More about Web Design & Development...

Below in more detail what a full-scale website project might involve.

Planning & Analysis Phase

• Determine the scale of the website, type of content, generic layout & style
• Understand the targeted audience
• Analyse what type of content materials and graphics is required
• Plan site navigation based on the size/scale of the site and content taking accessibility and usability issues into consideration
• Analyse need for Search Engine Optimisation
• Calculate cost involved
• Write Project Proposal (at minimum), Requirements Specification, Site Content Document.

Often in smaller projects only one document detailing all of above is required. All documentation should be approved and signed by both parties.

Once I have discussed his/her requirements with the customer, some level of analysis may be required to determine how the web site or the website is going to help to present the business and help the business itself.

Design & Development Phase

When developing a website there are a number of factors that determine how long it takes for it to be completed. The most significant is that of stabilising on the specification.

In other words, if the site is "developed" and you as the customer decide that it is not what you want, it will have to be done again. The reason for the website not being correct on the first pass is down to miscommunication between the developer and the customer. The objective of the content document is to minimise this sort of miscommunication.

There are some factors that are difficult to describe which in the end come down to taste, but can have a significant impact on the time and cost of the project. A very significant amount of the effort in developing a website goes into the style and graphics.

At this stage customer should have passed me all written content materials and graphics, if any Implementing the layouts and navigation as either a prototype or a real website Discussing suggestions and changes from the customer side Writing Content and Coding Writing of actual content in webpages, including final navigation and graphics Now I put my programmer's hat on and add the code (if required) without disturbing the look and feel of the site. Using mainly html/ shtml, php and javascript with cascading style sheets (CSS) and MySQL open source database (as and when required). Implementing the Search Engine Optimisation (link exchange, meta keywords, description, registering at Search Engines, ...) Implementing a Content Management System for the client (if required)

Testing Phase

• Client reviews the site (usually iterated during Development)
• Final testing (usually iterated during Development)
• Publishing of the website: purchasing a domain name and managing hosting and email set-up (read more about hosting...)

The Hosting Phase

This is when the website is ready - up and running on the internet available to all. Now it is the matter of keeping the website up-to-date and possibly managing Search Engine optimation. Please read more in the Hosting section.