Web Systems and Design from Nick Lewis

Defining the scope of the project is normally the first step, it's all about answering questions: what are we going to build? what functionality are we going to provide? how will the site be maintained? etc. Another key question at this stage is what is out of scope, geting this right prevents the elastic IT project where cost and timescale stretch apparently indefinitely. Once the questions are answered we will have a good idea of the cost and timescale of the project.

A key part of the process is producing the content that will fill the site, this usually means text and images.Text and photographs are normally provided by the client, often re-purposed from existing printed brochures and other material.I often produce other graphical elements which are incorporated into the site especially where these are intrinsic to the site design or navigation. Of course we can include videos, music, multimedia presentations etc. we will need to discuss these on a site by site basis.

We need to understand the structure of the information you want to present and how visitors to your site will best move through it. This is where we will decide what goes on which page; and indeed how many pages there will be. We will lay down the route the visitor will follow through the site, or we will design a structure that allows him to wander at will. This is one of the most difficult areas to get right for a new site but I will be available to advise and ease you through this critical part of producing a really effective web site.

By this stage we will know how the data will be organised and this will help us decide how the navigation will work, the look and feel of the site, the color scheme and so on. Often the site is built to reflect an existing corporate image and colour scheme inorporating an existing logo etc but this is not a hard and fast rule. Whatever is decided I will be there to put the graphics together and provide ideas within the framework you require.

Once we have agreed what is going to be built and put together the content it's over to me to put it all together. I will post the site on a private location where you can review it, once you are happy you will be asked to 'sign off' the site after which I will move it to it's final home and you can start to reap the benefits of your new site.

A web site is a dynamic thing, either it is being regularly updated or it is dying where it stands. Most of the sites I build are software systems where the client can simply maintain data on line and that data forms part of the site. This allows regular planned maintenance to be carried out without any intervention from me. You can also rest assured that I will provide the same quality of workmanship and service as I offer during the initial build when more fundamental maintenance is required.