The purpose of a web site is to support and enhance the goals of your business or organization - it is not an end in itself. A web site should be much more than just an on-line brochure, and a well designed web site integrates the following key concepts. We begin with a free initial consultation via e-mail, by phone, or in person. At this stage we identify the objectives of your business or organization, and then review the products, services, information or resources you have to offer. We will also evaluate the need for your own domain name and your web site hosting options. Based on this we will provide you with a scope document that summarizes the objectives of your web site and outlines the content and navigational structure.

A Model of “Pervasive Usability” in Website Design

Requirements Analysis

* Determine the goals for the website from the perspective of the user and the business.
* Determine the user needs and target usability requirements.
* Evaluate existing versions of the site.
* Perform a competitive analysis.
* Perform user interviews and surveys.

Conceptual Design

* Sketch out a site design and architecture at an abstract level.
* Conduct a task analysis to find critical features.

Mockups / Prototypes

* Rapidly create visual representations (mockups) or interactive representations (prototypes) of the site.
* Evaluate usability through focus groups, user tests, and walkthroughs.
* Use the evaluation results to create more mockups or improve the prototypes.
* Repeat this process (design iteration) until the design and usability goals are met

Production

* Create the final product.
* Evaluate functionality through testing, quality assurance, usability testing, and field testing.
* Use the evaluation results to improve the product.
* Repeat this process (production iteration) until the business goals are met.

Launch and Maintenance

* Launch the website.
* Maintain and refine with user feedback.
* Use the feedback to create new requirements, and begin major design improvements (system iteration).

Evaluation occurs at every stage of the process. Similar types of evaluation can occur at different stages of the design process to keep in mind the goals of the project and the users’ needs. And if it comes down to a choice, reduce the scope of the project rather than the usability.