Amanda will be coordinating your project while I am doing the design work behind the scenes. We will both be in contact with you throughout the entire project to make sure that everything is running smoothly and you are completely satisfied.
Account Set Up & Welcome
Once the initial deposit for a project is received, the fab Amanda will set up several accounts for you. This includes: the chosen CMS service (Business Catalyst), project management system (basecamp) and the client area of Moxie Pear. You will receive a welcome page with all of these links so it is easy for you to refer back to them as needed. The creative questionnaire, project agreement and homework assignment will be accessible through this page. The homework assignment is designed to help you really think about who your customers are and what you want from your new website and/or brand. The more information you are able to provide, the better understanding we will have for your design needs.
Planning
Once we receive your creative questionnaire and homework, I will go through everything and make sure that I don’t have any questions for you. If there is any clarification needed, we will set up a brief phone conversation before the design is scheduled to begin. This is when the planning process begins, which is usually done with good old pencil and paper. Once I hash out the sitemap (a visual map of the content of your site) then I will put together a wireframe so that I can see how all of the functions will work for you and your customers.
Design & Feedback
This is where I take all of my sketches and put them into the computer to create a static proof of your design. I start with the home page and then once we are both satisfied with the final design, I will move on to the interior page proofs and any other proofs that are included with your project.
Your feedback is always important but please take into consideration that I always have your best interests at heart. Everything I design is meant to help your website become super successful.
Installation
This is the part of the process that is a bit behind the scenes. I slice up and start coding the static proofs. Once that is complete, I begin the install them into Business Catalyst. From there, I set up all of the functions for your admin and website. This could be the newsletter, shopping cart, blog, etc.
During this time, I also design any of the additional proofs included with your project (ie. print designs, banner, designs, etc).
Testing Usability & Function
Once the site is completely installed, I go through and make sure everything is usable and functions correctly. I test each website in IE 8 & 9, Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
Additional Content & Launch
At this stage, I send over a final link to the finished site for you to look at. If you haven’t already entered your products, you would do this now. Once that is complete, you are ready to launch your website!
I recently put together this fun video detailing some of behind the scenes of the planning phase.