Web Development Process
The production and maintenance of a website is two-fold. It requires experts from both communications and web design and production. A website is a communications vehicle powered by technology. How your site is organized, what it says, how it looks, and how well it works are all essential components to its effectiveness.
For this reason, the Web Communications office at UNLV is organized into two main teams, a communications team and a design and production team. Both teams work together to build websites that are effective communications tools.
The following is a short narrative on the process we will use to build your website.
Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 |
Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Timeline
STEP 1: Web Questionnaire
The development process begins when you fill out a questionnaire (DOC). The answers on the questionnaire will help us identify what your needs are and how we can create a site that will effectively communicate with the audiences you would like to reach.
Have questions about how to answer the questionnaire? Read a sample questionnaire (PDF) to get an idea of what we are looking for. For further questions, call 702-895-5497.
Finished with the questionnaire? Please complete the Web Request Form and attach the questionnaire to the form.
STEP 2: Site Navigation
From the information collected in step one, we will draft a sitemap and set a meeting with you to discuss our recommendations. In the meeting, we will explain the strategy we applied in organizing the site and listen to your feedback for changes and modifications.
View a sample sitemap (PDF) and see how it translates on the web.
STEP 3: Content Gathering
Once the basic structure and scope for the website have been finalized, we will outline the development phases and articulate the services with which we will be able to assist you. We will also create a content checklist to assist you as you gather information for your website.
Please review the minimum materials and requirements for more information about preparing your content.
STEP 4: Content Editing
After you've assembled all the content for your site and sent it to us, we will write transitions and introductions for your website and make suggested edits for web copy. With your final approval on the content, we will proofread the information and assemble a production binder.
STEP 5: Production & Design
The production and design team will build the website to mirror your sitemap and include any special features and/or designs that were discussed. After the first draft of the development site is ready for review, we will conduct an internal review and set a time to meet with you to present the site.
Note: The development site will not impact your current site while we are in production. The development site will be built in a separate directory and moved over to replace your current site completely when you are ready to go live with your new site.
Please review the minimum materials and requirements.
STEP 6: Review & Quality Assurance
After the presentation of your development site, we will send you a link to your site, so you can review it on your own and submit changes. We will implement your changes and conduct a final quality assurance review.
STEP 7: Delivery of Finished Product
With your approval of the development site, we will begin the process of replacing your old site with your new site (also known as "going live"). This process takes a couple of days behind the scenes; however, to you and your users the switch of the site will be instant.
STEP 8: Maintenance
The maintenance of your site is just as important, or perhaps even more important, than the building of it. Your beautiful new site will only be as good as the information is current. For this reason, we will address your maintenance plans and options at the beginning of the project.
Depending on the size of the site, our office might be able to offer maintenance services for you. If we are unable to offer maintenance assistance, we will discuss other options with you.
TIMELINE
How long will it take to build my site? This is the most frequent and often the most difficult question we receive. Why? Because the timeline largely depends on you and the scope of your site. Your speed collecting content, obtaining approvals, and submitting changes impact the pace of the process. With that said, given our current resources and past experience we've estimated the timeline below.
Step 1: Questionnaire – 1 week-1 month *
Step 2: Info Architecture – 2 weeks-1 month
Step 3: Content Origination – 1-3 months *
Step 4: Content Dev./Editing – 3 weeks-2 months
Step 5: Production – 3 weeks-1 month
Step 6: Final Review & Quality Check – 1 week
Step 7: Go Live – 2-3 days
Step 8: Maintenance – Ongoing
TOTAL: 3-8 months
* = The timing of this step is 100 percent up to you.
