Web Design Overview

Web design

Overview

  • Full in-house web development service by Dotcommers LLP
  • Hosting by Dotcommers LLP on co-located server with 3-level backup, bandwidth up to 10Gb per month per client. Higher levels are available.
  • Email accounts (IMAP and POP3) with built in Anti-SPAM and Anti-Virus; always up-to-date
  • Server system experience
    • RHEL
    • Solaris
    • Gentoo
    • RedHat
    • Fedora
    • Windows NT / 2000 / SBS 2003
  • Bespoke programming using:
    • MS Windows
      • C and C++
      • Delphi 2005 (.net)
      • Visual Basic
      • MS Access
    • Linux (RHEL 3 and 4)
      • Active Server Pages (ASP)
      • PHP (Zend optimisation)
      • Perl / CGI
      • MySQL / PostgreSQL
  • Database development and integration
  • Client admin tools and CMS interface
  • E-commerce applications
  • Secure certification (SSL)
  • Online marketing with search engine optimisation


Delivery and Project Management

Design Methodology

Usability


The site must be user friendly in terms of both site administrators and actual users to ensure the site is used as it is intended, this will be delivered thorough design and functionality within the site.

Functional

The site must have sufficient functionality to ensure it is an effective resource tool.

Cross platform

To ensure the site is supported by different browsers, DDA compliant and HTML 4.01 Strict, clean code, supported by more browsers, increased page download speed.

Portability

The site can be moved to a Linux environment and the software is not tied into our servers. Minimum environment requirements are available on request.

Adaptability

The site can be developed, expanded and amended as required therefore meeting the present and future needs of the organisation. We understand the need for organic growth of any organisation and the build of the site will reflect this.

Brand building

It is important that all the users of this site learn to use this tool as a key resource. The development of a brand or name with which users are familiar, encourage them to make the web site their first reference point for all relevant enquiries.

 

Site architecture

There are 3 main areas

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Marketing

Design

Taking the elements of the specification we produce a web site that will support the objectives.

Functionality and technical applications
Front-end system
  • User login and data capture
  • Search facilities
  • Information request systems
  • Message board systems (Forum)
  • Content, Services and products
  • Home page design
  • Site map index
  • Web links, RSS news feeds, download manager, image gallery
Back-end systems
  • User management database
  • Content Management system
  • Site content input & editor control
  • Message board Forum system
  • E-marketing with Bulk Email system
  • Reporting systems for site usage
Other Considerations
  • Security
  • Hosting
  • E-mail accounts, anti-spam and anti-virus protection
  • DDA Compliancy:
Marketing
Search engine optimisation

By using client-specific software applied to the CMS site, it is possible to optimise the “search engine friendly” structure and content. This involves modification of page references, revision of meta-tags, and text editing to match common search engine requirements.

Search engine submission

User traffic to the web site can be increased over time by submission to search engine facilities. This process involves direct submission to a pre-selected group of search engines on a regular cycle over 6 months or longer.

Monitoring reports are produced for client review.

Sponsorship

Certain search engines allow sponsorship and “pay-per-click”. These features can be arranged on behalf of the client.


 

Technical

We consider the technical aspect of the build as important as all other factors. This encompasses:

  • Servers & Security
  • Backup systems
  • Code
Servers and security
  • Hosted on our own dedicated server – Apache Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
  • The system will be held on a secure server with a security certificate whereby data is encrypted.
  • Databases: Held behind a firewall, only accessible from the server.
  • We will ensure effective firewall server management, maintenance, use of digital certificates, user authentication and encryption.
Backup
  • The entire web site will be backed up daily onto an internal hard drive.
  • Once per week the server is fully backed up to an external web space
  • Once per week the web site is backed up by offsite email.
Code
  • Our systems are constructed using PHP, MYSQL running on an Apache server, this offers a robust platform to support and develop databases without compromise
  • Standard proven cross platform languages to ensure browser compatibility that are supported by the Internet community
  • Tidy, structured, code to comply with DDA