Custom WordPress Websites
I Seek First to Understand.
Many web designers begin with a predesigned template. I begin by asking questions. What is the purpose of your website? Who is your target audience? Who are your biggest competitors? What are your success metrics? What are your favorite websites and why? How do you intend to drive traffic to the site? And so on. Your answers, along with other exercises included in my process (below), determine what the site should look like and how it should work to accomplish your strategic objectives.
Custom Website Process
Phase 1: Discovery
1A
Strategy Brief/Session
PURPOSE: To clarify, define, and prioritize your strategic objectives.
1B
Preliminary
Site Map
PURPOSE: To prioritize and define mission-critical pages; to scope the project.
1C
Research/
Needs Analysis
PURPOSE: To determine if existing plugins can satisfy the desired functionality; to consider target keywords for SEO
Phase 2: Ideation
2A
Use-Case Scenarios
PURPOSE: To better empathize with your target audience(s).
2B
Competitive Analysis
PURPOSE: To survey the landscape and capitalize on competitors’ weaknesses.
2C
Concept Development
PURPOSE: To explore creative solutions for communicating your brand personality.
2D
Final Site Map
PURPOSE: To incorporate the knowledge gained from preceding exercises.
Phase 3: Design/Development
3A
Functional Wireframes
PURPOSE: To define site navigation; page layout; and technical complexity for mission-critical pages.
3B
Functional Prototype
PURPOSE: To establish look and feel after the wireframes have been approved.
3C
Production
PURPOSE: To build out remainder of page templates/site; add content; create and fine-tune creative and technical assets.
3D
Testing
PURPOSE: To identify and correct bugs before going live.