Steps of a Project for a Web Site Builder

by Rachel Goldstein

As a new freelancer, there is nothing scarier then starting your first project. This article will take a closer look at the steps you should follow when in charge of a project. Hopefully, if you are aware of what the process should be, you won't be as concerned about getting things right. Since I am assuming that this is your first client, return business is essential to growing your business. Follow the below steps from start to finish and you should have a happy client and a check in your hands.

1. TRACK TIME

It is important to track your time when you are working on a project. Start logging time as soon as you start to give your attention to a project. Place a time log into a new docket and write onto this log start and finish times along with other detailed information every time you work on this project.

Take a look at a good time log at Figure I.

FIGURE I

DATE	TASKS	COMMENTS	START	FINISH	TOTAL TIME

 

For several reasons, it is important to use the time log accurately. First and foremost, your client might expect you to break down your hours for him so they are aware of where their money is going. Secondly, in order to increase your productivity, examining where your time is being spent is essential. After freelancing for a while you will be able to figure out how much to bid on projects easily from experience.

2. OPEN UP A DOCKET

A docket is a huge envelope or sleeve to keep all papers together. Nothing looks worse than going to a meeting with a client and forgetting essential paperwork. In order to escape this possibility, I suggest using a docket for each individual project.

I recommend using a black marker to distinguish this project from other projects. I have always named my project's computer files and dockets by the company's name and then follow this with consecutive numbers. So for example, XYZCompany001 would be XYZ Company's first project.

3. NEW CUSTOMER?

If this client is working with you for the first time you should start an information sheet on him or her. You might not think that this is important, but if this client ends up being a dead beat, you will be glad to have his or her address and phone number. After you have completed this form, place it in your docket.

4. SCHEDULE STAGES OF A JOB

Start every job with a piece of paper. List steps that need to be involved in order finish production. Otherwise, you might get stuck with having to go backwards three steps in order to go forwards again. Sometimes stages of a project will need to be reworked because you didn't take the time to write down your game plan. Try not to let this happen to you.

5. CONTRACT

Protect yourself against problem clients by writing a contract. Make sure to have your client sign and send back the contract before starting the project.

6. ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS

A great way to begin your project is to plan out how the web site is going to be organized. A mind map is one way to do this. You can do this by taking a blank piece of paper and placing your pen onto the middle of your page. Write down a word or two that matches the subject of your previous notes. Branch out with lines to related topics. Your mind map is now similar to a Flow Chart. Make sure that all navigational routes have been mapped out. If possible, have someone else take a look at your Flow Chart to see if you have missed anything.

7. STORYBOARDING

Storyboarding is a device used to layout the design and navigation of a site. It could simply be a rough sketch on a scrap of paper. However, I always send out a storyboard to a client before starting to actually layout the site. I recommend laying out rough sketches in Illustrator or Freehand. Use your mind map or Flow Chart to help guide you through this process. Ask your client to sign off on the bottom of this Flow Chart.

8. THINK ART

One of the most engaging attractions of a good web site is its graphics. Listen carefully to your client carefully in order to find out what he wants. If the client can't explain what he is visualizing, help out with a few questions. The following five questions can be used.

1. What sites are visually appealing to you?
2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is a fast-loading site to you?
3. What colors are you partial to?
4. Do you already have existing collateral (brochures, catalogs, etc.)? If so, what flexibility do I have with your fonts, logo, and colors?
5. Do you have any art that we need in order to complete this project?

If you are having a hard time finding your creative self, I suggest taking a look at CoolHomePages.com to get a few ideas to build on.

Once you have an idea of what your client is expecting you are ready to storyboard the site.

9. PHOTOSHOP

Now that your client has signed off on your storyboard it is time to start the design process. Finally! Follow these steps to ease the design process.

1. Take a screen shot of your browser.
2. Bring this image into Photoshop and save file.
3. Layout all design elements into layers for home page of site first.
4. Design at least three different design variations.
4. Go to your local service bureau to print out 2 copies of each design, one for you and one for the client. Remember to charge the client for printouts with 5% - 10% markup. Place one of each printout copy into the project's docket, this is your copy.
5. Go to a business supply store, like Staples, and buy black board, a portfolio case big enough to hold several black boards, Utility knife, Exacto knife, spray adhesive, labels, and a straight ruler.
6. Use an Exacto knife and straight ruler to cut off excess paper of Client's printout copy.
7. Measure width and length of the printout.
8. Cut black board to be about 4 inches taller and wider than the printout is.
9. Spray the back of the printout lightly with spray adhesive. After spraying the back of the printout, put one corner down about 2 inches from the top and 2 inches from the left of the black board. Then pull printout taut from the bottom right as you slowly press down the paper from the upper left. This will keep bubbling from happening. There should now be 2 inches of blackboard framing each side of the printout.
10. Place a label on the back of black board with copyright information, your logo, and a place for client to sign off.

If your client is local, setup an appointment in order to show him the mockups. If you have a long distance relationship, I suggest using Fed Ex to ship the mockups to your client. Ask your client to sign off on the back of the mockup that he likes. However, if the client doesn't like any of your layouts, which happens to the best of us, you are back to the drawing board.

Once you get a layout that your client likes, you should rename your Photoshop file to reflect this and move the unused files into an "idea file". There is no reason that these unused mockups cannot be modified for your next client. Also, you should proceed to take the unused mockup copies out of the project's docket and leave behind the chosen mockups. I would suggest placing unused mockups in a binder for new clients to look at to see what style they like.

Now is when you will be glad that you have created your Photoshop files in layers. Duplicate the already existing file and make mockup files for inside pages as well.

10. OPTIMIZE IMAGES

Now that you have all of your pages laid out in Photoshop, it is time to cut out the images that you will use in the web page. A good rule of thumb is not to exceed 30K per page. Otherwise, your web page will take too long to load. Here area few more tips that you should follow:

1. Illustrations should be saved as a gif.
2. Photographs should be saved as a jpeg.
3. Keep the amount of colors in an image to a minimum.
4. Aliased images are smaller.
5. The more compression you apply to a jpeg - the smaller the image.

11. PROTOTYPE IT

Take your printed mockups and Flow Chart. Place them by your side and use them in order to layout your page. Create your pages so that they are all linked together. The following tips will help you organize your files.

1. Place all images in an images folder.
2. Place every section of your site in a separate file.
3. Structure your directories to roughly match your Flow Chart.
4. Make sure that your file names make sense (It is a good idea to have a company code in front of each file. For example, for XYZ Company's About Us page, I would use xyz_about.html.).
6. Have an archiving system in place in order to backup your files. Name your files accordingly in order to link all of your html files together in order to create a working prototype that the client can test.

12. TESTING PHASE

Before you send the prototype to your client, test out the usability of the site with friends that haven't been involved with this project. Write down all input that they can give to you - both good and bad. Also, try as many different browsers, plugins, and operating systems as the visitors are likely to use. Make sure to fix any problems that you find and make a mental note for further projects on what works and what doesn't.

After internally checking the site, upload the site to the host server to test out access speed, plugins, and configurations. When you are sure that things are in working order, it is time to let the client test out the prototype site. There will likely be several things that your client won't like. Listen carefully to your client and make sure to give merit to all suggestions that the client makes. Make sure to have the client sign off on the prototype in order to make the site live.

13. MAKE IT LIVE

Once the testing phase is complete, it is time to make the site live. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Inevitably, visitors will always find something that they aren't happy with. You should always give support to your newly launched sites for at least 2 to 4 weeks.

14. REVIEW AND INVOICE JOB

Now that you have completed the project it is time to fulfill your administrative duties. It is time now to review your time sheet. Add up all of the columns to calculate total hours spent on the project. Break this number into how many hours were spent on each phase of the project.

Make a copy of the time sheet for the client and create an invoice to reflect your agreed upon hourly fee. Always reference the client's purchase order number on your invoice. Otherwise, many Accounts Payable departments won't pay your invoice. If your client has not given you a PO# then you should contact him to make sure that there isn't a PO# linked to this project. Include all necessary information on your invoice. I always include the following:

1. Your logo, name, company name, address, and phone number
2. Client's Contact name, company name, address, and phone number
3. Purchase order date (date job was ordered)
4. Invoice date
5. Invoice number
6. Payment terms (for example, net 45 days)
7. Break down of how many hours were spent on each phase of the project
8. Add on expenses (Printing expenses - remember to add 10% - 15% markup)

Staple the purchase order to the invoice. Make sure that your invoice is neat and professional and then send it out to the client.

15. ARCHIVE THE PROJECT

Now that you are finished, you can use the docket to archive this project. Remember the black marker and label that previously was used to name your project's docket? You are now going to file your project by this number. In order to find this project easier, I suggest placing a filing tab on each docket. Place everything in alphanumeric order.

Make sure everything that belongs in the docket is there. Place all corresponding files on a Zip or Jazz disk and then place it in the project's docket. All administrative documents, such as invoices and POs, should be placed in the docket. Also, any printouts, emails, or notes that correspond to this project also belong in the docket.

16. EVERYTHING IS REUSABLE

You shouldn't ever reuse projects that are copyrighted by your client. However, portions of every project are reusable. For example, you wouldn't reuse a design that you specifically created for a client. But, you could reuse Photoshop paths or textures that you created.

You will find that as you complete more and more projects, each one becomes a little bit easier. As you start out in freelancing, use each project as a learning experience. Each project completed results in a more experienced and valuable freelancer.