The Website Design Process

Your 10 step guide to the Curiously Creative website design process

Step 1: First Contact

You have come across my website while surfing the net, or maybe my services have been recommended by a friend or colleague. If you are interested in taking the first step towards your new online presence, simply contact me by whatever means you feel comfortable with (phone or email) and I will make time to chat to you via e-mail.

Step 2: Consultation

During the consultation, I will gather as much information about your requirements as I can, and in turn you will have the opportunity to question me about anything you are not sure about. If a meeting is not possible, I will discuss your needs with you via e-mail and you can then fill in one of my questionnaires.

Step 3: Quotation

Once I have all the information I need, I will be able to provide you with a written quote or estimate, usually within 48 hours. This will outline all the chargeable aspects of the website so you know exactly what you are getting for your money. This quotation or estimate is a firm estimation of the cost of the website. However if you choose to add extra features, pages or functionality (which is fine, as it is common to overlook things at the first consultation), you will be provided with an updated quote.

Step 4: Contract Signing & First Payment

Once both parties are happy with the final cost, I will ask you to sign the quote or estimate after you have read the terms and conditions. I will only begin to produce your website once you have indicated your approval and acceptance of this by signing off a hard copy of the quotation or estimation, and once you have supplied all the materials I need to begin website construction.

Step 5: Initial Design Production

Once all the paperwork is out of the way, I can get into the creation of your new website. I will supply you with a list of required materials that I will need to begin designing your new website, which often includes the items below:

a digital copy of your logo if you have one (scanning or conversion of the logo will be quoted separately)
an outline of your corporate colours
copies of existing corporate identity material such as business cards, brochures, letterheads, packaging, etc.
all photos in digital form (preferably high-resolution jpeg files) (scanning will be quoted separately)
text for all pages in digital form (Word documents)
tabular data
location maps or other special graphics

Once I have everything I need, I can begin. Curiously Creative will produce a static design concept (also known as a “layout” or “mock-up”) of your website and upload it for you to view and approve. This is a non-functioning but visually accurate “image” of your site, which gives you an idea of how the finished product will look.

While I hope to produce exactly what you are after the first time, I understand that there will often be changes to the look of the design before you are completely happy with it, so at this stage you can provide feedback for me to refine your design.

Step 6: Design Sign-off

Once you are satisfied with the design, I ask that you provide a written statement (via mail or email) to signify approval of the design. Please note that additional changes to the website static design concept after this time will incur extra charges, so be sure that you are completely happy with the design before proceeding!

Step 7: Website Construction & Testing

Once I have received approval of the static design concept I can start constructing the pages of the website using the content you have supplied. At the end of the construction process I will upload the testing version of the website to a private location so you can review and make any changes, and so I can set up forms.

Step 8: Website Launch & Final Payment

When you are completely happy with all aspects of the website, I ask that you make your final payment and sign the last section of the contract which indicates that the website has been completed to your specifications. When your website is loaded live, final payment must be made.

Step 9: Promotion & Search Engine Submission

My services do not stop once the website is live! The 3 month period after your website launch is important in developing search engine popularity that I offer either as part of the original quotation or as a stand-alone service.

Step 10: Ongoing Maintenance & Improvements

To keep them current and interesting for viewers, websites should be regularly updated with new content. This helps with search engine rankings as well as keeping your clients informed about the latest goings-on within your business as well as the services and products you offer.