Needs Assessment & Site Planning
Before we build or re-vamp your web site, we have a discovery session with you to find out what your site requirements are. This includes interviewing all key stakeholders, gathering any existing brand information, discussing budgets and timelines, and learning about your company's mission, goals, and values. Based on our findings, we then create an actionable plan for bringing your site to fruition.
Domain Name Registration
If you not already have a domain name, we will help you develop a list of preferred domain names during the needs assessment. We can register your domain and manage it for you, or you may do so yourself.
Information Architecture
Just like every building that rises from the ground starts with a blueprint, each successful web site also starts with a detailed plan. Using the information we gathered in the needs assessment, we create an outline of information categories, followed by a flowchart that shows the structure and organization of your site's content. This lays the foundation for building a successful site.
User Interface Design
The next step in realizing your site goals is designing how your visitors will navigate your site. In our building analogy, this is when we frame the building and add sheetrock, windows, and doors. We have been designing web sites for over a decade and know how users maneuver a site. This experience enables us to design and build an interface that will guide your visitors to their destination with the least amount of effort, because the more people have to dig for information, the more likely they are to leave.
Graphic Design
No building would be complete without paint. Our graphic designers will create several comps based on the UI design and your brand. Your feedback then gives us the direction we will pursue to perfect your final web site design. We then create a complete look and feel for your site.
Content Creation
Now your building is ready for some fancy furnishings. We will populate your web site with either content you've provided, or content we've created for you. Our skilled writers and editors know how to write for the web, and will ensure that your important messages are clearly communicated on your web site. If you have large amounts of data, you may also opt for a content management system that will enable you to manage your own content with minimum technical knowledge.
Web Programming
Our web programmers work behind-the-scenes to seamlessly merge the graphic design and content elements together into a useable web site. This includes converting your final design comp into web pages by: chopping, optimizing, and coding them into HTML; inserting your content and providing final content review; and adding interactive elements.
Web Applications Development
For sites that require an additional level of complexity with unique requirements, our software division, McGill Software, also provides custom web applications development which will be coordinated and included in your site plan.
E-Commerce
In addition to our custom web applications, we can also provide you with standard e-commerce solutions that enable your customers to buy products and/or services through your web site. You will be able to maintain your own database of product descriptions, prices, and pictures.
Quality Assurance Testing
Upon completion of a building, the inspector always come to call, as does our quality assurance team. Before final deployment, our team thoroughly checks every aspect of the site to ensure that it is in perfect working order.
Hosting
Last, but certainly not least, you must have a place to host your site. Most web development companies don't take this final step with you. They hand your site to you on a disc and wish you luck. We don't do this. We take great care in providing full service – with design, development, and deployment of your web site – from start to completion. We will also provide you with premium managed hosting service so you don't need to worry if there's ever a problem with your site. You just call us, and we'll take care of everything for you.
