To ensure consistency and that the end result meets or exceeds your expectations we always follow our proven process. Our process has been refined by working through many projects over the years - communication is the key, deadlines are met, quality is assured.
Phase 1. Planning & Materials Collection
- Initial Interview - We visit your place of business and discuss your business objectives and define what it means for your website / print campaign to be a success eg. generate new business, market new products to your existing customers, etc. We establish who your target audience is and what they will be looking for. We find out exactly what you want from your designs. Communication throughout the design process is essential and it's never more important than at the beginning of the project.
- Build the Design Specification - After listening to what you want we write a detailed design brief outlining exactly what we will deliver and outlining the costs involved.
- Materials Collection - After the design brief is accepted we gather the materials that you want included in your design, this could include an electronic copy of your logo, any photos you want included, advertising text that you have written, etc. This brings us to the design phase...
Phase 2. Design
- Brainstorming - What If? Asking this question can lead to the best, most original ideas and concepts.
- Site Plan Flowchart - The site is mapped out in a flowchart so the information contained on the site is easy to find and nothing is left out.
- Thumbnail Sketching of Concepts - Pencil + paper, perhaps the best design tools. We roughly sketch out a range of designs expressing layout, typography, and unique visual ideas.
- Choose Colours and Fonts - We determine what the best colour and font combination will be to send the right message.
- Design Photoshop Comp - Using Photoshop we design the graphical look and feel of the site. When we have finished we present you with the design to get your approval. Once you are happy with the look and feel, we move on to building the site.
Phase 3. Building
- Build html - Using the photoshop design as a template we build the html website. Any interactive elements like javascript rollovers, flash animations, etc. are added to the site as this point.
- Initial testing and uploading - We perform a preliminary test on the site and upload it to a test area for you to suggest any adjustments.
- Approval - Once you are happy with the site we move on to Quality Assurance...
Phase 4. Quality Assurance
- In-House Testing - Using various browsers and computers we put your site through it's paces. Often something that works perfectly in one browser may totally break down in another. Testing in-house picks up problems before they reach the outside world. We also use automated programs to check your site and pick up any small problems that the human eye misses.
- User Testing - The ultimate test, do real people find your site easy to use? We get 5 people of various levels of computer/internet literacy to use your site and report any problems they have with the site.
- Refinement - Any problems that come up in the user testing are addressed. Looks like you're ready to go!
Phase 5. Release & Marketing
- Site Goes Live - Your site is uploaded to your domain name and is now live for the world to knock down your door.
- Search Engine Submission - We submit your website to the relevant search engines for indexing.
- Marketing Consultation - Examination of your marketing materials to make sure that your site is integrated effectively with your offline marketing efforts.
Phase 6. Maintenance
- Updates - Your business is constantly evolving and your site needs to reflect this. We will be there to perform any updates on your site as they become necessary.
