pkbowen Design & Technology || 231.215.0400

Five Steps to a Great Website

Remember when I said that these sites require minimal client involvement? They can be that way. I can take the project idea (vague idea, bar-napkin sketch, or whatever else) and run with it. That way, we only have one meeting or one phone conversation before I begin on the project.

1. We sit down with a pencil and paper, and do some good, old-fashioned sketching and brainstorming. We use the graphics that will be produced, and arrange them to make a "template." What comes out of this session is the "design" direction that the website will take.

2. Next come the custom graphics, that help make your website interesting and visually appealing. Each option has its advantages for certain types of businesses, and they can be used to convey different messages within the same website.

We will choose the easiest and most effective design medium together! These options include:

Vector-based (2D, "shape-based")

Raster graphics (2D, "photo-based")

3D renderings (3D to 2D, images based on models)

3. Next, we determine the navigational structure of the website, as well as what features you would like included. These types of features include:

Forums and message boards

Shopping carts or other ordering forms

Syndicated blog posts (RSS feeds)

4. After all the planning is done (by me, both of us, or by your entire organization in a meeting that I conduct), then I begin to work on the website. I email you the link as soon as the first workable concept is done.

From that point on, I encourage you to critique my work, and to email me information, documents, pictures, and anything else that you would like on the website.

5. The design is done. Now, we talk about hosting options. If you go through me, there is no setup fee, and a monthly fee will get you hosting and updates. If we decide to go that route, then I will purchase the best domain name, and set up a hosting plan for free.