Web Design and Development Process

Designing and developing a website is a tedious with numerous steps to work on. The process may vary from one designer to another, but the basics will mostly be the same.

Data gathering, analysis and definition
Planning the site structure
Structuring and selection of the design
Development
Test, refine, and launch
Maintenance
Data Gathering, Analysis and Definition

This is the most crucial step of the process; the ideas that the designer gathers from you – the owner of the website – will go a long way to help create the website based on your specifications. The worst problem a designer would probably encounter would be to work with clients who do not supply the necessary details, and then blames the designer if the website’s design did not exceed or even pass their expectations. It is always best for you and the designer to cover this ground through proper documentation – going through a “client survey interview would” be the best thing to do. You could either fill-up a form or go over the questions while brainstorming with the designer. Those details will be summed up in a client’s brief that your designer would create to define what the project is about, the goals, the target audience’s profile and perception, message to convey and the competitive edge – this together with the survey would be used to bring an imaginary audience into life. After going through these processes, the designer would have to draw a timeline for each phase of the project so that each milestone would be recorded and achieved in a timely manner.

Planning the Site Structure

When planning the structure of the site the designer must collaborate closely with the client on the content. Brainstorm with him/her to create a list of all the contents that the website must have. Then, he will spend time going over the list in order to trim it down to what are most applicable to the target audience and goals giving sufficient thought to how the site will grow in order to leave room for further development. After categorizing the content of the site, you need to go over the changes with him to see if they meet your approval. Next, would be the creation of a sitemap based on the content. A sitemap is a visual imagery of the outlined structure and content of the site. Lastly, is the creation of the wireframes. A wireframe is an illustration of the different pages and the content of each page – it includes the different elements like images and navigation. It also contains footers and other instrumental elements.

Structuring and Selection of the Design

Now, it’s time for a clearer view of what your designer is working on. As with the other steps, you need to work closely together. A thorough analysis of the materials on hand, while going over the points you want clarified and changed is necessary before giving your designer autonomy over the creation of the design. At this time, he can already surmise the different aspects he must work on. This part of the process needs time and patience from you and the designer because you would have to go over several drafts of the visual forms before you can get the final design.

Development

This is the creation and development stage of the website. As this point, your designer will piece together all of the individual visual elements in order to confirm, and refine a technically functional plan which you need to review and check in order to know if it will be finished on time and within the budget or if you need to make some adjustments. After going to the first phase, then the creation and the integration of the site will start which is the 2nd phase of the development process. It is absolutely necessary to receive updates and give feedback while the site is continually developing in this stage.

Test, Refine, and Launch

This is when your web designer will apply the finishing touches to your website and test if before going live. It is imperative to conduct a quality assurance test of the content, validation, accessibility, validity, load testing, connection speed, scripts, usability, links, Search Engine Optimization, and security. There are 3 levels of priorities at this point. The first one are those which need to be fixed before a website can go live, followed by those which could help improve it, but you can afford to go live without, and last, would be those ideas for future consideration. When you give the final green light, the site will be uploaded to the server using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol Program.) Subsequently, a last test run will be done to check that everything is running as they should before launch. Then, your website is now set to go live!

Maintenance

The work does not necessarily end after the launching of the website. You need to constantly update your content and manage it. You can use a CMS (Content Management System) if you prefer to cut cost and do things on your own. Maintenance is one of the things you should remember to discuss with your web designer so that he could add the essential software for you to maintain the site after going live. However, if you are one of those type who are less adventurous when it comes to technology or if you are a busy person who is always on the go, it would be preferable to set an agreement with your designer to manage the site for you, and better yet if you want to drive traffic to your site, you could hire an SEO specialist if you have the financial resources to do so.

This are just the basic steps to designing, developing, and maintaining a website, however like most procedures it is subject to changes because most designers often come up with their interpretation of the stages and the implementation of their plans, so it is always best to keep the channel of communication open and be very patient.

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What Is A Business Plan? And Why Do I Need One

For many entrepreneurs the creation of a business plan is the biggest hurdle in the development process of their fledgling enterprise. There is a mystery, almost a dread in many people when discussion of a business plan requirement is first broached. They conceptualize a boring, dry, painful experience and many would like to avoid this step if at all possible.

What is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a document that qualifies, quantifies and narrates a commercial opportunity. It is that simple to state, more difficult to execute, but anyone can customize a business plan that gets results. The plan must have an exciting Executive Summary. Like the opening scenes of a movie, or the first chapter of a book, the writer must set a hook.

Typically, active investors, angels, venture capital groups and investment bankers are deluged with business plans. Screeners typically read the document before passing along to decision-makers within the firm. However, very few move along the decision making food chain precisely because the Executive Summary lacks excitement, punch or sets a high level of anticipation about what is inside the document.

Having written dozens of business plans for clients I can attest that creating a plan that works is, well, work. No two plans are alike. The plan must be customized, well researched, structured and direct. I receive more than 500 business plan submissions annually in my consulting firm. Less than 1% have commercial potential as written. Many describe products, services, retail or new business development ideas that otherwise might be exciting. However, the plan does not convey that potential.

One of the worst things to evolve from the arrival of the inter-net is the ability to download a business plan template and write the document by filling in the blanks. The template itself is not problematic, I use a self-developed template when I customize plans. The problem is that many entrepreneurs do not have the writing skills, the research in hand, know the keys that turn on investors and thus, take shortcuts. Filling in the blanks without sweating the details and doing comprehensive research results in a document that will not be read and an opportunity that will never launch.

Rule number one in the development of any commercial opportunity: shortcuts equal failure!

I am a self-taught business plan writer. If I can do it, anyone can. In reality, however, most people just want to expose their opportunity to investors, licensees or potential partners. They don’t have writing skills, do not know the types of research necessary to support the plans sales model, need help in creating the marketing strategy, and will never be able to narrate financials.
Where can they go to create and exciting business plan document.

The following are resources readily available in most communities. Many are free.

Many colleges, community colleges and universities have developed small business incubators. They attract additional state funding, as small business growth and development are keys to job creation and an increased tax base. Take advantage of this community asset. Students, graduate students and professors are often available to direct your efforts. Ten years ago there were only a handful such programs. Today, over 1000 schools have some version of an entrepreneurial program.

Many states, regional and local governments offer business development programs. They have retired business people and mentors on hand to support, guide and train prospective entrepreneurs and guide business plan creation. There is no charge for utilizing this service, after all, your tax dollar supports these programs.

SCORE, the Service Core of Retired Executives is a Federal Government sponsored initiative. Thousands of retired, experienced business people make themselves available to evaluate commercial opportunities and direct the development and launch of those deemed to have potential. They are often intimately involved in creating business plans.

The Ewing Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, MO is devoted solely to the development of entrepreneurial development. Mr. Kauffman started, nurtured and developed Marion Labs from a tiny drug local company into a multinational, multi-billion dollar powerhouse. He also owned the Kansas City Royals baseball team. His devotion to developing and promoting the entrepreneurial base of the United States resulted in creation of the foundation that bears his name.

Seek out a consultant. Typically consultants charge a fee, just like lawyers, accountants or plumbers. The advantage of an experienced consultant is that they write business plans for a living, will be strong writers, able to properly direct or perform research, narrate financials and differentiate a commercial opportunity by creating an exciting word picture. Always seek references and talk to several before deciding on a consultant.

Why Do I Need a Business Plan?

You might not. You might not need a deeply customized business plan if you are seeking to license or sell an invention, a patent or a prototype product. In this situation, the potential licensee would take your work product and develop a plan that fits their internal organizational needs.

However, if you are attempting to fund a start-up business, self-market a product or buy a small business you will absolutely need to create a road map. That road map is your business plan. The map is not linear, there will be curves and setbacks, but by quantifying, qualifying and narrating a well- researched, customized business plan you are much closer to success

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