_process
The Web Design & Development Process
Here is an overview of the web development process. This can be useful to read before embarking on a new web development project, so that you will know what to expect.
- Information Architecture — This is the first step, and is primarily information gathering step. paradigm_shift works with you to collect all the information you will want to display on your site, organize that information, and decide on any special functionality. This is usually done before we are able to provide an accurate estimate for the project costs.
- Concept Development — In this stage, paradigm_shift designs custom interface for your web project. This is one of the things that sets paradigm_shift apart from other small web development firms. We offer custom-designed, creative, artistic websites instead of a template-based website. Designs are presented as static (non-active) images or “screenshots” of what your site will look like. Templates are designed for each distinct area of the site, from one template for a simple infomrative site, to several tempaltes for a complex site requiring different functionality in different areas.
- Template Coding — During this stage, the design concepts are converted from static images to working web pages, then tested in as many web browsers as possible for consistency across all platforms and computers. This requires writing quite a bit of code (even for a simple site — in fact, it can be the most labor-intensive part of the entire process for a simple site).
- Hosting Setup — This can actually come before or after Template Coding. paradigm_shift makes sure that all the technical details are taken care of to display your website on the internet. This involves registering a domian name (if you haven’t already done so), setting up a hosting package (paradigm_shift can make recommendations for your specific budget and technical requirements), and setting up a temporary “Coming Soon” page. paradigm_shift can also set up email addresses, SPAM filters, and perform any other hosting-related tasks you might require during this stage.
- Content Insertion — This is the stage where all the different links are built out and all the content is inserted into the appropriate pages. Usually the site will have a strange address like yoursite.com.s5070.gridserver.com. This is because we will want to test the site thoroughly before releasing it to the public.
- Testing — You will play a critical role in testing your own site. paradigm_shift thoroughly tests all the sites we develop, but you are ultimately responsible for your own site. Testing yor own site is also a good way to familiarize yourself with the various pages and aspects of your site. Usability Testing can also be performed at this stage, at the client’s request. This involves employing several different people as “testers”, asking them to perform a specific task on your website and observing how easily they are able to perform that task. The entire process is recorded (video, audio, and screen capture), and the results are studied for areas that could pose a problem to the use of the website. This can give us valuable insight about areas of the site that are hard to understand and/or navigate, and allow us to make improvements.
- Taking the Site “Live” — This just involves “flipping the switch” so that your domain points to the new website, and is viewable to the public.
- Search Engine Listing — paradigm_shift always takes the necessary steps to get your website listed with all the major search engines (Google, Yahoo!, AOL, MSN, etc.). Your website will have basic Search Engine Optimization techniques employed, to maximize your ranking. However, further Search Engine Marketing tasks are outside the scope of normal web development. paradigm_shift can assist in those areas as well, usually addressed and billed as a separate project.
For each step above, approvals are obtained at every step, so that paradigm_shift does’t get too far along down a path that the you are not happy with.