The first step begins with the initial interview. In this interview, a discussion
of the client’s business and his needs for a website presence is discussed. The
interview will cover the following topics:
- Why is having a website important to you?
- What are the business objectives you are trying to achieve with the website?
- How will success or failure of the website be measured?
- Who are the target audience(s) and clients for your business?
- What do you want a visitor to gain from your website?
- What actions do you want the visitor to do upon a visit to the website?
- Do you expect to make money on the Web site, and if so, in what fashion and method?
During the interview we will also discuss creating a “Content” list. This
consists of all graphics, text,
and multimedia elements that you want to display and employ on the pages of the website.
This is
commonly referred to as the “Content” of the website.
The “Content” is commonly the “homework” task performed by the client. The best way to start creating
a content list is to brainstorm all the things that might be contained on
business' website,
such as contact information, product descriptions, portfolios of work, logos, photos,
graphics, company associations, certificates and biographies, to name a few. During the
initial interview, our consultant assists in this brainstorming effort to begin the
process. He/she can also help with suggestions on graphic art, creative writing skills, etc.
Lastly, the interviewer will discuss and plan out the website computing platform that will be
utilized. This
discussion will define where the website will be hosted (i.e. computer platform), the internet
domain name of the business’ website, plan how the computing platform is intended to
be maintained, and how the website itself, with its content, is to be maintained.
With the information gained from this initial interview, the Innovation Design consultant
can begin to put together a Proposal and Quote to be subsequently reviewed with the client.
Once the Proposal and Quote is on target, and the client approves the scope of
work to be done, the Website Development Process can begin. The Client’s
continued participation is the website development is key to its success.