Almost without fail, a potential client approaches me and wants a website. As the years have gone by I’ve learned that the vast majority of people out there simply don’t know or understand the various pieces to the puzzle (if you will) that go into creating a complete website.

Though I have greatly improved the quantity and refined the quality of the initial information I provide to a prospect I understand that as the industry continues to mature, grow, change so will what I do and how I do it. I have assembled a basic outline of all the various parts that should or could go into a website, and provided a brief synopsis of each part of the composition.

• Domain Registration
  • Every domain needs to be registered this is essentially a 1 to 10 year lease to give you the right to use a particular domain name
• Hosting
  • This is hard drive space on a web server in a data centre so that your web site can be online 24/7 and available for your visitors
• Graphics Design
  • This starts by developing a mock up of the site (graphical representation of how the site will appear when completed). The comp incorporates the proposed layout and organization of the site’s content.
  • Development of any and all graphics, manipulation of any photos and imagery to be used in the final completed site etc.
• Web Design
  • Decision of which parts of the comp can be created as code and which parts are best left as actual graphics
  • Translation of the site image to code (xhtml)
  • Creation of blank template page(s) for each different layout model within the site
  • implementation of content into the template pages
• Web Development
  • the creation, development, customization and or implementation of any dynamic and or interactive aspects to the website
• Content Development
  • Generally content development is the responsibility of the site owner however there are various levels of content developers (copy writers) which can a) research your site / business / industry and create copy from scratch, or b) take the content which you provide and rewrite it professionally with an eye towards marketing (focusing the site visitor on the action you wish them to take) and SEO(search engine optimization)
• Search Engine Optimization / Marketing
  • Basics
    • Ensuring all code meets current laws and standards for accessibility, usability and that the code is valid and fully compatible with the majority of browsers
    • Based upon industry, site niche and content the appropriate category(ies) will be determined for your site.
    • Using the content on each page meta tags will be created (title, description, keywords)
    • your site will be systematically submitted to major search engines and several online directories
  • Second Level
    • Submitting your site to vertical directories (search engines and directories specific to your industry / niche
    • Developing quality resources on your site for your niche / industry as a service to site visitors
    • Developing relevant inbound links (equivalent of finding websites out there to recommend your site)

    Ongoing content development – create and maintain an industry and or personal blog, write industry related articles for syndication or just for your site, possibly develop an online forum for industy professionals or customers

    • Become involved in the online community surrounding your industry
  • Third Level
    • Implementation of pay per click campaigns / paid inclusion / sponsorships
    • Development of online advertising in websites, industry newsletters etc.
    • Site alliances / partnerships
• Site Management
  • Ongoing site development
  • Content management
  • Updates and upgrades to your site
  • Management of ongoing marketing campaigns and link development

As I mentioned at the beginning this is only a basic outline. Each part in the process has many tentacles each able to be delved into with enough details, options, facts and opinions to warrant their own reference text.

I will, as time allows, endeavour to expound the great benefits and pitfalls of each aspect of the creation of websites and developmetn of the Internet as a whole. For now this is a good basic outline.