Web Development: creating and re-designing web sites so people can easily use them

Whether you are redesigning an existing Web site or are considering your first online presence, my process can help assure your projects success, because setting key goals and ways to measure those goals is one of the first steps we help you undertake.

The paths are similar for those re-designing a site and those developing a new one. We'll look at the key difference here separately

Re-designing an existing site

The Problem: The assumption is that you have some sort of problem with your current Web site; otherwise why would you be here? It's possible that you see a problem developing in the future, and if that's the case, congratulations on showing up here before it's too late!

Some of the most common reasons for dissatisfaction which I can help with are:

• There are features on the site which no one seems to be finding
• Visitors frequently start a transaction or purchase and stop before they finish
• Site visitors complain that they get lost and confused
• Search results which are too numerous, misleading or irrelevant
• Your site has grown, become cluttered and/or difficult to maintain
• Your really not sure what the problem is, but you'd sure like to know!

The Solution: First, I work with you to define the problem. This can take many forms and require a different track for each problem. A proven set of User Centered Design methods helps steer our course, and may initially include or Expert Evaluation and continue with focus groups, user interviews, and deeper ethnographic techniques to find out from real users where they are having problems.

Existing data within your company amy already exist in the form of customer feedback or help desk and call center logs. I also help direct strategies for server log, click stream, or multi dimensional analysis to determine where the breakdown is occurring.

There are some common threads which make it easier, and one of them is a clearly defined set of goals.

What course is correct for you can only be determined by an initial phone conversation and subsequent meetings, so give me a call. 510-649-1744. If you would like to get a head start on defining your sites goals, download my free Site Goals Workbook and start planning today! Perhaps have a look at my flat fee products which are a great way to start using User Centered Design on your site.

Creating a first time Web presence

The biggest difference for a first time site is that we have the option of building the site right the first time! This advantage, however, mandates more consideration in the "discovery phase" where we establish business goals and carefully define our audience. These two tasks are the pillars our new site will rest upon.

We will take time with competitive analysis to find what others are doing in the same business space. We can use this information to know if the services planned are in keeping with industry standards and to help you exceed the competitions efforts right out of the gate!

Take a look through my process to see the steps I follow to ensure that your site will be a success, or have a look at some past web development projects, or case studies. I work with a large range of clients, and I hope you'll be one of them! Please feel free to call with no obligation to talk about your upcoming project!