Finding the right partner for a website design and build project can be a challenge. Our experienced team have more than 10 years’ experience developing websites of all shapes and sizes, and we have a well-established methodology which covers every aspect of the build, from initial specification through to post-launch support.
Our methodology breaks down the web development process into seven key phases, each of which is briefly outlined below. The specific requirements of every website build are unique, so please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your project.
1. Specification
Establishing a detailed, accurate specification is an essential pre-requisite to the timely delivery of a complex technical project. We aim to gather requirements through a series of interactive client workshops, giving our team the insight we need to complete a creative brief, site map and functional specification for sign off by the client.
2. Information architecture (IA)
Before we start the technical build or website design, the IA phase turns the functional specification and sitemap into something resembling a website. We create wireframes to help everyone involved in the project understand the functionality and user-journeys through the site, and undertake user-testing to ensure the crucial decisions we make at this stage are robust.
3. Design and development
With the specification agreed, we then begin technical and creative development. The front-end design is an iterative process, marrying up any existing brand guidelines or material with the wireframes to create the site layout. At this stage we’ll also start to get into the nitty-gritty of detailed technical development, including integration with existing systems where necessary.
4. Presentation development
Once the core design principles have been established and signed off, we'll move on to create the definitive set of design templates for the site. Integration of front-end templates with the back-end technology comes next, with accessibility and cross-browser testing a key milestone at this stage.
5. Content upload and webmastering
Whether content needs to be created from scratch or migrated from an existing website or database, content population is a major task which requires our team to work closely with the client. We’ll also set up web analytics, help ensure all the metadata is populated and optimised for search, and generate an XML site map for submission to spiders and directories.
6. QA
Testing takes place throughout the development process, but a well-documented formal QA process is an essential part of the project plan. QA is made up of a number of tests, including accessibility, performance testing, user acceptance testing and heuristic user-testing.
7. Launch
The final launch process needs careful planning, and our development team will be on hand to monitor site performance and address any urgent bugs. For the majority of our clients, support continues after the initial launch period, and we provide hosting and technical solutions to fit the ongoing requirements of both the project and the client.
