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We tailor each project to meet the individual needs of our clients. However, in every project there are similar procedures for creating an interesting, informative, & successful Web Site. The following information describes our Process for developing a web site.
The user experience development process is concerned with ensuring that no aspect of the user's experience happens without conscious implicit intent. Understanding the user needs, site objectives, functional specifications and content requirements is the foundation for a successful web presence.
 Phase 1 Defining the Strategy
The foundation of a successful user experience is based on a clearly articulated strategy. Phase 1 involves research, comparison studies, and budget analysis; understanding time constraints, any anticipated maintenance needs (such as updating the site with content); establishing goals, objectives, & content; determining strategies and the targeted audience.
Success of the web site is determined by understanding the user needs, addressing the site objectives and setting measurable objectives.
 Phase 2: Scope
Before any work can be done on a site, the scope of the project needs to be defined through the use of the Comet Studios Project Prolifer. The Project Profiler is a proprietary document Comet Studios has developed as part of our methodology for assisting our clients in determining the scope of project. In the Project Development Phase all the original information gathered in Phase 1 and 2 is reevaluated and verified.
Strategy becomes scope when we translate user needs and site objectives into specific requirements for what content and functionality the web site will offer to users.
In order to avoid "scope-creep" during the development process, the scope needs to be clearly defined and agreed upon by all parties at the start of the project. It is during this phase that a single contact and sign-off person on the client-side needs to be firmly agreed upon.
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 Phase 3: Defining the Structure: Interaction Design & Information Architecture
The architecture of the site needs to be developed and the framework must be built. Site maps, story boards and flow charts are blue prints that contribute to the building of the overall theme and design the web site. Interaction design is concerned with describing possible user behavior and defining how the system will accommodate and respond to that behavior. Information architecture is concerned with creating organizational schemes that allow the user to move through site content efficiently and effectively.
Content is developed to determine the communication needs. Specific features of the site (such as sound, video clips, interactive forms, images and dynamic content) are defined and approved by client contact prior to proceeding any further.
 Phase 4 Developing the Interface
Designing the navigation, the metaphors and the interface is part of information design. Information design is concerned with how the user will use the web site. Decisions will be made as to the type of input options used such as check boxes, radio buttons, drop down lists, list boxes, action buttons etc. as well as the labeling and titles of sections.
Usability testing is extremely important during this phase to determine that the final product meets both the clients' goals and the users' needs. Usability studies may include multiple rounds of testing, from formal focus groups or contextual interviewing, to informal audience studies. Revisions are made based on input review by client and based on usability testing prior to the next phase.
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 Phase 5 Visual Design
The visual design phase starts after the site architecture has been finished and the interface design has been established. The visual design adds to the look and feel of the web site. In this phase, content, functionality, and aesthetics shape the visual design that fulfills all the goals of the other 4 phases. This phase is concerned with branding, eye tracking, color palettes, typography content design, layout, and style guides. The Design Phase continues throughout the development and production phase.
 Phase 6 Production Phase
The production and implementation phase merges content with the designed layout. All pages are coded and linked, graphics are produced and the site architecture is in place.
Testing for cross platform usability, multiple screen resolutions settings and browser compatibility ensures that the site functions as designed. All of the final data is assembled prior to final acceptance and launch.
Once the site has been completed, signed off and launched, the web sites needs to be published to the major search engines and directories so the site can be found.
The maintenance phase is needed for additional changes or updates. This phase is very individual and is different for each project based on the content and clients needs.
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