Planning

We believe that planning is the most important area of web site development. A definitive strategy needs to be developed and implemented to make sure that the project comes in on time, on budget. Sufficient time and resources need to be invested to make sure that it is well understood exactly what the client wants. It's important to ask the question, why do I want a web site and what do I want it to do for me? This drives the whole purpose of having a web site.

Registering a domain name (web address) that enables the user to find the web site is essential. It should be unique, but not too long. It should be easy to remember.



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Outside Services

Early in the development, a decision needs to be made as to who will host the web site. A comapny that provides hosting services will put the actual files of the web site on a computer. They will then configure that computer to recognize that domain name. They should be able to provide assurances that the site will be "up" and active at all times.

Although unrelated to the hosting of the web site, they may be able to provide Internet access and e-mail capabilities.



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Design

Generally a number of people are involved in the actual construction of the site. Someone will develop a design. Someone else will create web-ready graphics. Yet another person will write copy for each of the pages. Another person will write the code to put all of these elements together. Fonts and color schemes are also important in the design and layout of the web site. Putting together a design that the client is pleased with is the most important aspect of putting together the design.



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User Interface

The easiest way to drive someone away from a web site is to confuse him or her. Easy, user-friendly navigation is vital to keeping visitors and allowing them to find what they came to the site for. A site needs to be consistent and somewhat predictable. Sites that use obscure navigation have to work harder to keep users from leaving their site.



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Scripting

Most visitors to a web site never see the scripting that goes into the creation of every web page. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is used to bring all of the elements together and make them viewable in a web browser. JavaScript and other types of code make the site interactive and "alive". It's important to keep the code organized so that other developers can easily make modifications to the script if necessary.

Some developers use WYSIWYG programs that allow them put together web pages without having to write any HTML. We write the code ourselves. That way we can make sure that no "extra code" from any program gets included. We do use software to check the syntax of our code just to make sure we haven't missed something that could potentially be a problem.



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Media

Many sites today contain several types of media. It could be audio, video or even a simple PDF document. Providing these elements allows the visitor additional options when coming to a web site.

Decisions need to be made as to whether that media is downloaded to the user's own computer or sent as streaming media. Appropriate measures need to be put into place to make sure the user has any necessary plug-ins, players or viewers to use the media that you make available to the user.



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Testing

One of the things that too often gets neglected is testing. Extensive and varied testing needs to be done to make sure that as many users as possible can view exactly what you want them to see. Testing in several different browsers (and their usable versions), checking multiple operating systems (Windows and Macintosh) and a variety of colors and resolutions. It is important to determine what benchmark needs to be used and then make sure that the site works well in that environment.



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Optimize

Before the site gets launched, every piece of the web site needs to be optimized for performance. Many people will still use a dialup account to view the web site. If they have to wait for the site to load, they'll be gone before they see it. It is especially critical to make sure all images are optimized to their smallest size possible.

Web site structure is also important in making sure that the web site is well organized. Proper organization makes for a better workflow.



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Traffic

After a web site is developed, one more, very important step needs to be taken. A plan needs to be developed to get people to the site. META tags are placed in the site to allow search engines to index and list your site when users do a search on the keywords that are listed.

Search engines are a beast unto themselves. The most effective way to get listed at a search engine is to go to the search engine itself and submit the site. There are programs that can do a "mass submit" but their effectiveness is questionable. Though search engines are important and ought to be used, other methods need to be implemented as well.

Adding the name of the web site to promotional literature is a great way to "push people to the site". Trading links and/or banner ads can also be effective.

Traffic at a site can be measured by using a stat-tracking program. Most ISPs offer some kind of program to allow a business to see how many people are visiting their site. Other important information can be tracked as well.



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Security

Many sites today require some level of security. Credit cards are accepted at sites that sell something. If people enter information at a site in a form or other method, they also want to be sure that that data is not going to be spread around for others to see. Proper security methods must be put in place to make sure that the user is comfortable at a web site.



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Maintenance

Even after a site is developed, it's important to keep it current and fresh. Regular updates and content will keep visitors coming back to a site. Sometimes, new technology and changing browser specifications will require updating of the scripting and code. Using comment tags and a well-planned structure make maintenance easier and faster.



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CGI, Databases, etc.

Many larger sites today take advantage of databased information. These sites cost more to develop and require additional considerations from the hosting facility. Even a simple form requires a (Common Gateway Interface) CGI to process the data.

Active Server Pages and other development tools can make a web site dynamic and extremely flexible.



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New Technology

The web is constantly changing and new technologies can make a web site more exciting than ever. Flash and Dynamic HTML (DHTML) are changing the way that web sites look in dramatic ways. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Java and other new technologies make the way we view the web change at a rapid pace.

Although these new technologies are exciting, great consideration needs to be given before they are used. Some require extra plug-ins or faster connection speeds.



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Environment

The Internet isn't just web sites anymore. Companies use Intranets for internal communication and information. Applications are developed that run in a browser and require no software to be installed on the user's computer. These can function as an application for anyone connected to the Internet to do his or her job. This makes the possibility of telecommuting a reality in more ways than ever before.

How people access the web is also changing. Web TV, handhelds and other devices are changing the way we see the Internet.



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Conclusion

So what does all this mean? The web is changing and anyone that wants to be involved in it needs to be informed. Keeping up with current technology is vital. Building web sites that provide real benefit is critical. Costs need to be competitive, yet fair. Providing the client with a web site that they can be proud of should always be the goal.

If you have any questions regarding any of the information that you see here, contact us and we'll answer your questions.

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