How we work.
In the last eleven years we’ve built thousands of websites and web-based applications. This wealth of experience has taught us a lot, but the most important of these lessons is that successful websites don’t happen by accident, they happen by design.
User centred design process.
Design includes the look and feel, the actual usability and the functionality of a website. Like all design processes the one that ends in a usable, accessible and findable website is a problem solving process. Initially the options are almost limitless – the design process exists to ensure these almost limitless options result in a carefully focused business asset which works for you.
Our design approach follows a well-developed and proven set of procedures (the user centred design process). This process is iterative and collaborative. Good collaboration, not just between our designers and developers, but between ourselves and you, the client, are a vital ingredient of the process. We’ve produced this document to help you understand the process Popcorn will take you through in the development of your website.
Three benchmarks are used to keep our development aligned with your site's objectives.
A strong business focus.
Whether commercial or not, websites are business tools and as such need investment to maintain them at peak performance. Any work undertaken must therefore be based on sound commercial principles.
Total user focus.
Understanding your site’s audiences and users enables us to ensure that the site meets their needs and expectations. If that is achieved, visitors will stay on your site longer – it will become ‘stickier’, like flypaper – and whatever transactions you want them to enter into will be completed with maximum satisfaction, leaving them happy to return another day.
Substance over style.
Today it is possible to make a website look a million dollars and do practically anything, but is it justifiable, necessary or affordable? Finite budgets and the need to get the site up and earning its keep are natural limiters to online extravagance. We only recommend work that will ensure your website looks the part – but functions beautifully.
Although Popcorn is a full-service consultancy, because we are deeply practical, we are experienced in working in a complementary manner with our clients’ own suppliers or in-house teams. There’s no room for prima donnas in our world.
