The Web Design Process

What to expect...

1. Discovery:
   To begin the process we'll talk.  I'll ask quite a few different questions to find out what kind of a site you need.  It might be a simple "brochure" site that lists location, hours of operation, and contact information.  Or it might be a full blown community site with blogs for every member, a forum, intricate photography/photo manipulation and a custom layout.  I'll find out very specifically what your needs are.
2. Moving along:
   We'll also figure out where you are in the process.  We'll discuss your domain name:
   
   
   • If you have one already.
   • How to get one if not.
   • What makes a good domain name.
   
   We'll need to discuss hosting, as well.  Website hosting is readily available and if you have a preference I can most likely work with them.  If you don't have a preference, I prefer to work with Rochen.
3. Estimate:
   At this point I'll email a .pdf estimate of the time it will take me to complete your project.  I'll also give you an estimated timeline for development and project completion.
4. Beginning work:
   At this point there are two possible approaches:
   
   
   • Live Development is when your project is incubated on a live website. If you have a domain that has not been publicized, this is the best approach. The site will be created, edited, and prepared for release on your public, but unknown domain.
   • Live, Private Development, then, would be designing and developing your website on a publicly available, but unpublicized server.  You'll be able to monitor progress and give feedback about design and development.  There is the possibility of someone finding the site, but it would be extraordinary.  I would be aware if it was found and the site could be unpublished or moved.  I recommend either of these first two options.
   • If you feel that it is important to launch your site at one time with nothing publicly available prior to launch, I can also develop it entirely on my computer prior to launch. This is sometimes the only option for remodeling an existing site. The downside here is that collaboration on your project is not as easy. I prefer and recommend working on a live site if at all possible.
   
   We'll decide on the most appropriate option for your project together.
5. 
   

   Flickr photo courtesy of Nagyman
   Getting your ducks in a row:
   Now, or at any time prior to this, is a good time to start preparing your content. Some bullet points to keep in mind when considering written content:
   
   
   • Keep your content brief, initially. People surf the web very differently than they do reading books or magazines; they look for snippets of information. Design simply to begin with and we'll provide space to expand on ideas if necessary.
   • Make sure to keep your content on topic. Use words and phrases that relate directly to what your visitors would visit your site to find out about.
   • Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and so forth! Although I am a good proofreader, I am not perfect and it is best if your own writing is exactly the way you want it. Like it or not, a lot of folks judge quickly and harshly based on the quality of writing.
   
   We'll also need images for your site. In fact, images are integral. They can be few and far between, they can be fully computer generated, or they can be modified digital images, but we'll need some for your site. If you have some images that you'd like to use, get them together. Some things to keep in mind around images:
   
   
   • Don't worry about imperfections. I can fix a lot with Photoshop (not everything, but a lot). If you think there is a remote chance you'd like to use an image on your site, let me take a look!
   • Don't worry about size. If it won't fit in an email we'll find another way to "ship" it. Flickr.com is a great, free option with no maximum file size and the ability to be set to "private."
   • If you don't have photos you'd like to use, don't worry! There are plenty of photos available from expensive to free that we can modify and use on your site. The ducks on the right are a great example.
6. Incubation
   We'll establish a timeline based on the specifications of your site. We'll agree on a launch date and I'll update you regularly with the site's progress toward completion. During this time you'll be billed according to my web design billing policy.
7. Project Launch
   When the design and development is finished and agreed upon as a completed project it is time to publish your website live on your domain. Expect a smooth transition.
8. Post-Launch Propogation
   With all the sites I develop, I use a component that dynamically generates a sitemap. I'll submit this sitemap to Google, Yahoo(!), and Microsoft. By submitting a sitemap, the three biggest search engines are immediately aware of your new site's presence, can begin crawling and indexing your pages, and can more quickly begin sending your site visitors. Without it, they are left to their own devices (though they're pretty good) to find all the pages on your site. Quality backlinks aside, this is the best way to get your site noticed quickly.
9. Turning Over the Reins
   At this point I will give you information to access and begin tracking your Google Analytics account, which is installed on all sites unless otherwise requested. Google Analytics is a website statistics/tracking application accessed through your web browser. It will allow you to see how many people have visited your site, which pages are the most popular, where visitors are coming from (links, search engines, or directly), what city they're in, and so on. It is a free service from Google that goes hand-in-hand with Google Adwords, which is Google's advertising entrance-point.