A critical part of any project – and the one most frequently shortcut by design companies – is gaining a good understanding of the prospective client's business environment. Clear goals and objectives for the web site must also be decided before even a prototype is begun. Our research usually includes, but is not limited to, gathering the following client data:

• company mission, strategy, tactics
• products & services offered
• primary & secondary markets served
• key customers & prospects
• significant competitors (existing or emerging)
• competitive websites
• site features & functions desired
• preferences in website 'look & feel'

Garnet Design Group builds a semi-functional model to illustrate the overall 'look and feel' of the site (page layout, color scheme, navigation, graphics), and review it thoroughly with the client. This interim step helps avoid potential problems later in the process, when major changes would be difficult and time-consuming.

Only when the design is approved do we proceed to development.

Although this consists mostly of independent work on our part, any text or graphics that the client has agreed to supply must be delivered early in this phase in order to stay on schedule.

No website is considered complete until it has been tested for usability by at least two people not associated with its development. We utilize volunteers with varying degrees of internet experience (friends and neighbors, usually) to 'test drive' the site and provide objective, unbiased feedback. This step helps insure that the content is easily understood, the navigation is clear and intuitive, and the overall layout and appearance is pleasing.

We also test your site using both new and older versions of the most popular browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari and Netscape Navigator), on both PCs and Macs to insure the site functions as intended across all user platforms. Each hardware/software combination has its particular quirks, which can make web pages appear slightly – sometimes even radically – different. We resolve any issues uncovered in this process, before the site is launched.

As with most things in life, preparation is key to the success. The launch of a web site should be a culmination of work that's already been well-planned and executed, not an afterthought or last minute drill. Unfortunately, a web site is not a field of dreams that you simply build and 'they will come'!

Specific meta tags that allow search engines to locate and properly index your site must be in place. The web site should also be submitted individually to major internet directories such as Google, Yahoo! and Live Search. Understanding the peculiarities of search engines or the widely-varied submission process is not always easy. Garnet Design Group understands this complex but important process, and includes a standard-level submission service as part of any web site we develop. This helps your site gain the highest visibility possible.

For additional fees, a site can gain even higher search engine rankings by using a 'pay for position' approach with the major internet directories. We can discuss those issues in more detail to determine cost-effectiveness on a case-by-case situation. If appropriate, we can handle that marketing aspect as well.

Most experts agree that a good web site is a continuous process, not a product. A static, outdated site is almost as unproductive as none at all. There's usually a number of simple and inexpensive ways to improve your web site. A tweak here, an update there. It's relatively easy to add recent news, announcements, upcoming events, etc.

Garnet Design Group is organized and well-equipped to handle web site maintenance, enhancements and re-design as well as original site implementations. As with our other services, we have simplified the process by offering an annual packaged approach to site updates. This keeps the cost low and predictable, and insures that your web site looks fresh for repeat visitors.