How We Approach Web Development
Ideas On Purpose is a digital agency driven by strategy, information architecture, visual design, and user experience. We are “back-end agnostic,” and flexible when it comes to what’s “under the hood.” At a project’s outset, we engage in conversations about the best development approach and are your partner throughout the process, no matter what direction is chosen.
So, how do we get our projects to the finish line? We have three primary models.
1. We build it ourselves.
We don’t only focus on the “front end”—we are also build, host and maintain sites. Some projects (campaigns, reports, microsites) are built without a CMS and are updated by us or occasionally through GitHub (for those with some savvy). We also develop WordPress sites, which require additional upfront work but can be edited more easily once completed. We came to this decision years ago, you can read more about why WordPress here. When we do use WordPress, we don’t merely populate existing “off-the-shelf” themes—we build robust custom sites to fit the unique needs of our clients.
2. We have great development partners.
We have many tried and true technology partners who work in various CMS platforms. We work with clients to assess the right fit for them, rather than “sell” them only what we have to offer. We keep the user experience in mind, and look at client needs and maintenance abilities to determine the best approach together. In this way, you also get the benefit of a best-in-class partner at all phases of the project, especially at larger scale. We are happy to make recommendations and even manage the entire process if that’s what’s right for you.
3. We work with your team.
Whether you have an established relationship or an inhouse group, we are happy to collaborate. We create a build package with everything a development team needs to get started—the site assets or front end code, documentation including behaviors documents, and then partner with your team (internal or external) all the way through. We participate in “visual QA” to make sure the build matches expectations and are involved along the way to help solve the unexpected issues that always come up.
Ideas On Purpose can help
Contemplating a website upgrade? Consider engaging an expert. We are flexible and eager to find the right solution for you, not the one we have lying around. Through the years we’ve worked many ways: if you’re curious just ask. Insight-backed digital communication is integral to the what we do. Check out some of the stakeholder-pleasing websites, sustainability reports and branded impact communications IOP has created—and email us to get in touch if you need help with yours.