We build the site before we build the site.

Our three characters: a programmer, a designer and a client

Step 1: Discussion

Naturally we want to start project with a client chit-chat. At the first meeting we establish the basic scope of the work - what needs to be done, roles and responsibilities, who is your point of contact for materials (text content, images) etc.

Step 2: Brainstorming

We think about how we should structure things. What is important? What is not? What needs to be on every page? Depending on the scale of the project we may create a visual sitemap for our client. Preparing a sitemap is essential if we are reorganising content in any way.

Step 3: Wireframe

A wireframe is a skeleton website, indicating all the navigation, function and content elements that will appear on the final website, but with no graphic design elements. It is used to iron out any problems or missing elements, and will act as the blueprint for the content, design and construction work that comes later.

Step 4: Planning the Content

Working from the sitemap and wireframe, we and the client get together to start planning the content - specifically the text. Content planning and writing is probably the biggest workload the client will have during the project - and it can really take some time.

Step 5: Initial Design

Whilst all this is going on, the designer can be working on the base design - the homepage and main sub-level pages.

Step 6: Client Feedback

When the base design is ready, the client needs to check that we are heading in the right direction and suggest adjustments to the design accordingly.

Step 7: Design Rework

…which will probably involve going back and tweaking things…

Step 8: Client Approval

…until everyone is happy.

This process of work-feedback-rework is repeated at various stages in the project. Besides preparing the content, this confirmation process is also one of the main responsibilities of the client.

Step 9: Additional Page Design

Once the base design is agreed on, we start working on the layout and design of each of the individual pages of the site.

Step 10: Confirmation

And once again they are checked, reworked and then finally confirmed.

Step 11: Build the HTML…

You can then begin to build the actual HTML pages…

Step 12: …and the Programming

…and Programming

Step 13: Present to Client

Feedback again. We and the client work together - work-feedback-rework - to polish and tweak things until we have a completed site.

Step 14: Test

The final stage of production is the debug and testing. The site needs to be tested across all platforms to iron out any technical problems, and checked thoroughly for content errors. Naturally, throughout the HTML & Programming development stage we check cross-browser functionality anyway but we definitely need a big check at the end too. Once website is approved by our Quality Assessment Department, we prepare it for Launch.

Step 15: Launch

The picture says “The End” - but of course we don’t just grab the cheque and run for the door - we watch the site for at few days or so after launch in case of problems, and if necessary fix things.