Whether you’re having a website created from scratch, migrating from another platform or simply refreshing an existing design, having a clear process helps keep us focused. Here is an example of how the Phase Creative design & production process works.
Phase 1 – Discover
Prior to receiving a proposal, you will be asked to fill out a website questionnaire and, depending on your needs and the size of your business, I may suggest we have a dedicated discovery session via skype or in person to flesh out your initial ideas and uncover the opportunities your business has to leverage the online medium. You have an opportunity to communicate your business needs and articulate the elements of your product or service which can be best leveraged in an online context.
During this process we also establish if Phase Creative is the best fit for your project to ensure you get the most value out of your investment. If the answer is yes, I’ll prepare a proposal outlining the solution I envisage for your business.
If you are happy with the proposal, you’ll be required to agree to the Terms and Conditions and provide payment of 50% of the total cost before I commence work. You will receive an invoice with all the details. Upon receipt of deposit, I will supply you with a list of the items I require from you to prepare your site.
Phase 2 – Design
Now it gets exciting! Based on your supplied branding, content and imagery and the information you supplied in the questionnaire, you will be asked to chose from a selection of templates (called themes) which I feel best suited to your requirements. Think of these as merely the skeleton of your website. I am able to transform these bones into a unique website that looks great & functions perfectly for your business.
Once you’re happy with the functionality your site will include, I’ll create a site-diagram based on our discussions or documentation to determine what web pages we will need to build, navigation structure and feature list. Your website must be easy to navigate and well structured. And finally, you’ll be presented with mockups of your site incorporating those structural and functionality decisions.
During this phase you will have the opportunity for 2 rounds of revisions, ensuring the design and structure is perfectly in place.
You will be required to sign off of the final design before commencing the next stage.
Phase 3 – Develop
With your content in hand, I will begin building your website on my development domain. During this phase I’ll also source images and place them on the site, along with those you’ve provided, to give your site the all important wow factor.
When I’m satisfied it meets the established criteria you will be issued with a link to review your site and provide feedback.
Simultaneously I’ll test the site on the latest versions of Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer and, if included in your proposal, appropriate mobile devices.
Phase 4 – Detail
At this stage you’ll be provided the opportunity to thoroughly check your site and let me know of any fine-tuning required. This is not unlimited, but anything that is broken or not working as per the design and structure phase will be adjusted or fixed accordingly.
You will also receive a list of the items to test and/or approve.
Once you are happy with your website and it is approved for launch, you will be issued with an invoice for the final 50% of your proposal plus any additional items (such as extra images, newsletter design etc) which you may have requested along the way. This invoice must be paid before I move your website on to your hosting server.
Phase 5 – Deploy
Wahoo! Bring out the bubbly.
I will begin the process of installing the site on your server. This usually takes a day or 2, longer if there is a need to wait for certain elements of your server to be configured. We discuss this back in phase 2, so any delays would have been pre-empted.
If you are planning to add more pages or content, or simply need to embargo your site before launch, you will be provided with instructions on how to use a maintenance-mode, which will password protect your site and politely inform queue jumpers it’s not ready yet.
Training will be scheduled close to the time the site is deployed to your server. I will also discuss with you maintenance options in line with my Client Confidence Plans so you will remain supported post launch.