Part 1 of our blog post outlined the need for clarity as web design projects begin. We covered the RPF process, The Contract, and Identity Development, three crucial elements of the design process that rely heavily on input from the client. Knowing how to say what you mean and mean what you say can help guide you smoothly from soup to nuts.
In part two, we explore the four remaining parts: the design and development of your website, as well as the content management and website launch.
The Design Process
Design composites developed during the design phase are meant to reflect the personality and history of the customer. If you’re not entirely upfront, the accuracy and clarity of design can be compromised. As well, supplying the design team with company style guides before the process starts will ensure that the proper fonts, logos and other necessary style elements are used. This can save you lots of time and money.
As design comps are offered up for feedback, this is an excellent time to tell us what you don’t like and what you do like. Using the clear communications established in the RFP phase will come in handy. Explain what you mean when the logo is “too green” or “it doesn’t look right.” Designers are highly skilled at what they do, but they aren’t mind readers. If you don’t speak up, they can’t refine the design appropriately.
The Development Process
After the design has been selected and finalized to represent the customer’s true identity, the designs are sent to the developers so that they can make the site come alive. Any functionality included in the site will be developed during this phase.
Although much, if not all of the functionality and user capabilities were spelled out while the contract was being drafted, adding or revising the specifications can be done along the way. However, if it’s not added during the development process, changes can be quite costly and slow down the project considerably.
Usually once developed, the site remains on a temporary server, which allows for user testing. This is the best time to get familiar with your site. Bring in other people from your company to play around the site and use it much the same way you expect your customers to. Any questions or infrastructural changes you have can be made easily now by the development team.
Content Management
Websites require content. Although Sisarina’s content management system (CMS) is easy to use and ideal for adding and editing content, customers are encouraged to supply any or all content while sites are in development. Taking the time the upload content after the site has been developed can further delay the process.
If you don’t have content or need content rewritten, it’s best to work that into the contract, so that the marketing team can write new content specifically for your site.
The Website Launch
Establishing clear channels of communication at the beginning will ensure that your site will launch on time. However, there are many tasks that customers must complete before a site has launched. If it is a new site, has the domain been secured? Do you need to set up a PayPal account for ecommerce? If the site has been redesigned, current customers may need to be updated about any anticipated downtime or content reorganization. Of course, your project manager will guide you through these steps, but preparing for them ahead of time can make a difference.
Finally, before a site is successfully launched, it’s strongly recommended that several employees or administrators be trained about how to manage the web site. While customer support is always available, Sisarina works to empower its clients so that they can own and manage their sites confidently and masterfully.
Customer training is built into our contracts to ensure that enough time is allotted before the site is launched.
Conclusion
Web design and other marketing campaigns aren’t hands-off projects. Their success depends on the input and decisions of our clients. Being involved in the process helps to maintain clarity and keep expectations within reach. Being open and honest throughout all the phases described will help keep your branding and marketing messages on track. Best of all, staying on track will assure your customers that your website is open for business.
