We build websites that are both creative and easy to use. Each site we create is unique and different from the last.
In our enthusiasm to be creative we won’t lose site of the websites primary purpose in serving the people who visit it with the information they are looking for. A common phrase we like to employ when building websites is ‘Don’t make me think’*. If a visitor has any doubt that your site isn’t what they are looking for or they have to think too hard to find what they are looking for, the chances are that visitor will move on.
At MLC we draw on years of experience in website design. During this time we have refined the process we go through when designing and building websites. By using MLC you can be assured that you will be tapping into years of expertise in this field which will be applied to your project providing great results creatively and in your websites performance.
We have been involved in many different website projects:
- Membership Sites
- Charity Donations
- Online Shops
- Ticket Selling
- Blogs
- Presentations
- Interactive Diagrams
- Business & Consultancy
- Church & Charity Organisations
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Financial Services
- The Public Sector
*We highly recommend this book by Steve Krug called: Don’t make me think. Everything he says is common sense but it is often these simple things that get overlooked.
The Process
Each stage that we will take you through on your website is strategic and will enable us to design you a website that looks great as well as serving the purpose you wanted a website for in the first place.
1) The Questionnaire
We begin with our project questionnaire. This helps us to understand more about you and your organisation and the scope of the project.
2) The Proposal
From the questionnaire results we will be able to draft up a proposal outlining the plan for the project including rough timescales, technologies involved, stages of work and cost.
3) Kick-off meetings
With all key stakeholders present, these meetings are key to finalising the scope of the project. With post-it-notes and a blank wall we will map out the website structure and flow through the site. This is key to finding out what information needs to be displayed and how users are likely to interact with the site.
4) Wireframes
One of the most important aspects of the project is the wire framing of key areas of the site. A wireframe is an interactive prototype of the website. Using the information from the kick-off meeting this stage will sketch out the pages required on the site and how they are joined to each other. It helps us see what content will need to be created and establish the navigation through the site. Think of it like an architects plan. It’s easy to move a window on a drawing. It’s a completely different matter moving that window when the building is constructed. The same can be said of website design. Wireframes are the way we can get the website structure right, quickly.
5) Visuals
Once we have decided on the structure we will compile the initial visuals for the website. These visuals will show key pages like a homepage and a couple of others pages on the site.
6) Visual Development
Based on the feedback we receive the visuals will be developed into the final site theme.
7) Site Construction
The site will now be constructed on a private test server and once complete, will be available to you for viewing. Testing in multiple browsers will take place and final tweaks made. The site will be optimised for search engines and analytic software installed ready for launch.
8) Launch
After sign-off by yourselves the website will be launched.
