An Overview of the Website Creation Process
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Programming & Scripting--Interactivity is "number one"
with the Internet. A site that is troublesome to use will be quickly abandoned,
even with the understanding that the medium is still growing and maturing. Such
goodies as forms, databases, Java scripts, and more can be built in and this
phase will ensure that the site will be an effective and enjoyable tool to use.
Production Process--Here is where all the various elements decided
upon thus far are linked together into a usable interface, a.k.a. the website
itself. The copy, scripts, databases, graphics--all must be prepared in such a
way that they will work in conjunction with each other within the boundaries of
the current technology.
Publishing/Shipping--Once the website is built, it must be tested. Now
the site is published (or "shipped") to a server (machine) that houses
the files that make up the site. Often, it is best to place the site on a
"staging server" which is only known to those involved. After the site
is checked out and deemed ready to go, it is published "live" for the
world to see!
Website Publicizing & Promotion--Time was, "if you built it,
they would come." While many of the same rules of marketing and promotion
apply to Internet publishing as well, more so than in any other medium is it
vital to publicize the new site. It is built, but people may not come without a
carefully-conceived and proactively-maintained battle plan to tell the world
about it.
What Next?--Website creation is a term open to interpretation--it can
include one or all the phases discussed so far. How much of the process that the
client and the Web production company choose to take on can vary and there are
no hard and fast rules. With the newness of the Internet comes that apparent
freedom--and responsibility--to determine and redetermine what will be essential
to a successful website. It is exciting (and pleasantly ironic) that such a
seemingly sterile, technological medium can inspire warm, human collaboration
and teamwork.
- Article provided by The Women's Business Institute (WBI), Taneytown,
Maryland and written by Bonnie Raindrop and Stacy Meyn
One of the founders of the web production company DoubleClick'd Publications,
Bonnie Raindrop has over 25 years of experience in marketing, graphic design,
print media, and now 6 years in web publishing. She and DCP produce WorldWide
Wellness, a health and wellness site; and Voices of Women Online, targeting
women's concerns. DCP services over 350 web clients. Additionally, Bonnie has
published Baltimore Resources Journal, a popular health and wellness quarterly
serving the greater Baltimore area for over twelve years. Bonnie can be reached
at 410-337-8644.
Stacy Meyn is a freelance writer/critic and web developer. Her business Space
Ltd. keeps her occupied writing and editing for music, media, film, health, and
healing magazines, journals, and websites. She is a founding partner of Worldly
Remains, a pop culture publication taking a deeper view. Stacy has worked with
DoubleClick'd Publications since 1995 as a webmistress, cybrarian, and media
editor.
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