This is the stage where we set up the data model. Like a building whose plans are drawn up before it is built, we draw up the structure of the site (the sitemap), the articulation of the blocks and the different components, keeping in mind the user paths.

We help you define the general architecture of your web & mobile project, based on the key strategic points, your resources and the technological solutions available.

What do we put on the different pages of the website? In what order? What is the key information and where should it be found? Are all the user paths identified, realistic and feasible?

These questions are asked at the prototype stage of the various pages. For each page or type of page, you arrange and organise blocks to outline the general structure and links. This will allow you to test the relevance of the hierarchy of pages and information, the necessary or superfluous links, etc.

With the user at the centre of our thinking, we set up the web & mobile ergonomics. We prioritize content elements and user navigation flows on different types of platforms. With our experience in Responsive Web Design, our proposals are adapted to current browsing modes (smartphones, tablets, etc.)

This is the “look & feel”, the appearance of your website.

At this stage, we talk about fonts, logos, icons, colors, animation effects, illustrations, photography, layout grids, but also about the tone of voice to be used in your text content. While respecting your visual identity, Spade works on the web & mobile graphic layout: our designers’ talent is at the service of your project!

Once defined, these elements are gathered in the design system of the website (or the mobile app), the counterpart of the graphic charter. This documentation is available to all stakeholders (departments within the organisation, external technical partner, etc.) and describes all the elements of your online presence: use of typography, button styles, use of forms, tone of voice, rules for publishing on social networks, etc.

NB: the Design System is specific to the project’s digital environment, whereas the graphic charter extends to posters, business cards, goodies, etc., everything that may be closely or remotely linked to the project’s image.

Now, the project moves from idea to reality. Based on the data model defined beforehand, the design system and all the elements produced during the previous stages, the technical team takes over to build the digital platform.

The technical phase involves several key stages – the choice of the CMS (Content Management System) being a determining element in establishing your future web & mobile strategy.
If necessary, our team can also work into other work environments, collaborating with your own technicians.

The backend is done first – creating the skeleton of the site, indicating the links between the information, doing all the technical infrastructure behind the scenes.

Then comes the frontend, which “dresses” the structure with the previously created design.

Once completed, the platform needs to be tested on various points.

Do all the links work well, do all the components display as desired?
Does it look good on the different media (computer, tablet, smartphone, …)?
Is it relevant in terms of content (SEO test)?
Is it accessible?

These are all aspects that must be settled before the launch of the websote, so as not to harm the navigation of future visitors.

The site (or app) is ready, it is time to open it to the public!
The launch phase consists of leaving the working environment (or staging) to switch to a so-called production environment. The site is then hosted on a specific server, it has its own domain name (DNS). This also requires activating a certain number of functionalities such as online payment systems, connection to third-party services, etc.

Your digital project does not stop once online, quite the contrary! In fact, it is the real beginning of its life. Over time, it will have to be able to respond to requests from users who will suggest adding, modifying this or that; the tools will need updating, certain techniques will evolve; new media may appear; you may want to make changes; etc. In short the platform is not set in stone, and all these post-launch tweaks are part of the maintenance. Spade designs websites on a development environment separate from the production space. In other words, it’s an online, up-to-date copy of your site, but not visible to the general public. This hosting in staging allows us to work on your site in complete security, whether it be for a functional or visual modification, with no impact on the production version. We monitor any security alerts and services used by our clients on a daily basis, and quickly apply necessary security patches. Spade can restore your website from daily backups.

Whether it is still a prototype, a staged site or already the official production version, we carry out usability tests on the tool.

These tests guarantee the permanence of a quality user experience throughout the project, so that it is not altered by a last-minute change, for example.