Developing a website or need one designed? You’ll probably want this information.

Typically when your going to build or revamp a site you’ll want to go through a variety of steps to make sure that you utilize your time and money the best way possible. I’ve developed a questionnaire / development process that works for me and my company and I figured I’d share it with you. Please note that this particular order can be adjusted to fit your project needs, but it’s a nice starting point to say the least. Also, if you haven’t yet found the right designer or ad agency to create your website please visit 92 West, check out our work and request a quote. We’ll be more than happy to go over the details with you.

General Questionnaire

1. What is the purpose of the site: Information, Marketing or E-commerce
2. Technology Desired: E-commerce, Blog, Flash, Content Management
   E-Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Forms, Streaming Audio/Video
3. Target Audience
4. Competitors
5. Business Plan
6. Desired Marketing Approach
7. List of 5 sites that the client likes and why.
8. List of 5 sites that the client dislikes and why.
9. Color Scheme
10. Domain Registration – Public/Private/Business
11. Content:
    1. Sitemap: List of links wanted on the main navigation
    2. Estimate of 2nd tier links from the main navigation
    3. How will copy be created / provided
    4. E-mail addresses to be set-up
    5. Sub domains Wanted (i.e. blog.yoursite.com or photos.yoursite.com)
    6. Contact Information
12. Maintenance Needs
13. Desired Budget

Deliverables: Detailed Estimate of Billable

Web Development Process

1. Project Definition

1. Client Needs Assessment
   1. Questionnaire
   2. Client Interviews
2. Gather Content
   1. Graphics
   2. Existing Documents
   3. Plan content to be developed
   4. Interactive elements to be developed
3. Organize content
4. Identify Web Development team
5. Clarify objectives, content, and scope
6. Create Site Map
7. Create project schedule & estimate
8. Register domain name, set-up hosting and test environment

Deliverables: Site Map

2. Project Schedule

1. Content & Design
   1. Design navigation scheme
   2. Develop content outline
   3. Establish design parameters
      1. Supported browsers
      2. Screen resolution
      3. Logos & repeated graphics
      4. Color scheme
   4. Design 2 home page concepts
      1. Submit comps to client
      2. Up to 3 rounds of revisions
   5. Develop 2 sub page concepts
      1. Submit comps to client
      2. Up to 3 rounds of revisions
   6. Clarify objectives, content, and scope

Deliverables: Approved concepts for home page and sub page

3. Production

1. Prepare web hosting site
2. Finalize content
3. Develop site marketing & communication plan
4. Produce required graphics
5. Produce Style Sheets
6. Produce Home page
7. Produce sub pages
8. Produce Flash & interactive elements
9. Clarify objectives, content, and scope
10. Set up development site

Deliverables: Development site for user testing

4. Launch

1. Review development site with client
2. User testing
3. Implement site marketing plan
4. Move content to production site
5. Submit content to search engines

Deliverables: Final website

[Evaluation]

Updates

1. 1. Update content
   2. Update webpage(s)
   1. Create content
   2. Create webpage(s)
   • Update
   • Addition
   • Problem resolution

JAY LENO…” HITS THE NAIL ON THE HEAD”

Well I, as well as you I’m sure, have received a variety of interesting notes and qualms about things that revolve around items of a serious and or silly note. I figured this one was worth posting for all to find on the glorious world wide web. I’m not for sure if it’s truly from Jay Leno, but I do agree with a majority of the content. We, as Americans, are truly blessed to be born citizens here. I do agree that there are issues that must be resolved, but I am tired of all the bickering and complaining.

I came from a small town with less that 600 people and only graduated with 15. At the time of my graduation from H.S. I was one of the few who had attended college and was moving on. My folks love me dearly, but were not able to assist with my tuition. I worked my tail off for 4 years (16 credit hours a semester and worked 40 hours + a week) and was able to become a graphic designer. Most of my family are farmers and are damn good at it. I just wanted something different in my life and I made it happen thru hard work and dedication. If you have a dream, this country is the place to pursue it. People just need to be smart about their life decisions, find a goal, and work towards achieving it. It’s not easy, but a few years of striving for what matters in your life and making it happen is more than worth the effort.

In any case, enjoy :)!

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The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3rds of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ”What are we so unhappy about?”

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.

Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.

Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don’t have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating?

Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?

The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?

Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?

Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the “Media” told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn’t have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ”general” discharge, an ”other than honorable” discharge or, worst case scenario, a ”dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner?

The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by “justifying” them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day or at least be thankful and appreciative. “With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, “Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?

Jay Leno

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Flying Home from the Sandy War Torn Area at Last.

My brother is coming back!  Back from a land of sand and torment that goes by the name of Iraq; returning from his second tour.  I remember how heavy my heart was when he left this last time… the risks… a reminder that my little brother is now as he was then.. a man.  It’s a lot to swallow for an older sibling (perhaps even more so for my father and mother) that we couldn’t protect him from the situation. Not this time.  I know my sister-in-law, his wife, has had it rough this last few years and she has definitely been a “trooper”.  I’m truly happy that my brother has found such a loving woman and overjoyed that he’ll be back in the states with all of us.  I also hope that he enjoys being an uncle, I know our daughter is going to love him.

Not to end the post abruptly, but that’s all I really want to put down.

A designer must be more.

I’m Troy Kadavy and am a designer.  I’ve become quite skilled within the print, web, interactive, video and SEO arenas.  I’m would have to say that I’m a very good designer, but I will always strive to be better than I was yesterday and have done right by my clients and peers thus far; perhaps I will be great one day.  As I have grown wiser with age and experience I have also realized that I must be more than what I currently am. 

I am a father, a husband, a brother, a son and a friend to many.  Balancing all of these things alongside my career has become a challenge I love to endevor in and will more than likely highlight various pages as this blog starts to fill with content.  I hope you enjoy, comment and perhaps take something with you as you read.

Thanks,

Troy Kadavy
Creative Director
92 West