buznutt

...To Build A Web Site.

First a note: The process really should be iterative. In other words, first you make a pass through a section, then stand back and take a gander at it. Then you decide if you like what you see.

If so, you can go on to the next step. If not, you make a u-turn and go back through the part you just finished. Sounds kind of tentative and unprofessional but it isn't.

Only true professionals work this way. They want to get things right. Think about how many times you tried printing the letter "A" in first grade before you got it right. It's like that. You want to get a perfect "A". Me too.

Get started.

• Negotiate a contract.
• Sign the contract.
• Make a good-faith deposit on the design (usually the first half).

Complete a design.

• Review or document the business model to understand the business.
• Complete a list of requirements and agree on them.
• Sign off on the requirements documents.
• Complete art work.
• Complete the design.
• Finish writing copy.
• Sign off on the design (art/graphics/copy).
• Pay for the design phase and make a deposit on the development.

Develop.

• Create a test plan.
• Generate application (if using Ruby on Rails or a similar environment).
• Code a minimally-functional site and review it.
• Create and apply stylesheets.
• Edit art.
• Finish building the site.
• Test and approve functionality and appearance.
• Create documentation.
• Finish training.
• Sign off on the development.
• Pay for the development phase and make a deposit on the production phase.

Move to the production environment. Note: Some of these steps will be done much before the end of the process. Deciding on and registering a domain name, for example, which might involve negotiating for and buying one that's already owned by someone.

• Choose and register a domain.
• Choose a hosting company.
• Create directories on the web server.
• Upload files.
• Set up the database.
• Set up any supporting software.
• Freeze Rails (if using Ruby on Rails).
• Test.
• Sign off on the completed project.
• Make final payment for the production phase and any loose ends.
• Receive any materials that need to be returned (documents, original art, an archived copy of the finished web site, and so on).

Copyright © 2008 by Dave Sailer