The process of making websites
Below I will outline the process involved, and the costs.
We charge in two different ways. Either by a quote for a whole job, or by an hourly rate.
The process of making a website can be broken down into a few parts.
- having a chat
- requirements gathering.
- graphical design.
- html implementation.
- functional design.
- functional implementation.
- functional testing.
- user testing.
- monitoring, refinement, and optimization.
- advertising.
At each stage we get feedback from you, and other people to make sure we are getting something good. Something that you are happy with, and something that works.
Some people do not need every part of this process done, and parts can be skipped. Or we can change the process to match the website.
Having a chat.
In order to find out what you want, we need to have a chat about it.
Requirements gathering.
First we would like to meet up with you to discuss your website. So we can work out what you want from it, and how it will look. This is where we find out what you want.
At this point we can also make some recommendations about your website. You can also ask us questions about it, and we can do some research if needed.
We will come up with a plan on how we are to proceed. We can figure out how long the job will take to do, and give you a quote for how much it will cost. The quote will be broken down into parts so that you can see how much each part will cost. This allows you to decide if you have the budget for a certain part or if a part is worth it.
Graphical design.
If you want to change the look of the website then a graphic designer will work with you.
We will need some things from you to make the design better. Any existing logos you want to use. As well as links to websites you would like your site to look like.
We will go away after talking with you, and spend a few hours making some mock up designs. These are one page images which will give you an idea of the look of your site. The idea of these is so that you can choose a look you like, without making the whole thing first. If you are happy with how one of these mocks looks, then we will proceed onto the next stage.
Html implementation.
Converting the design into html is the next stage. The graphic designer will convert the one page image that you have chosen, into html for all the pages.
Functional design.
This is where database design, and design of forms happens. Some of this design happens during the requirements, and mock design stages too.
Functional implementation.
This is where the forms are made. The parts which edit content are made. The shopping cart portion is made. All of the parts which require interaction are made in this phase.
User testing.
People have to use the website, so we test to see if people can use what we have made. As we are the ones making the website, we need people who have never seen it before to try it out. We watch them use the website, and note down any problems they may have.
Functional testing.
Do all of the links go somewhere? Do the submit, and delete buttons work?
Monitoring, refinement, advertising and optimization.
We see how many people are looking at your website. Find out where they are comming from. What pages are they leaving on? If they are buying something, do they stop trying to buy on the front page, or do they stop on another page?
After monitoring the websites use, what changes can be made to make it work more effectively?
Are people able to find you through web searches? How can you make these people find your website more easily.
Advertising
Paying for people to visit your website can be quite an effective method. However you need to measure if your advertising is worth it.
How many people are coming to your website after seeing the advertising? How many of those visitors are buying something from your website? Or how many are signing up to your newsletter? How many customers are you gaining? How many bookings are you getting.