Web Site Development - A Developers View
Date: 6 August 2008

Web Site Development – A Developers View

There was considerable interest and feedback to our recent article on web site development. So we thought it would be a good idea to include a developers view of the process.

We gave Raewyn White of @URL the "developers right of reply" to balance the last article and assist you in understanding the process and what is important for making it successful from the developers point of view.

@URL has been building successful web sites since May 1995, ranging from sole operators to Top 10 NZ companies in a wide range of industries. They work in association with a number of other specialist companies to meet the needs of any web project. Links to recent sites and helpful advice about doing business on the web can be found at http://www.url.co.nz

Inquiries are welcome - contact Raewyn Whyte by phone 09 376 5792 or raewyn@url.co.nz

Raewyns article -

How to work with successfully with your web developer

The creation of a successful web site takes more than skill in using software to design and build a series of interlinked web pages.

For even a relatively small business web site, web development requires knowledge of business practice, brand development and marketing strategy; information architecture, useability practices, graphic design for the web, user interface design; html and associated languages such as php and/or asp; database integration, web programming for such things as automated processes, site search engines, Content Management Systems; search engine optimisation; liaison with clients and web hosting organisations, and keeping up with new developments in all these areas.

Ideally, web development is a team process undertaken by skilled and knowledgeable individuals with areas of specialty, and with the committed involvement of the client. Clear communication is essential between all members of the team -- but especially between the client and their development liaison person ("the developer"). The client's expertise in running their business has to combine with the web developer's expertise in developing web sites for the end result to be a successful site that achieves what you want.

So what does a web developer expect from the client?

A seasoned web developer will be want to talk the project through with you, and will provide lots of advice, options, and possibilities as they do so. They will probably give you a set of questions* [eg www.url.co.nz/advice/starting_out.php ] to consider before they meet with you, and ask you to check out your competitors' web sites as well... And they will expect you to have done your homework before the meeting.

Whether this is a new project or a redevelopment project, their goal will be to get a clear sense of what you want to achieve, and some consensus about the best ways to achieve it, so they can provide you with a well-informed proposal with an indicative estimate and timeline for developing the site. If it is a large project, they will probably suggest a phased development which means you will have enough time to prepare materials thoroughly.

If you are planning to build a brand new web site, the web developer will at the very least expect you to have a sense of what you want your web site to achieve -- the site's purpose for your business, and specific objectives for particular aspects of your business and for the performance of the site. They will want to know who your target audience is, and what kinds of experience you want them to have on the site. From these the developer will be able to advise you about the options for achieving what you are hoping for.

The developer will also expect that you have some idea about the content you want to include on the site web site -- the focus of each page or section of the site, the activities you want visitors to the site to carry out, the functions you want the site to carry out automatically, the branding requirements and any preferences you have for what the site should look like.

They will ask if you have digital versions of your logo and any existing branding material, whether you have information already prepared for the site, and in what form it exists -- and they will especially want to know about your product information. If you are still at the beginning of the process, they will give you advice about how to prepare your material for the web site (and perhaps give you a copy of Rachel McAlpine's helpful book), or they night put you in contact with a web writing specialist.

Unless the developer is going to do the web site hosting for you, they will ask you who your ISP is, and where your domain is hosted, and will discuss options for web site hosting.

If the project is to redevelop your web site, the developer will want to know what you have learned from your existing web site and the ways in which visitors have used it, what is successful and what is not, what needs to be added, what can be removed. They may carry out a web site audit as the next step, in which they scrutinise existing web stats and existing site materials, and provide a series of questions for you and your staff to answer. After that they will prepare a project proposal with an indicative estimate and timelines.

The process of building the site

Most developers will require all of your material to be in their hands before they create the site -- that includes text, images, data, podcasts /videoclips/soundfiles/files for download, keywords and keyword phrases. They will set a mutually agreed timeline with you to ensure your site is developed on time, and they will need you to commit to meeting the agreed target dates.

In the period when you are writing your text and gathering your product images and creating a backup of your data, recording podcasts or preparing video clips, they will be working on the look and feel of the site and will present you with some designs to choose from.

Once a design is approved, and they have your material, they will build the site.

As the site develops, the developer will provide you with password-protected access to the site so you can be sure that what has been agreed is what is being created. When the site is complete, they will ask you to double check the content of every page and to test every function before you sign off the site to go live. They will make any necessary amendments following your checking, and ask you to check once again. .

The setup of hosting and necessary changes to domains or email will generally happen just before the site is ready to go live. Either your developer will do this for you, or they will provide you with details needed by the hosting organisations for the setup to be done.

When you have approved the site, they will transfer it to the web host's server, and it will be live

Before you add your web site address and email address to your email signature, business cards and letterhead, or advertising, you should CHECK with your developer to make these details are correct.

How to achieve the best outcomes for you and the developer

Both of you need to be able to communicate clearly what it is you expect, and to be sure you do understand what the other person is proposing. This means you need to prepare for meetings, listen carefully, ask questions to clarify any information you don't understand, double check any points which have to be mutually agreed.

If you don't understand, or you disagree, talk it through at the point where the misunderstanding has occurred. Don't let it ride till later.

Make sure the timeline is realistic for you to achieve. If you are stating from scratch, it can take up to 3 months (or more) for you to get all the necessary material together.

Make sure the budget is realistic and that you will be able to meet the agreed payment schedule. It is common for development costs to be split into three equal payments - typically one in advance, one during progress, and one a month after completion. Most developers will be flexible about the arrangements but will expect you to make payments on time.

If you need help with preparation of your material, say so right at the start. Your developer will be able to refer you to people who can help if his/her own team lacks that expertise.

If you find yourself falling off the timeline, tell the developer right away. It may be necessary to reset the timeline for your project.

Don't compromise the success of the whole project by ending up with a look you can't live with. If you are not happy with the design options presented, figure out exactly what is bothering you, and provide specific comments than can help your designer come closer to what is required.

When you are asked to test the site out, TEST EVERYTHING and note down any problems which arise. Complete all the order forms multiple ways. Download any downloadable files. Hammer the site search engine. Click through from the maps. Sign up for enews. Play the podcasts and video clips. Try the content management system out. .Send inquiries. Make sure that the various emails which have been sent during your testing are arriving with the right people.

After the site is live

Test everything again. Make sure your orders and emails are getting to the right people. If not, TELL the developer right away.

Do check your email at least twice a day. If you are not receiving expected emails or orders, or if the nature of your email delivery changes radically -- for example, it stops altogether, orders stop coming, or you start receiving complaints about something wrong with your web site -- please TELL the developer right away.

If you receive email from the web hosting organisation or email host about changes to your account, your hosting, a change to a server, or planned upgrades PLEASE pass these on to the developer. Or if you decide to change your ISP and need to move your web site, PLEASE let your developer know. It is very probable that a server upgrade or a site being moved to a different ISP will affect the way your site works, and your developer may need to make changes to the site as a result.

Are you happy with the site's performance? Are your customers giving you good feedback? Have there been any surprising results from your new website? Do share the good news with your developer -- they will be delighted to hear good news!

Please contact Raewyn Whyte by phone on 09 376 5792 or email raewyn@url.co.nz with any inquiries, or queries and comments about this article.



Raewyn makes the point that you should tell your developer if you are making any changes to your site hosting, email address or your ISP. Please also tell your Web Marketing company if you are changing any of these, your site design or structure or your domain names. We can also have important worthwhile input on these issues.

Please also take note of the points that Raewyn makes about time lines and testing. Site development is a big and important task and it can take a considerable amount of time assembling the content. Testing the site is very important initially – test everything! As we have mentioned in previous articles, also periodically test your site on a regular basis once the site is live to ensure it is still working. Technical aspects of the net are constantly changing and you want to make sure your site is always up and running.

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