The Web Design Process

• Define what site is going to be about
• Plan it out - what information will be where
• Design the site
• Build the site
• Test and evaluate the site
• Publish including listing with search engines
• Update and Maintain, Track useage

The Process - Define

• what's the purpose?
• who is the intended audience?
• what is the primary content?
• what kind of interaction with readers is needed?
• who is webmaster, content master? who is responsible for what?
• what server is being used? In-house? or outsourced to an ISP or web host? Which one?
• are domain names needed?

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Process - Plan

Determine :

• What information is needed
• Components: graphics, multimedia, forms
• Interaction, Interface, Menu
• Rough layout of screens
• Outline of Content
• Establish a timeline for completion

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Process - Design Build prototype

• Create Structure for a small version of site
• core page
• menu system
• templates
• Incorporate enough pages to get a feel for the system. Pages may be "under construction"
  
• Incorporating content is not necessary at this stage, though you may want to add some to create the feel for the site.
• Begin programming needed for structure
  • Scripting, Applets, Database interface

Process - Design: KEY CONCEPT

Design for Content NOT Layout

• Content is Readable
• Content is Organized
  • Desired information is easy to find
• Site is easy to use
• Site meets Accessibility Standards

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Process - Build the site

• Add content
  • If overwhelmed with content, start small
  • More content will be added over time 
• Incorporate graphics and multimedia
• Continually check links are properly working
• Finish programming needed for structure
• Add programming needed for content

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Process - Test and evaluate the site

• PROOFREAD site
• Test ALL links
• Check if all programming is functional
• Check graphics and layout
  • Check using several web browsers & versions
  • Check using several screen resolutions
  • Check using several platforms
• Invite evaluation of others
  

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Process - Publish

• Upload all files to web server.
• RETEST
• Publicize
  • List with search engines
  • Cross promote with other sites
  • Distribute URL - Place on business stationary, bumper stickers, email signature, tell people
  • Advertise
  • NEVER SPAM
    

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Process - Maintain & Update

• Maintain
  • Check links
  • Check programming
• Update – Keep Site Current
  • Add new content
  • Delete outdated content
• Track Usage
  • Responses from web via email and forms submitted
  • Access reports for web server
    

And the process continues on. Go back through the whole process from time to time.

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