Our System

Intelligent Development System^SM

The Intelligent Development System is our proprietary step-by-step approach to web projects. We also like to call it the A,B,C,Ds of web development. In addition to a tried-and-true formula, the most compelling attribute of this system is the human perspective that we infuse into each phase. The result, a relationship with our clients built on trust and communication—and most importantly, a web presence from which to build effective relationships with customers and prospects.

Phase A: Analyze

We begin at a high-level—like 30,000 feet—and perform a thorough web audit. We ask a lot of questions and listen carefully to the answers. We make sure we understand not only your goals, but your challenges and pains. What's the long-term vision? Do we need to plan for changes, website expansion or growth down the road? As we drill down, we collectively identify opportunities, present options and make recommendations—this typically also includes technical options and tradeoff considerations, as well as hosting issues.

This analysis paves the way to a Scope of Work and a requirements document that outlines all necessary elements and details of your web project. It covers required resources, site architecture and navigation, site design, technical requirements, usability analysis, and more. The final Scope of Work drives the project and all deliverables.

Phase B: Blueprint

This phase begins with profiling. No, it's not illegal. We profile your targeted users. We may touch on this in phase A, but here, we want to understand in more detail if necessary how your different targets behave on the web and why. What drives them to act (i.e. sign-up, purchase, etc.)? How do we make sure they act with you and not your competition? We uncover the answers.

Next we navigate. We determine the best way for the targeted users to navigate your new website, based on what we know about them, the information you want to share with them, and the actions you want them to take. Navigation leads to design. We create design options for you to review. They can be tailored to fit within pre-existing brand guidelines, or to meet your wishes for a new look-and-feel. Either way, you leave this phase knowing who you want to talk to and what it's going to look like when you do.

Phase C: Construct

Just as a construction crew builds a house, here the XploreNet team builds your new website. We meticulously follow the blueprint created in phase B. We build all the pages and any associated database tools and custom functionality.

We'll launch your website three times along the way. Don't get too excited, we only launch it once to your targeted audience. We launch first internally for the XploreNet team—called an Alpha site. We test the website ourselves before we even share it with you. Then we launch it for you to see for the first time, so you can begin to test the site—this is called a Beta site. Lastly, we launch to the public, or go live . After the public launch we monitor the new website very closely for an initial period and immediately attend to any bugs or errors that may have slipped through testing.

In your new website's early life, we follow-up with you regularly to discuss any needed or desired changes that may have come about since the launch. We ask for feedback—yours as well as any you get from your target users. With our Intelligent Development System, flexibility is not a problem—changes or additional features are generally not too difficult to integrate.

Phase D: Drive

Now that you have built it, there's no guarantee your targeted users will come. A strong web presence involves much more than a new, dynamic website and a memorable user experience. None of it matters if your target user can't find your website or doesn't even know it exists.

Have you ever had a new car, or seen someone in a new car and noticed how people stop and turn their heads to see it. This phase focuses on just that — turning heads. We want people to take notice of your new website. Taking what we know about your target users from phase B and your goals, we develop an online promotion and communication strategy for your website. This can include, but is not limited to tools such as search engine marketing, e-mail marketing tools, blogs, podcasts, etc. It also entails studying website traffic analytics and potentially implementing adjustments as a result.