Blog Layout

5 step process to Website Design and Development

Apr 05, 2016

sheree

Many web development companies shroud their design and development processes in mystery, jargon and secrecy. Here at Icon, we have our processes and procedures, but our transparency and communication ensure the client understands every step of the way and is involved in the final delivery of a website.

So below, we outline the five step project management process to ensure your website meets with business goals and objectives and that your project is delivered on time and on budget.

Step 1 - Discovery Phase

The Discovery Phase is a critical planning process when designing and developing websites. It is here that we work with you to understand more about your business, your overall objectives and where your website will fit in with your overall business model and plans.

Step 2 – Details Phase

Once the initial business questions are answered, the details phase of the project then starts going into more specific online goals such as

How is the success of the website going to be measured?
What types of content will you present on the site, how often will they be updated and who will manage the updates?
What social media are you using or planning to use and how can this be integrated into the site
Do you plan of selling directly from online?
Do you require a private login section?

Keywords for your business

Part of the details phase is to develop a targeted keyword list that wil form the basis of website content – making sure optimum SEO is already being planned for before any design or copy. The keyword list is developed with a balance of relevancy to the business, popularity on search engines and a mix of competitive keywords and phrases.

Step 3 – Design Phase

The initial planning and discovery that is set out in the first two phases is now put into practicality and transformed into stylish design.

Target audience is one of the many factors taken into consideration for design, encorporating the right elements that will attract visitors and keep them interested as well as providing a clear path to action.

The design phase includes the development of Google friendly SEO website copy.

Phase 4 – Development Phase

Once all the elements are in place, the website project moves to Icon’s in-house development team to take what is just artwork and turn it into your interactive website.

As every detail has been planned and thought out from the beginning, your website, when you see it in action as a test site, should meet and exceed your expectations, bringing to life online tools, images and navigation elements.

Phase 5 – Deployment Phase

Once all content is uploaded and the test website is approved, Icon will run final checks to ensure site functionality and compatibility. The overall project is carefully checked including indexing with major search engines and setting up reporting functionality.

When the new website has been verified, the website is made live to everyone on the internet and digital marketing campaigns are put into action to immediately drive traffic to your new website

Icon uses a five step project management process to ensure your website meets with business goals and objectives and that your project is delivered on time and on budget.

Step 1 - Discovery Phase

Step 2 – Details Phase

Once the initial business questions are answered, the details phase of the project then starts going into more specific online goals such as

How is the success of the website going to be measured?

What types of content will you present on the site, how often will they be updated and who will manage the updates?

What social media are you using or planning to use and how can this be integrated into the site

Do you plan of selling directly from online?

Do you require a private login section?