Sharla’s Web has simplified the web design process to provide customers with professional website solutions at a fraction of the price of many other developers. We can ensure that the process of developing your website is quick, interactive and friendly.
We keep in regular contact with you at all stages of the development to ensure you are kept up to date with progress of the site. This gives you a good opportunity to provide feedback and direction if you wish.
Generally our website development process consists of the following stages:
Planning and Information Gathering
In the planning stage you should think about what you wish to accomplish with your new website. Determine if you will need any special functionality or interactivity with your visitors, consider the type of design style that appeals to you and then let us know.
This phase should clearly state the client’s requirements, and should contain all the information needed to design and develop a solution, so we will ask you to complete our basic Website Requirements Survey.
Between now and the Development phase, we will also ask you to supply any company literature, materials, images and content copy you would like included on the website.
Website Development Agreement
Once we have come to an agreement on project details and price, we will prepare a website development Agreement for you to review, sign and send back with your deposit.
The signed Agreement and a 50% deposit is required before we begin your project. The remainder of your balance will be due upon project completion.
Sharla’s Web will never go above a quote unless the client makes additions after the work has been commenced.
Design
We will liaise with you through the entire design process, creating mock-ups or a working template of the design, getting feedback and requesting advice or direction where needed. This will allow you to see the look and functionality of your site and approve or make suggestions prior to final customisation.
The site’s navigation structure will be a main focus here as it must be quick and easy for your visitors to browse.
Once the client is completely satisfied with the proposed look and feel, we will move forward with development and start programming to construct the site framework.
Development and Programming
Based on your Agreement and the final design selected, we create as many static or dynamic pages as needed to complete your site.
The development phase is where all coding, programming, links and content is created and optimised. If necessary, creation or import and conversion of all database information is also done at this time.
Standard conventions for good programming style (site-wide CSS stylesheets, web-based content management systems, highly optimised graphics, etc) are always used by Sharla’s web when developing sites.
Testing and Client Review
During this phase, Sharla’s Web tests the whole site to make sure it meets the requirements of the design and programming briefs. The site is then placed on a test server for the client’s review.
Other testing during this phase includes a search engine readiness check, browser compatibility testing to ensure proper display and functionality on a variety of different operating systems and browsers, a grammar and spell check as well as a dead link check for misdirected links and missing files.
Any email contact forms and/or programming features included in your project are tested to confirm they are functioning as required.
At this stage, the site has been completed and is ready for you to start your own testing to ensure it meets your requirements and expectations. This is the stage where you can request changes and will be shown how to use your site if it is a content management system.
Deployment
Once it is demonstrated that the web site functions as required and agreed upon, it is time for final payment and is then published live on your public web server where all necessary website files and scripts are copied to your domain and databases are setup.
When the website is live, any interactive programming and scripts are tested again to verify proper function.
After successful deployment, it is time for your site to be submitted to search engines and directories. It should be noted that at no time can we guarantee when or where the search engines will place your website within their search results or directory.
Once your site has been launched, Sharla’s Web will provide you with a free e-book, Tips for Promoting your Website, to help you perform all other web site marketing strategies.
Ongoing Support and Warranty Phase
Minor adjustments to the website are included at no charge for up to two weeks after the website has launched. Minor changes include adding or changing text and photos etc. Any major revision requests will require additional discussion and will possibly incur additional charges.
Successful web sites must be kept up-to-date with fresh new content. As your business requirements change, the needs of your site will also change.
Sharla’s Web offers web maintenance services whether or not we developed your site initially. Our maintenance services have a fast turn around time and are very affordable. Simple update requests will often be completed within 30 minutes of notification.