System and method for facilitating development of customized website projects

• US 10,115,062 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Issued: 10/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1175856 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: 1175856 Ontario Limited
• Inventors: Monaghan, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sterrett, Jonathan G
• Application Number:
  US10/194,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 5,951 Days
• Field of Search: 705 8, 705 7, 705 9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data

Abstract

Systems and Methods for Facilitating Development of Customized Website Projects are disclosed. A business proposal based on a business analysis can be created. The business analysis can be incorporated into a functional design report. A website can be built using the functional design report.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating development of two or more customized website projects over a network, comprising:

for each customized website project, receiving electronic data in functional design modules which can be utilized by a website developer to create a customized website, the functional design modules comprising;

a creative concept module requesting information related to;

a business description, a marketing activity, a selling proposition, an internet marketing activity, a reference, a comment, and a logo;

a research and analysis module requesting information related to;

client research comprising key decision makers, company size, news events affecting the company, and key clients;

market research comprising target market, key industry terminology and trends, key competitors, and industry challenges;

Internet research comprising host-developed websites in the same industry, current client website and its effectiveness, news events regarding how the Internet is affecting the client'"'"'s industry; and

documentation of the research;

an Internet business analysis module requesting information related to Internet formatting, Internet business practices, and desired Internet features;

a functional requirements module requesting information related to a required technical product and a needed quantity;

a website plan module requesting information related to a site plan;

a page information module requesting meta tag information;

a database information module requesting information related to a database to use as a guideline;

a flash design module requesting information related to multiple, distinct sequences to appear in different sections of the customized website;

a launching module placing the customized website live on a server and registering the customized website with search engines to optimize traffic levels such that the customized website is ranked high within search engine listings, the search engines comprising major search engines, community and industry-specific search engines, and hub-websites;

automating access to the electronic data in the functional design modules by a computer over the network;

automating obtaining at least one of the at least two customized website projects from the website developer, the website developer using the functional design report to create the at least one of the at least two customized website projects; and

filtering the at least two customized website projects by at least one of;

active status, accepted status, rejected status, submitted status, and saved status; and

launching the customized website for the at least one of the at least two customized website projects, wherein the launching comprises;

reviewing connectivity of client systems;

activating the customized website;

populating the customized website with production data;

registering the customized website with search engines;

training the client about the customized website; and

review marketing related to the customized website.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing processing associated with utilizing information in the functional design modules to create a proposal comprising information related to:

a client'"'"'s Internet familiarity;

a client'"'"'s at least one business practice; and

a client'"'"'s at least one desired Internet application.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the information related to the client'"'"'s at least one business practice comprises:

selling points;

growth sources;

competitor information;

business cycles;

business challenges;

business accomplishments;

network organizations;

publications;

mailing list information;

marketing information;

products to sell;

promotional information;

company-branded positioning; and

customer relationship cultivation information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the Internet application practice comprises:

information to be shared confidentially;

desired website information;

desired technology features;

desired update ability;

repetitive tasks;

desired future user information;

keywords;

desired online advertising; and

desired employment information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the proposal is based on a business analysis comprising use of a consultant guide.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing processing associated with incorporating the proposal into a functional design report comprising:

securing a domain name for the customized website;

securing client approval for website look and feel guidelines;

securing client approval for website functional requirement guidelines;

creating a website plan based on the website look and feel guidelines and the website functional requirement guidelines;

creating at least one page information sheet based on the website plan; and

defining website database guidelines.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein securing client approval for the website look and feel guidelines comprises:

obtaining client examples related to the website'"'"'s desired look and feel;

selecting a project path from a group consisting of;

a custom design allowing design of a custom look and feel; and

a fast-track style allowing selection of a look and feel from predetermined styles; and

entering the client examples and the selected project path into the functional design report.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein securing client approval for the website functional requirement guidelines comprises:

securing desired functional requirements from the client; and

entering the desired functional requirements into the functional design report.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein creating a website plan comprises:

identifying functions of the customized website;

dividing functions into function components;

sequencing the function components and the functions; and

prioritizing the function components and the functions.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein creating at least one page information sheet based on the website plan comprises:

entering page title information;

entering a page description;

entering at least one keyword;

entering page functionality;

entering page text;

entering at least one image cross-reference; and

entering at least one example website.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the definition documents also comprise:

at least one example for the at least one data field.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein building the customized website using the functional design report comprises:

securing client approval for new project guidelines;

securing client approval for pre-production guidelines;

securing client approval for look and feel guidelines;

securing client approval for layout guidelines;

securing client approval for development guidelines;

securing client approval for logo design guidelines;

securing client approval for flash design guidelines; and

securing client approval for changes to the guidelines.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising testing, wherein the testing further comprises:

host testing and client testing.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

performing processing associated with managing the customized website.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein managing the customized website comprises:

applying traditional client management principles;

managing a website server report;

managing website enhancement;

managing return on investment;

managing client surveys; and

managing client referral business.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein building the customized website using the functional design report comprises:

utilizing a remote entity to build the customized website.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote entity comprises an entity in a location where website building services are inexpensive.