Most of our client's really have no idea what to expect when we start working together. We have designed an approach that eases business owners through the process. Increasingly, people become more aware of outstanding functionalities and what is really possible on the internet. But, the latest bells and whistles are useless if not supported by market research, strategies that bring customers in, and sound business practices on the back end to convert traffic to sales. Find out how we approach the development of your web business from the ground up. Also, take a look at what a content management system can do for your business.

"Conceptualization"

Learning about each client's business is the basis of everything we do. It has been extremely important for us in developing long term client relationships as well as delivering finished projects that exceed expectations. During this phase we try to pull as much information out of our clients as possible - not just about their favorite colors and graphics they like, but in depth information about their individual business, philosophy, needs, and wants. For client's, having a solid business model and business plan is essential for project success and cost savings.

We also research your online market to get information about what works for your competition and to make critical decision about which technology to use for the site. By the time we move into the design phase we generally have a few very good ideas already in the works. We know that the designs we produce are all effective for your industry and the only questions that remain are which one does the client like and, what refinements need to be done to make it perfect.

"Design"

In this phase, we convert all of the information we have gathered into a visual concept. We may deliver this prototype as a mockup or as a working online model, depending on the level of understanding we have from step one. It is vastly less expensive to re-design or revise a mockup than it is to make major changes to the live working interface. The real purpose of this step is to align our conceptualization with that of our client's vision and ensure that we have the depth of understanding necessary for project success. If we are way off base (not very common), we know it long before we spend the time and resources moving in the wrong direction. Our goal is ultimately cost and time savings as we move into the development phase.

It is very common, however that client's just have a hard time choosing one concept over the other. After all, they are all good and all of them would work to enhance the business. Anyone who has ever stood before the paint swatch booth at Lowes trying to decide on a new color for their living room, knows what a challenge this can be. When it comes to web design though, we find that client's who request new design after new design, generally don't really know what they are looking for. In other words they have not done enough homework to really define their own vision. When that happens, it's time to step back, relax and go back to the drawing board - with fresh thinking. We empower these clients to think about their business in unique terms that help define some or all of the design parameters. Again, the underlying goal is cost and time savings in the course of developing the best website possible for your business.

"Development"

We like to do most of our development online on a testing sever, in plain sight of our clients. This differs from the "old way" where the client would see a static design image and then wait a couple months to see the finished working interface. We believe that our clients should be an integral part of the process, providing us valuable feedback and direction. This approach gives the project the best chance of success and solidifies the partnership of our two businesses.

One of the most critical components of a website design is the Information Architecture - that is, where everything is, how it is laid out, and how users get from one place to the other. Since the content on each page is different, not every page will look like the static mock up. The layout, navigation and/or space constraints require attention on each page to perfect the site as a whole. No matter how much research we do, the client almost always knows his or her market and customers better than we do. That's why client involvement is so important to us.

"Strategic Planning"

Success in business on the internet requires more than a flashy website. It really demands a plan of attack of how to attract an audience. For starters, our development of your website includes pre optimization to make the site end user friendly and easier for potential visitors to find. Additionally, from identity development or "branding" to integrating online and offline marketing solutions, Fossil Graphics has the resources to provide the strategic services needed to promote your business and give it the best market presence possible.

"Technology"

It advances at a staggering pace. But its nothing to be affraid of. Fossil Graphics stays current with the latest technology to allow our clients to take advantage of what that technology has to offer. We are dedicated to finding solutions to the ever present problems that present themselves in process of creating digital media and business systems. Our goal is to use the right technology to fulfill the goals of the website. That could be good old fashioned HTML, super cool and creative Flash, or a PHP driven content management system dynamically delivering content from a database. The point is that we use our experience and expertise to match the technology to your business's needs to provide a cost effective, website that generates the best response from your users.

"Refinements"

Once all of the content, images, and graphics are in place on a live working interface, it becomes very easy to see what adjustments are necessary to finalize the site and prepare it for launch. Again, we work closely with our clients to make sure that the site is a good combination of what we think will be effective and what users in your target audience will respond to.

"Preparation and Launch"

Next, we go through the entire site again to validate all the links, test the site compatibility in all current web browsers, double check e-mail settings and generally prepare the site for launch to the public. We also go back through the content to pre-optimize the site for SEO. Once we're satisfied with the results we'll schedule the site for launch. Depending on circumstances like server changes, it may take up to 2 days before you see your site at www.yourdomainname.com.

"The right paint swatch"

We always ask our clients to understand that, at some point, they have to choose one of those paint swatches. But, what we know is that, at this point, we can only give our users what we think they want. The real trick to a successful website is to find out what they really want and give it to them. The point is that you should see your newly launched website as a starting point rather than the end. Just like your offline business, your website should be evolutionary with the goal of making it better and better for your visitors. From this point on, we work very hard to maintain our partnership. We are available to help you interpret your analytics data, and make decisions based on user response as to which strategies would produce the greatest return for your business.

One of the first questions asked is " how much will this cost?" Before Fossil Graphics can provide a formal proposal for a website design project, the "Map" needs to be drawn. Without having a deep understanding of a client's needs and objectives, it's virtually impossible to prepare an accurate proposal.The importance of drawing this map is based on:

• •     Establish functionality for complex web applications like e-commerce, content management systems, networking and interactive media. All of these systems contain hundreds of moving parts all working       together. Creating a framework based on information is what allows us to develop the site with a solid plan of attack.

• •     Develop information architecture for the site; how the content will be organized on the site and what to include. This also establishes the design that can best meet the usability needs of your audience.

• •     Puts all parties on the same page. Nothing is worse than wondering what the final result will be or how much it will cost. We like to enter the development phase with all parties well informed and comfortable about what to expect.

• •     Allows clients to visualize the process and the site components

• •     Time savings