Process
The following summarizes the Groove Interactive process for developing a website. The process ensures that you will get the highest quality product within the most efficient time line at the most competitive price.
Discovery
Discovery and Analysis
Time is devoted to research and meeting with the client and website stakeholders to determine site goals and measures of success for the website. The website user demographic, technical usage, and website needs and tasks will be described using client interviews, website usage statistics, and research.
Information Architecture
A new information architecture, or site map, will be designed based on the current site architecture, site goals, user needs and tasks. The information architecture will be tested to insure maximum usability.
Functional Specification
All of the functions on each page of the site are detailed including content sections, paths, content management, e-commerce, search, validation, and more. In addition to the functional requirements, the following requirements will also be specified:
- design requirements
- content requirements
- content migration
- development/technical requirements
- accessibility requirements
- hosting requirements
- testing requirements
- training requirements
- documentation requirements
- release requirements
Review and approval of the functional specification document marks the end of the discovery phase.
Development
All site functionality is developed and unit tested on a development server.
Testing
The site functionality is tested by the user, developer, and client using the following:
System Testing
Testing of the entire site's systems are performed from start to finish. For example, finding a product, adding it to the cart, checking out, and processing the order.
User Testing
Small groups of users are used to test the usability of the site. The users are monitored in completing the basic site tasks, and usability issues are uncovered and corrected.
Client Acceptance Testing
The client reviews all site functionality to make sure it conforms to the functional specification and accepts the site before release.
Training and Documentation
Site admins and editors are trained on using the site, and documentation is produced to use for future reference and to train others.
Release
The site is released to production. Site issues are monitored and fixed for a set period of time after release.
Maintenance and Enhancements
A maintenance and enhancement plan is developed for the site. Any functions of the site that do not meet the original functional requirements are fixed. Any additions or changes to the sites are incorporated and added to the documentation.
Auditing
Site performance and usage is audited using statistical tracking tools such as Google Analytics. Usage and performance reports reveal site improvements to better meet the users needs.