|
Web Site Development
Hanapin's website development process is divided into seven distinct sections, each with a specific purpose:
Discovery 1. Discovery - The goal of this stage is to gather and/or uncover all strategic and tactical information. The short list of this information consists of website goals, objectives, audiences, and marketplace competitors. We will schedule additional face-to-face meetings or conference calls to ensure we fully understand the scope, priorities, and all design or database requirements. 2. Creative brief - The goal of this stage is to synthesize the information gathered in the discovery phase into elements that are useful for website development. We'll create a functional site map, feature list, production schedule, and creative brief to share with client representatives and adjust as needed. The creative brief is potentially the most important part of this process. It contains the DNA and blueprint for what the website will do. What the website will look and feel like and is based on information from the client as well as marketplace and competitor research that we conduct. We'll also develop a list of all the needed content assets, including copy and photography, that we'll use for the website. 3. Visual concepts (JPEG) - The goal of this step is to choose the basic design for the website, including general look and feel, color palette, placeholder images, placeholder content, logos, basic layout, and navigation structure. The visual concepts are non-interactive images (typically JPEG) placed in a web browser. This allows you to view the website graphically without spending unnecessary hours (and dollars) on coding. 4. Prototype design (HTML) - The goal of this step is to produce a functional version of the approved visual concept. This will include graphics, placeholder images, placeholder content, animation, coding, database, and applications. We'll also agree on links, rollovers, organization of pages, and page headings. 5. Testing of a functional website - The goal of this step is produce a near-final version of the prototype design. We'll insert the final drafts of images and content and check every aspect of the website to ensure all aspects are working correctly before launch - links, mouse-overs, animation, script, and forms. We'll also create all necessary alt tags and meta tags for basic search engine optimization. 6. Website launch - The goal of this step is to migrate the completely functional and fully tested website from the development servers to live on the Internet. We'll work with you in planning for and promoting a new website launch, coordinating with PR and other marketing to draw in new audiences. 7. Maintenance/management - In this step we maintain the existing website and make any updates upon request. |
