Development Process
Development Detail
1. Technical Setup
The technical setup phase of development includes setup of internet services such as email, databases, domain name/s, statistics and hosting for the test site as it develops.
2. Design
Following one or more client design briefings, the design phase includes the creation of home page and sub-page design concepts. These concepts are created as static images, which mean they are a visual representation of what the site will look like upon completion. The concept graphics will be used by the integration team to develop the visual components for the actual website pages. Upon completion of the design concepts the client is shown the concepts for feedback and review. This is the best time for the client to tweak or advise the design team of any design preferences.
3. Integration
The word integration refers to the creation of website pages and Internet technology based on the visual design concepts created in the design phase. The website specification containing the structure and features also plays the key role in defining integration. In this phase actual website pages are created in html or PHP programming language. Nowadays the creation of style sheets is an important part of building a website that is based on universal website standards for accessibility and search engine optimisation. Depending on the size of the website being created, each page layout may need extensive time spent on defining unique graphics to enhance the user experience. Text content is also added and styled according to the style framework created for the website.
4. Database Development
Websites that contain user applications or the delivery of dynamic information require the development of database services. These services are developed in dynamic website pages. A dynamic website page (eg. PHP or ASP) gathers information from a database and then displays it in a particular way depending on the user request. This is in contrast to a static website page (HTML, HTM) that already contains all of the information that needs to be displayed to the user. Therefore, these dynamic pages are developed, in a process call coding, to process and display information. The greater the complexity of the tasks required by the website the greater the complexity of the website pages created to perform those tasks for users and website administrators.
5. Launch Procedure
Nearing completion of the website, the launch procedure starts with the transfer and setup of the website in its final live hosting position. At this point the site is not made live to public. Final functionality checks are completed and the client is invited to review the site before going live. Upon acknowledgement from the client the development team will launch the website and it will be live to the public. Lastly, the search engine submission process is completed, inviting search engines to review and index the site for inclusion in their directories.