The process for building a new website is simple. Or, at least we try to make it that way.
We run a simple Content Management System (CMS) which allows you to update your site whenever from wherever. It's the same Open Source website management tool used to run the BarackObama.com campaign in 2008, as well as Sony BMG, MTV, and a host of other rocking websites. It's flexible and powerful, which is why we use it.
Obviously, we tweak it for our own purposes. Here's my simple launch strategy.
Wireframe: determine the kind of layout we want, where the menus would go, how the flow works, keeping it as simple as possible with a mind toward multiple platforms, screen sizes, etc.
You can contribute to this by simply showing me a few websites that are laid out in a way you like.
Mockups: create a mockup (or 3, 5, etc.) to display in graphic terms how the site will look in real life. It will include example pages, colors, logos, graphics, etc. It's best to show a landing page and a few pages with ordinary content that the owner or staff may add later. Things like news, events, articles, need to be considered and displayed.
We'll give you a few designs to consider. You pick the one you like and we'll move on to actually building the site.
Design: we work with the artist to convert the design concept into code and a real life launchable site. This is in fact not the hardest part of the business. Getting a client comfortable with a look and feel is. That's why we're so happy to work with artists who work hands on with the client.
Obviously, some ideas that work in Photoshop or Illustrator (graphics design) won't translate to the web well. That's why many ideas are scratched or modified in phase three. But, all three phases are important and fun for everyone.
