System and method for providing website business solutions to clients via the internet

• US 20030028419A1
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1175856 Ontario Limited
• Original Assignee: 1175856 Ontario Limited
• Inventors: Monaghan, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,115,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• 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

A system and method for delivering specialized business solutions is provided that includes six phases. The first phase is the business analysis phase during which an Internet consultant (IC) and/or host establishes rapport with a prospective client and creates an Internet business strategy. The second phase is the functional design phase during which the IC gathers the client'"'"'s information to create a network website. The third phase is the building phase of the website during which coding and database integration for the website are produced in accordance with the functional design phase. The fourth phase is the testing phase during which the functional requirements of the website are tested. The fifth phase is the launching phase which places the website live on a server and registers the website. The sixth phase is the managing phase during which the IC and client meet at regular intervals to review website issues.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for developing customized website business solutions, comprising:

creating a business proposal based on a business analysis;

incorporating the business analysis into a functional design report; and

building a website using the functional design report.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein creating a business proposal based on a business analysis includes:

obtaining information related to a client'"'"'s Internet familiarity;

obtaining information related to a client'"'"'s at least one business practice; and

obtaining information related to 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 is at least one selected from a group consisting of:

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 is at least one selected from a group consisting of:

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 creating a business proposal based on a business analysis comprises use of a consultant guide.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

conducting client research and analysis.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein conducting client research and analysis comprises:

conducting client research;

conducting market research;

conducting Internet research; and

documenting the client, market, and Internet research.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein incorporating the business analysis into a functional design report comprises:

securing a domain name for the 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.

9. The method of claim 8, 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 fastrack 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.

10. The method of claim 8, 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.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein creating a website plan comprises:

identifying functions of the website;

dividing functions into function components;

sequencing the function components and the functions; and

prioritizing the function components and the functions.

12. The method of claim 8, 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.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein defining website database data elements comprises:

identifying at least one function,

identifying at least one data field for the at least one function;

logically grouping the at least one data field;

providing at least one example for the at least one data field;

identifying at least one function of the at least one data field; and

preparing a database definition document using the at least one data field, the at least one example, and the at least one identified function.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein building a 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; and

securing client approval for development guidelines.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising at least one from a group 5 consisting of:

securing client approval for logo design guidelines;

securing client approval for flash design guidelines; and

securing client approval for changes to the guidelines.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

testing the website.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein testing the website comprises:

host testing; and

client testing.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

launching the website.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein launching the website comprises:

reviewing connectivity of client systems;

activating the website;

populating the website with production data;

registering the website with search engines;

training the client about the website; and

review marketing related to the website.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising;

managing the website.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein managing the 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.

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

utilizing a remote entity to build the website.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the remote entity comprises an entity in a location where website building services are inexpensive.

24. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to develop customized website business solutions, comprising:

first computer readable program code means for creating a business proposal based on a business analysis;

second computer readable program code means for incorporating the business analysis into a functional design report; and

third computer readable program code means for building the website using the functional design report.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, further comprising:

fourth computer readable program code means for testing the website.

26. The computer program product of claim 24, further comprising:

fifth computer readable program code means for launching the website.

27. The computer program product of claim 24, further comprising:

sixth computer readable program code means for managing the website.

28. A computer-implemented system for developing a customized business solution website, comprising:

a network;

at least one terminal coupled to the network; and

at least one server coupled to the network;

wherein a business proposal is created based on a business analysis;

wherein the business analysis is incorporated into a functional design report; and

wherein a website is built using the functional design report.

29. A computer-implemented system for developing a customized business solution website, comprising:

means for creating a business proposal based on a business analysis;

means for incorporating the business analysis into a functional design report; and

means for building a website using the functional design report.