So you want a web site - what's the next step?

Let's have a chat

Okay first things first, relax - it's not dental work. Now because designing and developing a web site is part creative, part technical we'll need to chat about what your expectations are for the ideal website. What do you like? What do you dislike? What do you want your web site to do? Have you thought about your target audience? Who are trying to reach with your website? What sites do you currently like on the net?

These are just a few questions that will need to be answered. After all preparation at the start of the project saves valuable time and money. Knowing where we're going from the outset gives the project the right focus and also determines what is realistically achievable and what's not.

We'll also determine who the main stakeholders are in relation to the project and their respective roles in the development stage. Again, performing this simple act aids in the flow and quick completion of the project.

Kappi Creative utilize the principles and design practice of 'user centered design'. What does this mean? Well in essence it means the design and development are performed with you and your users in mind rather than what we think is best. Of course we use our expertise and experience in the development but we involve the users from the outset. So what you get at the completion of the project is a web site that is not just aesthetically pleasing but one that meets the usability guidelines for easy and intuitive use by each user who visits your site.

Wire frame

The next stage involves the wire frame design and your feed back. Kappi creative will provide you with a wire frame of the web site in which we can discuss the layout and functionality further. A wire frame is a rough draft, usually in the form of a line drawing in which you are provided the first glimpse of the new website. Once we agree on the initial layout we will then proceed to discuss styles and colour preferences further. The next phase involves the provision of a visual mock up - usually designed in a graphics suite. This will provide you with a near realistic representation of the site.

Protoypes

Once the wire frame has been agreed on we will then go away, hide from the world and after copious amounts of coffee and several late nights, provide you with a working prototype of the site. This is where you and each stakeholders' feedback is essential. Once you're happy and the approval documentation is signed off . . .then we proceed with the next stage.

This is where we begin the actual coding which includes all the functionality you requested. Aspects such as contact forms and emails, newsletter sign ups, database driven catalogues are all implemented in this phase.
The list of skills and technologies utilized are:

• XHTML or HTML 5
• CSS
• PHP
• Javascript
• mySQL
• ajax

Note: To ensure the smooth running of the project we ask each client to provide the content and images required for the web site. One of the main causes of delay in web development projects is the lack of provision from the client in relation to images and text for the web site. If you need Kappi Creative to provide the images then that can be accounted for. Remember however that content is 'King' as they say. The content of your web site is of utmost importance, after all you want to instill confidence and reassurance in your clients concerning you and your business.

Web site presentation to client

Nearly there. At this stage we present the working site to the client and show all the functionality and content. At this stage we make small changes if required (not a redesign) You may want to alter some of the copy or change some of the images supplied and that's fine, we'll take care of that. Once you’re happy then the sign off sheet is signed by you and we continue with the final stage of further user testing, testing the sites across all platforms to iron out any technical glitches should they arise.

Go Live

Here we launch the site to your web server, provide you with backups and the relevant documentation and ensure things are running smoothly.

Cheerio but not goodbye

Many customers simply don't have time or resources to maintain and update their web sites on a regular basis so Kappi Creative provide the option of a yearly maintenance contract* that gives you peace of mind knowing that your site is in good hands.

*Separate charges apply for monthly maintenance contracts