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WEBSITE 101: THE PROCESS

With consumers doing everything from buying auto parts to taking classes to writing checks on line, the world wide web has become an essential component of an effective marketing program. At the outset of the 21st century, the internet medium as become a powerful instrument for product and service research and purchasing for people in just about every demographic category. Such a powerful medium can create tremendous potential for your company, but it can also be very intimidating.

This month we begin a series of articles aimed at simplifying your company's transition into the information age. Our talented staff of website developers has compiled a set of tips and ideas from our web design experience and research that can jumpstart your thoughts about including a website in your company's marketing plan.

When customers call Dux D'Lux to inquire about developing a website, the first question they typically ask is "Where do I begin?". The first installment of our WEBSITE 101 series outlines the process we go through in developing a website.

THE PROCESS.
When it comes to our process of website development, the I's have it!

STEP ONE: INTERACTION
We begin with a conversation about your company, its services, its customers and its needs. Our first goal in website development is to determine what kind of web presence your company needs in order to meet your marketing goals. To do this, we want to find out what you would like to accomplish with your website, and your marketing program as a whole. Many clients come into our initial meeting not really knowing what kind of information to give Dux D'Lux. Never fear! You know your business, and we know the right questions to ask.

STEP TWO: INTERPRETATION
After we have a good understanding of your company and your goals, it's our turn to interpret that information. We typically do extensive research and brainstorming of ways to achieve your marketing goals, appropriate content ideas for your website, site architecture, and more. We organize these ideas into a website design proposal that includes a rough outline of your website architecture, our recommendations for user interaction with your site, and cost estimates for each phase of development.

STEP THREE: INVENTION
Once you have approved our proposal, our creative team goes to work. First we will establish a "progress site" on our own server that will allow you to view your website's development from beginning to end. This progress site enables you to see and evaluate how your site will actually work once it goes live. Then, our creative team goes to work. We begin to outline several concepts for the "look" of your site and approaches to site navigation. Once you have settled on the look and navigation, we begin filling in site information and developing interactive features.

STEP FOUR: IMPLEMENTATION
Once your site is complete, we run final tests to ensure that all the features are in perfect working order. We handle all the loading and troubleshooting for making your website live. We also offer maintenance programs to effectively update information on your site to provide your customers with the most current information about your company.