Web Creation/Redesign Methodology

Over the years my methods have grown and developed. They've been influenced by my experience, by other web builders, and by my studies in web project management. The book, Web ReDesign: Workflow that Works, by Kelly Goto and Emily Cotler, served me well by putting a visual structure to my methods. If you are a web creator, I suggest reading it. Much of what follows was inspired by their book.

Discovery & definitions

Some questions: Why is this site needed? Who will want to see it? How will it change them? Why do you want this to happen? What are some key messages? Is this site part of a larger initiative? Who are you competing against? When do you need this by? Budget?

This first phase is often over-looked by web developers and their clients. Unfortunately, it is the most crucial. Spending time and energy at this phase can save lots of money down the road.

This is when the big questions are answered, when information overload is a good thing, and when the client and the contractor come to agree on some very important points.

Site structure

In this phase we rough out what people will do at the site and how they will do it. This means nailing down the content and feature needs.

It also means determining…

• site maps
• content lists
• writing task assignments
• photography and art gathering assignments
• and brainstorming features like games or surveys

It also means finding the best words to describe parts of the site. We draft labels and navigation that will work for the audience.

Visual design

Now that we've figured out what the site will accomplish and who will be looking at it, the visual design can begin in earnest.

This phase involves looking over a few different design ideas, progressing on one, testing some designs with some sample site users, revising, and so on. By the time this phase is done, we will have a web page template that is pleasing to the client and approved by the audience.

Production

Production is where we take the visual design and the content and bring them together. With a rough draft of the site done, we test with more users to identify remaining major usability issues and site bugs. Revise and do over until satisfied.

Launch and post-launch management

The site launch can be simple or it may be a publicity push with the media. Whatever it is, it needs to be thought of well in advance.

• site maintenance…who, how, and how often?
• site promotion in search engines
• marketing check
• web site statistics…why you should care
• how to measure success
• next steps