Site Creation Process
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Each of the web sites created at Segue go through a development process which guarantees satisfaction for our customers. Creating a web site is a multi-disciplined endeavor, consisting of various stages of development. The result is a custom web site with some remarkable capabilities. The process is as shown above:
Research and Requirements
During the research phase, we examine numerous, similar, web sites to discover the functionality any competitor’s have incorporated into their sites. A list of links from this effort is discussed to sort out which ones may be usable, desirable, and helpful for the customer. In addition, the customer is asked to make a list of all the pages they want on their web site. We brainstorm with the customer to initiate ‘Out of the Box’ thinking to find web tools and functionality to increase the effectiveness and productivity of the customer’s business. Merging these lists of links creates a link hierarchy for intuitive site navigation. The customer’s current marketing materials are collected, to ensure their web site matches the identity and image of the customer’s business. Of course, we have some very fine talent for those customers needing additional marketing assistance.
In the requirements phase, the functionality of the web site is determined. To a large extent, site requirements drive the structural design of the web site. Here we isolate those things the customer wants to have on every page of the web site. These always-present features (like an e-newsletter link, programmable ad space, a ‘News Box’, rotating images, etc) have to be positioned within the layout, and an appropriate amount of space must be allocated either in the header or down the left margin. The outcome of this phase is the design and/or selection of an overall site layout.
Marketing
Every company establishes its identity through a marketing effort. Business cards, brochures and all advertising efforts attempt to push the company image and identity through logos, colors, slogans, and branding. As a primary piece of any marketing campaign, the company or business web site should also push the business identity. We use the customer’s existing marketing materials to create a complimentary graphics package to ensure consistency in the projection of the company image. If there is a shortage of marketing materials, or if the customer is undergoing a repositioning process, we have talented, highly skilled, personnel who can help with the creation of a new business identity, logo, branding effort, or other marketing issues.
Graphics
Using the company’s image or identity, colors, slogans, brand, etc, we create a jpg image of the customer’s web site, complete with some stock photography and graphics for the upcoming web site. All site level features are included and all style issues, like site navigation aids, font faces, sizes and colors, are illustrated. The image gets emailed to the customer for critique or approval. Upon approval, both Segue and the customer know what the site will look like.
Photography
Graphics only take a web site so far. For a site to capture a look of reality, it needs good pictures of the company’s people, products, customers, or services. Our service provides for a reasonable amount of photography for our customers, or the customer can provide their own photos. For the really special stuff, like aerial photography or ‘head shots’, we know some very talented, professional photographers who can create those ‘worth a thousand words’ images.
Programming
Once the customer approves the jpg image, we begin to program the site. Graphics from the customer-approved jpg image are sliced out of the image and inserted into the appropriate areas of the customer’s layout. All site level features get programmed into the design. Out of this phase, the customer receives their on-line web site, which is accessed at a discrete Internet location for the next phases, Training and Content Entry.
Training
In the Training phase, the customer and any employees learn how to add links, pages, and content to the site. In addition, administrators learn how to use additional features, like how to add users and groups, how to control the visibility and modification of every page, how to control search engine behavior, how to set site preferences and layout features, and the ability to observe traffic patterns and site statistics. It is important to note that no programming skills are required to administer a Segue site. All administration functions are performed using the most basic of computer skills: point, click and type. Segue offers free training every week, (by appointment every Thursday at 10 am). Remote training sessions (by telephone) are available as well.
Content Entry
This is the phase where content is entered into the web site. Using the knowledge acquired through training, pages are created, links are added, pictures are loaded, and text is entered using basic computer skills. On line access through the browser interface allows simultaneous content entry by any number of authorized personnel.
Maintenance
For most sites, maintenance is an ongoing, low level, but required, activity. In the past, getting someone to update or change your web site has been an ongoing expense and inconvenience. Segue sites allow quick and easy maintenance of any page on the web site through the following procedure: log on, navigate to the page you wish to change or maintain, click ‘Modify’, then just make the desired changes.
Search Engine Optimization
There are two audiences to every web site: the human eye and search engines. Entering content to please the human eye is easy enough with the right pictures and text. Because the search engines are constantly adjusting their scoring policies, scoring well with them is an ongoing endeavor. Each Segue site can be quickly and easily adjusted to address changes in the search engine scoring policies.
Do All You Want, Then Call Us For The Rest…
When we set out to design the final solution for web sites, the foremost thought in our minds was to provide non-programmers with the tools they need to administer and maintain their own web site. From content entry to Search Engine Optimization, Segue Sites certainly provide tools that quickly and easily address the most challenging site issues. Occasionally, however, we find a customer who does not want to address many site issues once the site is up and running. In that case, we can do it all. Just let us know what you want to do, and we will be glad to get it done for a nominal hourly fee. Remember, with a Segue Site, content entry, maintenance, and Search Engine Optimization occurs at a much faster pace than ordinary web sites. If you need help getting it all done, give us a call!
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