Building a website or App, where to start?
Defining the Website Mission or App Business case
The first element to consider with building your website or App is the ultimate goal you’d like to achieve.
Defining a brief or scope of works or even just a list of features you are looking for is a good base that allows you to analyze your needs while considering what your end goal is and how you will monetize and market the website and its essential that we have a shared understanding of what you want so our solution meets your needs.
We built a handy brief form here
Or thinking about a Mobile App?
This same process relates to building a mobile app here Our talented development team can help you define, plan and strategize your new app.
Next Up, Choosing a Platform
There are many solutions for building a professional website, but some platforms will be better than others, and the right solution depends on your needs. Things to take into consideration include complexity, storage, speed, and, most importantly, budget.
A Content Management System (CMS) is a program designed to hold a website together. Using one allows you as the owner to make editorial changes, add images and create new blog content without knowing how to code or use HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.
Here are some of the top Content Management Systems we work with
Choosing a Design
Once you have decided on a platform the next big consideration is the design or layout.
The design isn’t only the look, feel, and a fantastic color scheme - our creative team focuses on these critical elements, all of which depend on the mission of your site:
User Experience
How easy is it to browse and find what you are looking for on the site
Can people locate your number and find the hours of operation in less than two clicks?
Does the page load fast, and is it usable on every mobile device
Do you have a sub-3 step checkout process?
Information Architecture
What is the flow of information on the site?
Does the site contain an exciting introduction but also explain your services?
Does the layout of your website flow, and can customers find the information they need quickly?
Call to Actions
Lead generation forms
Links to Call, Buy and Book Now
Live Chat or Bot functions
Conversion Optimisation
If a customer buys a product or is the website for lead gen, this is the prime focus for what your website is there to achieve.
Websites these days have an average conversion rate of 3-5%. Do you know yours?
Maximize your conversions by using science about optimization content, user experience and
Design
There are two different ways we approach design for our clients:
Our creative team can design your website layers from scratch to perfectly meet your brand and style
Or to save time and cost we can use several preexisting themes or templates, modify them then give it a look and feel of your brand, which is faster and more cost-effective for simple sites and smaller budgets
Before we get onto the coding side
Let’s focus on the user experience first
Website Functionality
Websites need to cater for many needs to ensure you can engage with your audience the way you want to and provide the services you need.
To ensure your website engages with your audience, some core functionality is typically critical:
Gallery + Image Blocks
Showcase your images in an easy to browse format
Blog
Share content, thoughts or interesting information which is essential for Search Engine optimisation
Payment Pages
Accepting payment for physical or digital products, we support a number Authorize.net, First Data, Stripe, Worldpay , Paypal and Amazon Payments
Form Builders
Create custom forms for inquiries and information
Mobile Optimisation
Ensuring your website can be functional on all mobile devices, super important for your search engine ranking on Google, Bing and Yahoo (plus those *other* search engines*)
More information about Mobile Optimisation
Reviews
Customer reviews of your products and services
Content Delivery Network
Save all assets in one location and use them across the internet, which saves bandwidth and site load times.
Video/Audio/Podcast Uploads
Upload video, audio, or podcasts to your website to share and captivate your audience with punchy marketing messages
Social Integration
Booking Plugins
Solution allowing clients to book directly through the website or with reservation systems saving your staff time
Email Marketing Integration
Connect with your client base regularly
And some additional functionality that your audience won’t see but is equally important:
Most platforms include this functionality within their services. Otherwise, you may have to pay a third-party developer or provider to embed the functions into your website.
Website Security
Perform security and software patches to maintain security
Hosting Provider
Where is your website hosted?
Who is managing it?
What about data protection?
Domain Management
Not only the registration but managing your MX Records, Zone Files, DNS
Email Management
G-Suite
Office 365
Managed Exchange
SSL Certificates
Encrypting your website traffic from third parties
Required whenever you are handling customer information
Also beneficial for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
PCI compliance
This applies to companies of any size that accept credit card payments.
You need to host your data securely with a PCI-compliant hosting provider.
We know that is a lot to consider, but we have 12 years of experience working in the Digital world. Talk to us about your website requirments