Setting up and renewing a website requires a lot of resources and time. Additionally, specialized web knowledge and skills are required in order to prepare the appropriate design and content for the purpose of the website.
Many companies outsource website production, but there are so many production companies out there that some people may be worried about not knowing which one to choose from among the many. This time, we will introduce the process of website production and how to choose a production company.
Website creation process and request details
There are four main steps in the website creation process.
① Clarification of purpose, target, period, and budget
purpose, target
First, we will clarify the purpose of launching and renewing your website. Examples include strengthening the brand, attracting customers to the website, increasing sales, and strengthening recruitment.
Also, once you have clarified your purpose, set the target for your website. To set targets, perform 3C analysis and set personas.
period, budget
We also decide on the completion date and budget for the website. The completion date and budget are not vague such as “as soon as possible and as cheap as possible,” but are determined in detail with a maximum of 300,000 yen by the end of next month. After that, the request to the production company will go smoothly.
② Creation of site map/wireframe
site map
After clarifying the purpose and target, we will design the entire website. Specifically, we will decide on the overall structure of the website while creating a site map.
The top page is on the first level, the category pages posted on Gronavi are on the second level, and the detailed pages belonging to the category pages under the second level are on the third level.
In the case of a website renewal, we will identify which pages are subject to renovation and summarize the pages that will be added as a result of the renewal in a site map.
wire frame
After designing the entire website, we will design what kind of content will be posted on each web page and where. For
the wireframe
, we identify the information that will be posted on each page and create a rough draft of what form and where it will be posted.
After creating a rough draft, organize the layout. In line with the concept of the website, decide whether to use a one-column layout, multi-column layout, or set up a sidebar, and then arrange the content.
We will complete the final wireframe. Arrange the header, footer, main visual, content area, etc., and complete the page while keeping in mind the flow to other pages.
③Design/coding
design
We design websites based on wireframes. We will decide on content placement, color scheme, text font size, decoration, margins, etc. that match the target.
coding
Once the design is decided, we move on to coding. Coding is the process of writing source code using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript.
④Publication
Finally, the completed website will be published on the Internet. Upload a set of files to the server and do your work.
Before publishing, be sure to upload it to a test environment and check it from a browser. We check that the design is not corrupted, that the text is visible properly, and that the transition to other pages is correct on a PC or smartphone.
If there are no problems in the test environment, publish it in the production environment and check if it can actually be accessed from the link.
When outsourcing to a production company, decide which of the above ① to ④ to request. We also clarify the delivery time and budget when making requests. You may also prepare an RFP (Request for Proposal) if necessary.
Four features of a production company
Even if you want to hire a production company, there are many production companies out there, and you may not know which company to hire. First of all, it is important to select a company that can realize the purpose of website production without considering the features of the production company.
There are four main features of a production company.
① Capable of strategic planning and strong in marketing
Our unique feature is that we can help you plan your website strategy to achieve your company’s goals and objectives. We can create websites from a marketing perspective, including designing sites in line with target needs and creating wireframes that reflect detailed conductor design.
Recommended if you do not have any know-how or knowledge about marketing and would like to request web consulting as well.
② Strong in SEO measures and content marketing
SEO measures are essential to attract more customers to your website. A production company that is strong in SEO measures and content marketing can design the SEO-friendly site structure necessary for high rankings in natural search, select keywords according to target needs, and create content.
Recommended if the purpose of launching or renewing a website is to attract customers or enhance content.
③ Strong in design and branding
If you want to create a highly designed website tailored to your target audience for corporate branding and fan acquisition, we recommend that you hire a production company that specializes in design.
We can create a website with a design that has a strong impact or one that you will want to visit over and over again.
④Available at low cost/Strong on price
If you want to minimize production costs and create a website that does not require special functions or systems, we recommend a production company that can do it at a low price.
This applies to cases where your company sets objectives and targets, creates wireframes, and only requests design and coding.
How to choose a production company
When choosing a production company, we recommend a competition format in which you approach multiple production companies. We contact multiple companies through internet searches and introductions, and inform them of the purpose and target of the website production, delivery time, budget, and request content requirements.
We will check the proposals and estimates from each production company, and finally select the production company to request. There are four points to consider when choosing a production company.
① Does it match the purpose of website creation?
We will check to see if the proposal matches the purpose of website creation. We also check to see if it meets the targets, delivery time, budget, and requirements of the request.
If it does not meet the requirements, be sure to check the reason. In some cases, the contents of the request may not be realistic, in which case we will adjust the requirements.
② Is the estimate clear?
Also check the details of the estimate. Check what is included in the proposed cost and how long the contract period is.
③Do you have many production records?
Check the results on the production company’s website. You can also visit the websites that are introduced as achievements and check the design and conductor design.
④Do you have good compatibility with the person in charge of direction?
The production period for a website can range from one month to several months. During this time, you will communicate with the production company many times, so it is important to check your compatibility with the person in charge to ensure a smooth production.
summary
When outsourcing to a production company, decide what to outsource from among the purpose/target, sitemap/wireframe creation, design/coding, and publishing work.We are strong in marketing, strong in SEO measures, strong in design, strong in price, etc. It is important to select a company that can realize the purpose of website production without considering the features of the production company. A production company that conveys the objectives, targets, delivery schedule, budget, and requirements for the request is selected based on the content of the proposal, estimate, production track record, and compatibility with the person in charge of direction.