Webstar Uganda has been operating in Uganda since 2007, and we possess the necessary experience to build websites for our clients that surpass their expectations using our Website Design Process in Uganda. We understand that our clients entrust us with one of their most valuable marketing assets, and our input in the process can make or break the project.
Fortunately, we have a streamlined website design process in Uganda. Additionally, we guide the client through the project and provide a website that meets (or exceeds) their expectations. We’ll break down each phase, including some helpful tips and essential questions to ask along the way. The steps include;
- Get to know the client and ascertain their website goals.
- Choose a platform to build the site on.
- Define the scope of the project.
- Develop a sitemap and visual layout.
- Collect or create the Website’s content.
- Design the Website and test it.
- Launch the Website.
- Customer service.
We get to know the Client and Ascertain Their Website Goals.
This step primarily involves extracting information and understanding the client’s needs. Some clients may not be sure about their exact requirements, so it’s helpful for us to ask exploratory questions when their needs are unclear. Our goal in this step is to gather and clarify information. Later, we will have the opportunity to propose a solution and pitch our ideas.
Below are some of the questions we might ask our clients:
- What do they do?
- What do they value?
- Do they have brand assets already created? A brand guideline?
- What do they want their Website to accomplish?
- Do they have any “musts” for their Website designs?
- What is the timeframe for completing the project?
- Do they already have a domain name and a web hosting service? (You will need access to their Website hosting account and possibly their domain registrar.)
- How do they plan to integrate social media, and which platforms will they use?
- Do they require email integrations?
- What about ongoing site maintenance? Will someone on their team handle this, or are they open to a monthly or hourly contract with us for ongoing maintenance?
- Who will be the project point of contact and decision maker?
- Do they have a preference for which website design platform they want to use?
We listen for important details and take notes. We then ask follow-up questions in areas where we need clarification. At the end of the meeting, we take a moment to review our notes and recap the most crucial information, ensuring we haven’t missed any points critical to the client. They may assume that we already know specific details or that they’ve implied these points during the conversation.
Webstar Technologies will cover a wide range of topics in this meeting. The team will inform the client of the following steps: we will review their project requirements and provide them with a scope of work document.
We Choose a Platform to use for the Website design
A website’s platform can impact several aspects of the project, including hosting, pricing, functionality, and timeline. It’s essential to choose a platform early in the process, as it forms the foundation of what we will be building.
Our client’s Website design will require a Content Management Solution (CMS), and there are several options available. Each has its benefits. Once we understand the client’s needs, we can determine which CMS will best meet the job’s requirements.
Write Up the Proposal and determine the Scope of the Project.
Once we have gathered all the necessary information for the project, it’s time to compile a project proposal. This document will explicitly identify the deliverables and terms, including project costs.
The webstar team will ensure that we include sufficient information to cover the essentials and all details in the scope of work or contract. Outlining the client’s project requirements and our proposed solution, along with the associated project cost, is essential during this phase. We will suggest different solutions but remain open to revision based on the client’s feedback.
Once our proposal is approved, we then use it to generate a more detailed scope of work that explicitly states the project in full. This document will direct our work and relationship with the client. It will serve to state what everyone should expect clearly.
A well-defined scope of work can save a significant amount of stress, time, and money throughout the project’s life cycle. Elements to address include:
- Website scale.
Will this be a 10-page website or an e-commerce site featuring 35 products for sale?
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Timing.
What is the timeline? Does the client have a hard launch date they need to meet? Are there stages within that process?
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Process.
Include workflow and approvals. What will their approval process look like?
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Assets.
Which assets will they provide, and which will you need to obtain or create on their behalf?
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Access.
How will you get site assets and access permissions?
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Contact.
Who will be our point of contact, and who will be the decision-makers?
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Platform.
What Content Management System (CMS) will be used to build the site?
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Integrations.
Determine any plugins or additional functionality required to achieve the project objectives. Will they require integrations (or ongoing services) that a third party will bill the client for?
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Accessibility.
Define what accessibility functionality the Website will have.
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Backups.
Will we include a plugin to run automatically? To be sure, our client has a plan for site backups.
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Security.
We include an SSL certificate and define what security measures we will implement.
Once we have agreed on the scope of work, we will then draw up a formal contract that both parties can sign and execute. This protects both Webstar Uganda and the client. Even if the project is small, it’s vital to specify who is responsible for what. To streamline our process, we have templates for key documents, including proposals, scopes of work, and contracts.
We Develop a Sitemap and Visual Layout (Wireframe)
Every good Website design starts with a blueprint. During this phase, we will define the flow and user experience of the Website with a sitemap and wireframes.
Octopus helps us to do or Sketch, and a plugin, if necessary, for building sitemaps and wireframes
The team will frequently refer to the scope of work during this phase to ensure we cover all the stipulated points. If issues arise that are integral to the project, we will express our concerns to the client immediately and schedule a meeting to evaluate and decide on the best course of action. The client will sign off on any tasks outside the scope of work.
We Collect or Create the Website’s Content
By this point, we should have a clearly defined content plan, know who is responsible for delivering the content, and understand how that will flow throughout the Website. At this step, we will ensure that everything is ready for deployment and that we have sufficient resources for each website page we build.
You can start by collecting page content elements, such as copy, Calls to Action (CTAs), videos, links, and images. Review the client-provided website content and suggest areas where it may require optimization for improved performance.
The client may not understand the importance of keywords or Search Engine Optimization (SEO), so we might consider providing some quality keywords to guide their content creation. Part of the project’s success, especially in the long run, will depend on having targeted content that delivers results.
Some tools we use include Google Keyword Planner and Google Trends. We will share these with the client as a means to help them continue creating search-optimized content.
Design the Website and Test It
This stage is especially fun, as it brings your hard work to life. When designing your pages, consider their content first. You can ask yourself questions such as:
- What is the purpose of the page? This question should be a priority throughout the design process.
- What action should the user take when visiting this page? Make sure the CTA is clear and compelling.
You can create and use page templates to maintain consistency throughout the Website and speed up your process. Ensure that you adhere to the agreed-upon styles and visual elements during the design phase. This phase should focus on implementing the predetermined design concept rather than creating something entirely new.
As the Website takes on form, it’s especially important to provide opportunities for client feedback. Sometimes, it is difficult for clients to envision how the Website will look and flow, so when they do see it, they may have some objections or questions.
Once the site’s design is finalized, we will perform a pre-launch checklist that might include:
- Checking copy for typos.
- Verifying that all links and buttons work properly.
- Testing all forms and making sure notifications are routed to the correct team members.
- Testing online transactions and shopping cart functionality (if applicable).
- Checking the Website on multiple devices and browsers for responsiveness and accessibility.
Once our checklist is complete, it’s time to launch!
Launching of the Website
Make sure the Website is responsive on all browsers and devices.
Once the site is ready, review the pages and links to ensure everything is functioning properly. We will schedule the launch during the weekend, at night, or at another time when website traffic is low.
Customer Service
We serve as a vital bridge between the clients and the technical aspects of their Website. Therefore, it’s smart to be proactive in offering support options. In short, we may offer free support for the first thirty days or provide an add-on support package, billed monthly (or annually for a discount).
Handing over the Website to our client is similar to handing over the keys to a car. At a minimum, they won’t be familiar with all the believable options, and a helpful walkthrough will facilitate a smooth transition.
Once your client is satisfied with their new Website, this is the time to ask for a testimonial or review of our work. Indeed, we make this process as easy as possible for the client.
After this, we consider scheduling a three-month, six-month, and annual check-in call with our client, even if we don’t have a maintenance agreement. This may present opportunities for future work, and keep us in mind for referrals. Plus, these calls will demonstrate our care and support, reflecting well on Webstar Uganda.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a successful client website is a complex process; however, we simplify it by breaking down each stage into well-defined steps. In this article, we shared eight steps for building a successful client website:
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- Get to know the client and ascertain their website goals.
- Choose a platform to build the site on.
- Define the scope of the project.
- Develop a sitemap and visual layout.
- Collect or create the Website’s content.
- Design the Website and test it.
- Launch the Website.
- Customer service.