Steps for building a website

Blotter believes the construction of a website sets up our clients’ success. We advocate for the use of a Content Management System (CMS) so you can create your own procedures and schedules for managing the website yourself. We provide custom design services and custom information architecture rendering, or we’ll implement modules to save you money. All website content created becomes the property of the client, and these websites are fully transferable so you can move your website to another server at any time. We are located in the United States and have 24/7 support that can be extended for additional support. Please take a look at our below steps for how we build our websites.

1. Website Analysis and Conceptualization

   • Using a spreadsheet, we list all aspects of the website that will need to be available, including what information will be available on the website, what functionality will need to exist and how the website will be supported by various departments from technical, marketing, communications, legal and customer servicing personnel. Existing or proposed naming and branding (i.e., colors, logos, fonts, backgrounds, borders) are also listed within this section. The technical infrastructure is documented for the website, including server allocation, DNS planning, coding tools and technology (i.e., HTML, PHP, Javascript, etc.), database requirements, and third-party modules and content management systems (i.e., Word Press, eCommerce, Merchant Accounts, etc.). Establish a release schedule and timeline for implementation, including feedback windows and disclaimers on roadblocks that could present themselves during the final roll out.
     Allow 2 week for this process to be completed.

2. Wireframing

   • Wireframing is where the website manager drafts workflow showing how the website will function. Navigational trees and flow charts dominate wireframing methodology in addition to the visual layout for where information will appear on each page, important information prioritized on top, front a center. Keep in mind there is no branding within this phase, only the skeleton for how the website will act, including sales funnels, transactions, information transfer and customer conversion. The wireframe is the draft of the website, allowing the website manager to define the infrastructure for presenting content and functionality within a hierarchy that will ensure users can easily find the information that’s most important on the final website. Architects do a similar thing when they create a building, drafting and then producing a blueprint that will lead to their creation. Likewise, website managers create screenshots from wireframes. Our clients need to be educated on the importance of this draft for their website construction, and that this crucial part of the process is portable and patentable. It’s not a stretch to call a good wireframe the secret formula to a successful website.
     Allow 2-4 weeks for this process to be completed.

3. Design Screenshots (optional)

   • Once the client understands and signs off that all aspects of the wireframe are correct, the design process can begin. A good wireframe often negates the need for screenshots. But screenshots are helpful blueprints based on the drafts, screenshots that come close to representing the final look and feel for branding, navigation and the visual synthesis. We use Photoshop or Illustrator for these. If existing templates are being utilized, the customization of these templates will be done and presented to the client for approval.
     Allow 1 week for this process to be completed.

4. Infrastructure Implementation

   • New websites are always built on testing servers that can later be published. Beta websites will be password secured and not available to the public, both for legal and proprietary reasons. Developers are engaged and servers leased to begin this implementation. Here is the final step before the actual construction begins.
     Allow 1 week for this process to be completed.

5. Construction of Website

   • Coding and construction based on previous plans.
     Allow 1-2 weeks for this process to be completed.

6. Tendering and Negotiations

   • We are prepared to broker and schedule domain name changes, establish mirror servers, coordinate release schedules and activate credit card merchant accounts. Once the website is delivered, we will revise the website according to original revision agreements, charging additional fees if revisions exceed specifications.