The workflow: from beginning to end
Through the years I've been trying to find the perfect workflow to finally realise that there's no such thing, simply because every client has different needs.
However, after I adapt to those needs, I try to follow a strict process to ensure that the clients know which steps we will follow and as the best method to beat the deadlines.
Every type of service has its own workflow, but on the lines below I describe the process of production of the longest of projects, which would be the creation of a website from scratch.
0 - Touching base
Before starting, we get to talk about what's your vision, which are the goals you want to achieve and all the details of your project.
Then I study it and try to measure the energy needed to bring your project to life and send you a quote for it.
1 - Structuring the content
The content and what you want to communicate are the most important parts of your website. That's why to kick off the project, we have to come up with the information and device the structure on how we'll deliver it to the audience.
2 - Wireframes
Once the content is gathered and the features defined, I start working with wireframes.
Wireframes provide detailed information on all the elements that will eventually appear on screen and their preliminary location
on the screen.
They become an approximation to the content architecture shifting away from the visual design of the project.
3 - Design: Drafts & Interactive Prototypes
Once the content architecture is agreed, I start the graphic design of the website.
This becomes a very close mock up of the final design and it's delivered to you from draft 1 in shape of interactive prototypes so that you can almost taste how your site is going to look.
From the first draft we make all the necessary arrangements to meet and suit your desires until you're 100% happy with it.
4 - Development: Coding & Building the site
Once the design is fully approved, I start building the website from the content-out.
The websites are hand coded and based on XHTML and CSS using semantic code and following the best practices of the Web Standards.
This ensures that the code is easily understandable so you (and your team) can use it as needed in the future.
5 - Adding the content
At this stage and depending on the project, I could either enter the content or you could do it yourself via CMS if that's your choice.
6 - Testing
The website is build using Firefox 3 as development environment.
However, the project is fully tested in various OS and all the major browsers, from Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6, Opera, Chrome and Safari.
Accessibility and usability are main priorities while designing and developing the websites, but in the previous step to publishing, we stress tests to ensure it's availability for all.
7 - Publishing
Finally I publish your website and open it to the public.
I offer webhosting solutions to all my clients, but I can also publish on the clients servers or hand over all the files so that your team uploads the whole project to your server.
8 - Customer Service & Maintenance
Once the project has been published I still offer customer service to all my clients in case they have any issue with the delivered project or need any extra features added.
I also offer maintenance and updating in various affordable plans in case you don't want to have to update your website yourself.
And that's the process, from beginning to end, that I follow in order to create a website.
Obviously, it's not set in stone and I always adapt to the needs of the client so that the experience of working together is not only successful but pleasant as well.
