Evaluation

I feel that I have successfully managed the project to my original timescale allowing me to complete each task as soon as possible. Using the project plan it has enabled me to view my actual progress and where I should ideally be along the scale. Fortunately, I was never too far off my scale, only occasionally one or two days out.
With the website I did not encounter any large technical errors. The only real errors I had where having to re-define a few images along the way. Now the site runs exactly how my client wanted it to, loads quickly and is easy to navigate around. Using the prototypes and feedback from the client I felt that I managed to pick up on new aspects of web design from another persons view as apposed to my own. However, I did feel that some of my client’s requirements did not quite suit the site (such as a very small font) but she felt that this was better. When designing the website I adhered to standard ways of working such as using appropriate file names (only using lower case letters and using underscores for any spaces in the name). I also ensured that I took regular backups of the site, especially when I made large changes to the site. In the project I did have to revert to a backup because as I was altering around with some file structure a lot of the links etc did not work. Luckily, I made a fresh backup just before I tried these changes.

User Feedback:
A few people where kind enough to give me some user feedback.

First of all, thank-you for successfully creating me a website to my requirements.

What I am most pleased with is the time and easy that the site was created in. I felt very secure with you as you each week we would make contact to see each others progress. At first I expected the project to drag on a little but thank to the project plan you drew up I knew personally deadlines which I felt dramatically cut the time the project took.
I am very happy at how the website looks, just as I imagined it. I find that it takes next to no time to load and I can easily find my way around it. Maybe in the future the site could be expanded with more pages etc.

The site you have managed to create look really great. What I like most about it is how clear it is. I can read all the writing and all the pictures stand out. From what I have seen in the project plan it looks like you have estimated your times very well. You had set your self realistic deadlines and managed to meet just about all of them on schedule.
However, there are a few points of improvement that I think could be made to the site. There seems to be quite a bit of empty space of some web pages which makes the site look smaller than what it is. Also, I think the font could have been a little larger as in places I had some difficultly reading the text.

Site Improvements:
There are some improvements to the site that I would make which I feel would enhance it.

Use of flash – I feel that the use of flash modules such as a navigation system and perhaps and entry screen would have helped the site look more professional and create more of a visual experience for potential customers. My client originally did not want flash as she claimed people may not have it installed so perhaps there could have been two sites, once html and one flash.
More colour – I personally felt that if there was more colour to the site it would again help create a more visual experience. From a marketing perspective this could help attract more potential buyers.
“E-mail form” – As well as giving the direct e-mail address an e-mail form could have been implemented. This would enable people to send an email directly through the site as apposed to use a mail client such as Microsoft Outlook. I find myself that having an e-mail form on a site is often quicker and easier to use than having to open up my mail client.

As a whole I felt that I managed to stick to deadlines and successfully create a web site to a professional business’ requirements.