Web Design & Development Services
Secure Online Shops / E-commerce Development
Whether you are planning to improve your current online selling process or you are thinking of launching a brand new shop, you'll need to be sure that you get the maximum return on your investment. I will always endeavour to achieve the following on your behalf:
- A website that is functionally flawless and secure
- A website that looks great and communicates concisely and persuasively with customers
- A website that uses the right keywords for search engine visibility
- A website that is structured to retain visitors and optimise search engine visibility
- A website that tracks customer behaviour so that we can learn how to improve the content
The Web Development Process
The first step is always to discover what your objectives are and then to detail your requirements. Usually this phase of the development process can be carried out over the phone and by email, although face-to-face meetings are also useful, particularly for larger projects.
Once we have the requirements down on paper, I am usually able to give you an estimate of the cost at this stage. For larger projects, it often makes sense instead to provide diagrams illustrating the functionality of the website, a process known as wireframing. This ensures that all the requirements have been captured and noted down.
Once we've nailed down all the requirements for the project, it is time to start designing your website. I always offer you a couple of design mockups to choose from as part of a normal website development project.
Once we've decided upon the design and layout of your website, it is at this stage that I roll up my sleeves, lock myself in a dark room, and get down to the nitty gritty of developing your website. During this process, I am able to constantly refer to the project specification to ensure that all your requirements are met.
During the development process, each piece of code is rigorously tested to ensure it does what it is supposed to do and that it meets basic security standards. No system, no matter how well tested in the development phase, is ever completely bug free, so it always makes sense to submit the website to a more open testing process, once the initial development work is done. This may initially involve a handful of people within your company, or a small subsection of your customer base. Once all the glitches have been weeded out of the system, the website is ready for launching.
You'll usually want to know who is visiting your website and how they are behaving whilst on it. To this end, we install a free statistics package for you called Google Analytics which allows you to view this information over time.
Updateable Websites / CMS Development
If you are interested in gaining more control over your website so that you can start updating it yourself, then look no further! My present portfolio includes a range of open source content management systems, including Drupal, Joomla, ezpublish and Sitellite as well as bespoke products built from scratch. As a customer you do not have to choose which CMS you would prefer; I can do that for you. However, if you do have a preference, I am happy to work within your requirements.
Typically, content management systems range in complexity from a simple single-user system which allows you to update page content, to complicated multi-user systems which perform a range of functions such as blog or ecommerce updates. To get started on making your website updateable, I just need to discuss with you what parts of the website you would like to be able to update. I am then able to give you an estimate for the work involved, and to commence once you give me the go-ahead.
Web Design
Whether your website is in need of a makeover, or you are launching a totally new one, I can offer you an affordable, creative solution to captivate your customers and outshine your competitors.
Our no-nonsense approach will ensure that your website is completed on time and ahead of budget. Prices start at as little as £395, so if you are keen to get the job done professionally at an affordable price, please feel free to drop me a line.