Planning For Content Management

i-KOS on content management

SiteSolved CMS Platform

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to outline the process i-KOS uses to plan, design, and produce a new website using a content management system.


Company Background

i-KOS are a full service creative and technical agency with expertise in developing and fulfilling online and offline potential

Among our core competencies:Branding, Marketing, Design, Project Management, Web Application Development, Search Engine Marketing…

Website design & development process


Requirement GatheringA requirement gathering interview is an essential step to begin to learn about the different types of ‘users’ and identify the ‘Content’ and ‘Functional Requirements’. We need to understand the fundamentals; ‘What is important and to whom?’, ‘What is not?’, ‘What needs to be on every page?’, ‘How are we to judge the website’…

During this early phase we also look to understand the basic scope of the work – what needs to be done, roles and responsibilities, who are the points of contact for materials (text content, images) etc.

programmer

designer client



We will undertake research relating to competitors websites and work with you whilst the brand and brand values are being developed. We are essentially looking to develop the journeys and pathways through your site to encourage users to delve deeper and learn more about your business.

We also investigate user search patterns relevant to your industry, various services on both a national and regional basis where you have offices.

Research



ProposalA detailed proposal is then delivered. This clearly demonstrates our understanding of the project as a whole and provides an estimate of each component.

This is to manage your expectations from the very beginning. We try to be conservative and ensure all eventualities discussed are presented. After the planning stage we deliver a phased and final estimate which relates to a ‘functional specification’ or ‘wire frame’ document.



We use a variety of planning tools to ensure the full scope of the project is understood and ‘mapped’.

This would typically include:• A Site Map to graphically illustrate the infrastructure

and hierarchy of the content• A Wire Frame version of the intended website,

indicating all the navigation, function and content elements that will appear on the final site, but with no graphic design elements

• A Functional Specification to explain how the elements of the website will work in practice

Such tools provide us with a blueprint for the content, design and construction work that follows.

Planning & Strategy



Content AcquisitionContent gathering, writing, and editing represents your largest time investment. We will assist by creating a content checklist however this is an area that must not be underestimated.

After the site is built and the content populated we understand that management will be handed over with training and support.



DesignWe use a streamed approach. Whilst the technical stream are working with you on the planning phases, our design stream commence on the high-level design concepts.



FeedbackWe present the high-level design concepts for feedback and input



RefinementDuring the refinement process we evaluate the favoured design to ensure it works equally well for all areas of the site.



ApprovalWe present the refined versions for approval.

Mutual active engagement in the design and planning process is essential if the true potential of the site is to be realised.



Web Toolkit BuildCreating the web toolkit. We take the approved visuals and create the HTML pages.

As we are specifying the SiteSolved CMS (content management system) we will effectively be creating the templates and master pages that will provide the building blocks for the site and allow all further pages to be created.



Content Management Integration The templates, master-pages and pages are then implemented in SiteSolved.

We are then able to provide a URL on our staging server for you to test the framework of the site.



Content populationWe are then ready to import the content, placing it in the appropriate area as determined by the site map.



Publish for review The site is then published for review. Any problems are corrected at this stage and the entire site must be double-checked thoroughly for content omissions or errors.

Throughout the development we check cross-browser functionality and ensure that usability standards are met.

All SiteSolved generated web pages comply with numerous web standards (such as Bobbi and W3C) in terms of accessibility for visually impaired users. Meaning your site will meet statutory requirements.



LiveOnce all stakeholders have approved the site and final changes completed we are ready to publish.

A project of this size will benefit from a phased approach, as each section is completed it can then be published. In our experience this attention to detail ensures the integrity of the site as a whole.



Training & SupportAfter a short period of the site going live, a review meeting and training session will be arranged.

We provide one-on-one training sessions for the web site administrators. We can also offer training sessions for small groups where we demonstrate the basic editing and updating capabilities of SiteSolved for the website ‘editors’ and ‘authors’.

We believe in ongoing open communication at all levels. Your site be monitored daily by our services and you will be able to access detailed analytical statistics.

We offer a whole variety of support and ongoing marketing and search engine optimisation services.


Content Management

Taking control of your website content is a worthwhile goal. We have vast experience in building content managed websites and will guide you through the potential pitfalls when transitioning from site owner to site publisher.

It is vital that a company with a CMS system both empowers users and editors to author the website as part of their responsibilities. A hierarchical workflow system can be employed to ensure continuity of language and quality is maintained.


SiteSolved CMS

We propose to build your site using our proprietary Content Management Software, SiteSolved.

This platform allows us to build the site so that you can take over its management.

SiteSolved offers a number of functional tools allowing you to update content without having to incur developer costs.

This approach significantly reduces the ongoing maintenance costs for the website and encourages you to keep the content fresh and relevant.

Access is secure and gained via a browser. The application is platform independent and requires no third party plug-ins or desktop software.


Contact

Myles Davidson

i-KOS4 Twisleton CourtPriory HillDartford KentDA1 2EN

tel: 01322 277 255www.i-kos.com

Planning For Content Management

Design

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