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Simple Business Web site: Development Lifecycle

This resource is designed specifically for Unit 6 of the Edexcel BTEC qualification, 'Business Online'.

Aim

In this section we examine the factors a business must consider when developing a Web site and the development life cycle of that Web site. Students will complete tasks that illustrate some of the steps businesses go through in planning a Web site.

Factors influencing the development of a business Web site

The successful development of a business Web site is all about planning. Unfortunately, many businesses develop their Web sites without a clear understanding of why they should have a Web site in the first place. These mistakes are costly to rectify once the site has launched.

Biz/ed's ordering of these five factors and the reasoning behind our decisions

1. The Web site users - the users of your Web site are the single most important factor influencing the design of the Web site. A business must develop its Web site based on what the users actually want because this influences all of the other factors.
2. The content of the site - having determined what the users want the next factor concerns developing appropriate content to meet these objectives.
3. Project budget - having examined what the users want and how to achieve this the business must then assess whether there are sufficient funds in the project budget to achieve this. If there are not then the company may plan the user requirements but decide to stagger the launch of various parts of the Web site in order to manage the budget more effectively.
4. Download speed - content should be fast to download. If not then users may give up and go elsewhere.
5. Attractive graphics - making the site look attractive is obviously important in creating the right impression, however, it is no use having an attractive Web site if it does not offer what users want.

The development life-cycle of a business Web site

What are the steps that take place during the development of a Web site?

1. Business analysis - The business analyses why it wants a Web site. At this stage the business determines who the main groups of Web site users will be. The business must also develop a business model (is the Web site to promote the business, generate revenue, offer support to customers, etc.) and establish how the success of the Web site will be assessed.
2. 

   Image: 'Personas' are a helpful way of analysing what users want to achieve - could this be Helen? Copyright: Philippe Ramakers, stock.xchng

   User needs analysis - Having decided on the groups of users that will use the Web site the next step is to establish what functionality these users will require. One of the biggest pitfalls at this stage is for a business to assume "it knows what its customers want". At this stage many businesses consult actual or potential users and consider factors that may affect how they use the Web site (for example: social and economic factors, IT skill level, language, the computer hardware likely to be used to connect to the site). It is also common for 'personas' relating to each of the perceived user groups to be developed. These 'personas' are not real people but are a helpful way of analysing what users want to achieve. Two (brief) personas and user needs of people who might use a UK university Web site might be:
   • Helen is a 17 year-old student in a UK FE college studying for her A2 examinations. Helen has access to a high speed internet connection at college but must use a dial-up connection at home. Helen may want to complete the following tasks on the Web site:
     1. Look up degree course details.
     2. Find information on university accommodation.
     3. Establish whether there are any student bursaries that she could apply for to help with the financial cost of going to university.
   • Enid is a pensioner and the grandmother of a university student. Enid is a 'silver surfer' but her eyesight is not what it used to be and she often changes the font size used on Web sites to make them easier to read. Enid may want to complete the following tasks:
     1. Find the email address of her grandson so she can keep in touch with him during his time at university.
     2. Enid did not have the opportunity to go to University when she was younger. She would now like to find information on distance learning degree courses that she can complete from home.
   
   

   Task 2

   In groups of two or three develop two further 'personas' for people who may use a UK university Web site.

   
   
3. Task analysis - At this stage the results from the user needs analysis will be examined and task analysis undertaken. This usually takes the form of a numbered list or a flow diagram of actions that must be taken to complete each of the tasks produced in the user needs analysis. For example, Helen wants to look for degree course details at a University of her choice. An example task analysis may look like:
   1. Go to the university homepage
   2. Follow the link entitled 'Information for prospective students'
   3. Select 'Online undergraduate prospectus'
   4. Select the link to 'Choose a programme' - at this stage the links are categories by Faculty (e.g. Science, Engineering, etc.)
   5. Follow the link to the chosen degree programme
   
   

   Task 3

   In groups of two or three undertake the task analysis for Helen and Enid's remaining tasks in addition to the task analysis for the two additional 'personas' you developed in Task 2.

   Compare your task analysis for Helen and Enid's remaining tasks with the analysis done by the other groups in your class.

   
   
4. Content - In conjunction with the Task analysis stage the development of content to fit these tasks will be considered. Decisions will also be taken on how to structure this content within the Web site in order for users to find the information they need quickly. This structuring of content is called Information Architecture.
5. Writing of a functional specification - A functional specification is essentially a blueprint or highly detailed plan of the Web site. It describes the Web site from a user's perspective and will include what should go in menus, how content is structured, how tasks should be completed, etc. The functional specification tells a Web designer what information should be presented in each section of the site and a programmer what functionality is needed in these areas. For the client (the person who the Web site is for), it also describes how the Web site users will achieve the tasks identified by the user needs and task analysis. The functional specification may also include prototypes. These can be mocked-up Web pages or even illustrations of how the Web site will work on paper.
6. Technical development and visual design - working from the functional specification the Web designer and programmer (if applicable) produce the visual design and functionality of the Web site.
7. Pilot & testing - One of the most critical phases in the development of a Web site is user testing. A working prototype (or pilot) of the Web site is developed. Groups of potential users are then asked to complete various tasks on the pilot Web site. Often users are observed by other people who record their actions. Testers may also be asked to complete questionnaires or to say aloud their thoughts as they attempt a task, this dialogue is often recorded and analysed at a later date. The results of the user testing phase may lead to modifications being made to the Web site functionality or design.
8. Implement - After successful testing of the pilot Web site the remainder of any outstanding content is added to the site. The site is given any final quality assurance checks.
9. Roll out - The site is made available online.
10. Maintenance - After launch the site must be maintained. For example, new content is added to the Web site to encourage users to visit regularly. It is also common practice for the Web site to be reviewed regularly and, if appropriate, new functionality added - this might be required if a business launches a new product or service, for example.

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