I have a new website I want created and I want to get a handle on all of the necessary steps to get it all together. Assume I have the graphical look of a website designed via a design contest here on digital point. Once I choose a winning design what are the next steps to turn it into a working site? I've seen mentioned the importance of received the .PSD file so that it can be sliced and coded. I think I understand the coding of the site, what does "slicing" refer to? Is there anything particular about the format of the .PSD file that I should request or is asking for just a .PSD file enough? Once I have the .PSD file coded am I ready to upload it to my webhost and away I go? Or are there other steps I'm missing?
generally there are 2 phases. 1. web design 2. web development web development can entail numerous of things...such as forms that you may want or any other features for the site ie. newsletter sign up etc. .psd files are important but not entirely neccessary so as long as you have the logo. whether if you have a .jpg or .psd file of the design, you're eventually going to have to cut it up. i cut it up manually. let's say your domain is www.test.com. if you want you can throw these pages, once it's all cut up and implemented into html into a folder that you'll create called 'testing'. This way whatever you throw in there it won't be viewable for anyone going to your domain directly. rather, you can view your pages before moving it into the main root as www.test.com/testing/index.html. once everything looks peachy online, remove all those files inside the testing folder and into the main root and you'll have your site up. one thing i caught over the years as most developers now know or should know is...if you build a site it may look different or broken in IE as opposed to FF. Or sometimes the other way around. Solution for this is to create a 1pix transparent gif and establish either height or width in empty rows or columns. this way nothing's empty and each row or column is fixed. hope this info helps
There are 2 options: 1.) as you stated above, make a contest: indicate your requirements or project scope (design directions, functionalities, etc.). The design that suits your requirements win (considering the rate of the developer). 2.) post your project requirements and accept applications/bids/resumes: review developer resumes, portfolios and rates. Again, the developer that suites your requirements win. For security/assurance: If the deal closes, make an agreement or contract stating the conditions, term, payments, confidentiality and the ownership of the materials used (.psd, html, etc). Hope that helps you... Cheers!