There should also be a single person assigned to be contacted and sign off on the project. Ask to see our Web Design Planning Form . The scope needs to be clearly defined and agreed upon by all parties from the begining of the project. The architecture of the site needs to be developed, and the framework must be built. Sitemaps and flow charts are common at this stage of the game.
Content is developed and prepared to be flowed into the framework of the site.
In most cases, the design phase starts before the architecture has been finished. Designers work to add visual representation to the thoughts and ideas presented in the first two phases. By the time the look and feel is established, the entire site is laid out and ready to enter production. Usability testing is a very important way to ensure that the final product meets both the client's expectations and the users' needs. This phase may include multiple rounds of testing, from formal focus groups or contextual interviewing, to informal audience studies.