i-KOS on content management

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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

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…
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Website design & development process
Requirement Gathering
A requirement gathering interview is an essential
step to begin to learn about the different types of
‘users’ and identify the ‘Content’ and ‘Functional designer client
Requirements’. We need to understand the programmer
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.
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Website design & development process
Research
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.
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Website design & development process
Proposal
A 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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Planning & Strategy
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.
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Website design & development process
Content Acquisition
Content 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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Design
We 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.
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Website design & development process
Feedback
We present the high-level design concepts
for feedback and input
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Website design & development process
Refinement
During the refinement process we evaluate the
favoured design to ensure it works equally well
for all areas of the site.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Approval
We 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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Web Toolkit Build
Creating 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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Content population
We are then ready to import the content, placing it in
the appropriate area as determined by the site map.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Live
Once 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.
SiteSolved CMS Platform

Website design & development process
Training & Support
After 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.
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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.
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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.
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Contact
Myles Davidson
i-KOS
4 Twisleton Court
Priory Hill
Dartford Kent
DA1 2EN
tel: 01322 277 255
www.i-kos.com
SiteSolved CMS Platform