent to you. Upon signing off and approving website, final payment for website is made.
