As with every successful project, good communication is absolutely essential. The importance of the initial consultation and relationship building process cannot be over estimated. GBS Dezign places a huge emphasis on honest communication with clients. Our goal is to get to know you a little better, and to gain a concise understanding of your needs. Only when your needs and requirements are fully comprehended can the process of developing an inspiring website truly begin.

The following process is geared towards the corporate web site, however most of the steps still apply to smaller personal interest sites.

Review existing website (for customers with existing websites)
Our design and technical team will thoroughly review your existing website to find ways to improve the design of the site, site architecture, navigation, database integration and other integrated items. Our goal is to listen to you, understand ways in which you would like to improve the functionality of the site, and then offer professional advice on the best way to achieve your goals.

Strategy and tactics
Here we identify goals and requirements, determine a suitable time schedule, and finalize a contract. In close consultation with you, we formulate a strategic brief, a creative brief and a technical brief that provides the best, most cost effective solution. We'll discuss a basic content plan and develop a preliminary site map to give you a clear understanding of the architecture we propose. We then identify a wish-list of nonessential components and functions that we will attempt to insert should time and money allow. A final schedule and estimate is then presented for approval.

Creative Development
During this phase, GBS Dezign will help identify and organize content, and develop a series of potential designs that will reflect the branding of the company and/or products and the target audience. In close consultation with you, we make decisions about the type of content necessary, and when it will be required. We'll provide you with a number of 'mock ups' that will help you visualize the design you really want. We offer advise throughout this process discussing key features that are essential to your site, as well as ways that you can be different to, and better than your competitors. We will then develop a front-end "skeleton" model of the site for your approval.

Technical Development
This phase is about the production of a working beta site with full functionality. This involves coding, programming and the interface (if required) of front-end pages with backend applications and database functionality. This is where the integrity of our planning and design is fully tested. Content is inserted and the site remains hidden but provides access to you and all our technical and creative staff for testing, proofreading, and evaluation. If required, you will have your lawyers review content and disclaimers on the site to fulfill all legal requirements. Our site-testers will examine every aspect of your site, review every detail and test every function. We will also tweak the little things you may want to change and attend to as much of your "wish-list" as possible.

Launch and Maintenance
The site is now moved to the final hosting server. Each server has its own requirements. The beta site must now be tweaked to function correctly on the new server. CGI paths, absolute directory addresses, database and perl paths, mail directories etc., must be adjusted to run in their new home. After launch date, the site will require updating and ongoing maintenance. If you are inviting feedback from your target audience, a process of evolution will take place over the first few months where changes are made and new components are added based on requests and the majority viewpoint of your visitors

Marketing Your Site
The site is live and looking great. However, a live website does not automatically guarantee sales or even visitors to your site. You need to let people know your site exists! We help you post your site address to search engines, make suggestions about online advertising, traditional advertising and much more.

Site Review
We recommend that a formal site review take place every six months. Many smaller changes are executed on a weekly/monthly basis during site maintenance. However, there will a come a time (usually every six months) when larger, more sweeping changes will need to be implemented. Navigation functions may need changing, pages you thought were low priority may have become very popular and will therefore need to be redesigned to accommodate the interests of your audience. Keeping visitors and/or members coming back will require nothing less.

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