Web Development Process, Methodology & Technology Standards

Methodology

Iris Interactive has been developing web sites almost exclusively since early 1995. To each new project we bring our range of experience while recognizing that each site presents its own unique set of features and challenges.

Our approach is educational and collaborative. We have worked with clients with many different levels of internet knowledge and have found that confidence increases as clients are included as participants in each phase of project development as their time and interest allows. For that reason, we provide detailed, line item information in project quotes.

Our process is organized into six categories: Plan, Design, Develop, Promote, Maintain, Assess.

• Plan

  We believe the success of any project relies on a thorough and detailed planning phase. At project initiation, we interview clients about all specifications regarding design, feature development, database structure, fields, and implementation, promotion, statistics, maintenance, and hosting environment.

• Design

  In our experience, web site visual designs are either created 'from scratch' or are extensions of other marketing communications materials. Our company's early reputation was built on the quality and attractiveness of our visual designs. We begin the interface design portion with visual screen-shots. Because visual concepts are so subjective in nature, we collect as much information as possible about each client's vision for their site and deliver from 2-4 visuals for review. We do not proceed with production until visuals are approved to save time and operate efficiently.

• Develop

  The development of web applications and interactive features of each site are begun in tandem with design, after specifications are outlined in the planning phase. Because technology and corresponding solutions change so rapidly in this business, we will often quote cost ranges until projects are initiated and further research can be done for each specific application.

• Promote

  For online promotion, we stay current with search engine technology to aid in registration and higher ranking. We have a wealth of research on specialized sites by region or industry and associated advertising opportunities. Our design staff has a background in marketing and traditional advertising and can recommend and produce coordinated advertising materials.

• Maintain

  Each client has different requirements for how their site is maintained and it can affect items in development and hosting environment so we include questions about this in the planning phase. Some clients want to update the site themselves either with software or a web-based administrative feature while others prefer to send us email or call us on the phone to communicate changes.

• Assess

  We recommend regular progress and review meetings, especially for larger sites. All Iris Interactive hosting clients have web traffic statistics as part of their hosting service. We can help outline other success measurements as each project demands.

We always recommend the latest and yet most reliable solutions that are proven and in practice for others. Each site we develop is organized with an eye for future growth.

Technology Standards

We develop sites based on technology standards most popular over the past year, and do not recommend features that will make it difficult for any significant percentage of the audience to access and use the web site. Our production standards include:

• Standards most popular over the past year with regard to web browser software, access speed and computer monitor size. Currently this means users access at 56K or greater, using monitor resolutions of 17" or larger, and viewing the internet with web browser software Netscape Navigator 4.0 + or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0+.
• Search engine optimization tactics are employed during production of pages
• Global, intuitive navigation for appeal to beginning users
• Advertising placement if applicable
• Coordination with back-end database or other programming needs
• Site-wide usage of templates and style sheets for efficient updating & flexibility