The Process

One of the most important factors in ensuring a successful web site design project is understanding each other's requirements. I need to understand your objectives for your web site, and you need to understand what I need in order to build your web site.

So the first steps we follow in order to make the web site design and development process as smooth as possible is to arrange a meeting or, if that is not possible to talk on the phone.

I prefer to do some research before getting together. This ensures that we get maximum benefit from our meeting.

The preparation

Before we meet, I'll ask the following of you:

• Whether you have a current web site that you want to update;
• To send any marketing material you may have (logo's, brochures);
• To send any links to web sites that you like and why you like them;
• To email me images/photo's you would like to be part of the home page.

All of the steps mentioned are optional. They are just to give me some idea of what you require.

You may wish to leave some of the following decisions up to me (design etc), or you may have a definite idea of what you want.

When we talk, we'll chat about the following:

• Your company background and competitors;
• Your target market and goals for the website;
• Your visual design ideas (look and feel, logo, colours, layout);
• Content (text and images) and navigation system;
• Additional features required (online form, counter, search engine optimisation, content management tools or e-commerce);
• Domain name registration, web hosting, search engines, maintenance;
• Your deadline.

The process

A few days after our first talk, I'll email you links to the two website designs/mock-ups for the home page.

I'll then make any necessary changes to your chosen design.

Once I've built the web site home page and tested it in various browsers, I'll upload it to the Digitalplot web site for you to take a look at.

We'll discuss any minor changes and then sign off the website template. I'll then ask you for the content for your web site (text and images).

I'll also finalise the set up of your web space. I can do this for you, or you can do it yourself. Either way, we can recommend a reliable, efficient and affordable web hosting company.

The site build

Once the final design has been agreed, I'll start building the web site and add the text and images. This is where the web site is now becoming a reality. Once all the content has been added, we'll email you a link to take a look at the test web site.

Signing off the site

When you're happy with the test website, I'll upload all the website files to your web space and your web site finally be online.

To ensure a steady flow of traffic through your web site, you should try to keep adding new content. If people know you that regularly add content and update your site, they will keep coming back. This will also help your search engine ranking too. I'm happy to provide continued support for your web site, and am happy to make changes and updates where needed.

Throughout the process, I'll guide you and when the process has ended, I'll be there to offer advice and suggestions.

My primary concern and goal is that you're happy with your web site and that I've achieved the goals we set out at our first contact.

Please call me on 0208 749 9229/07921 142084 or email me at annie@digitalplot.co.uk if you have any queries or would like to set a date for your free consultation.

I look forward to working with you and helping your web site become a reality!