at the end of the day: graphics or text?

prioritizing the components of a site.

[papercut]

when you've built a site for a client and you essentially "turn the keys over" how would you say you've spent your time:

rate by percentage (0-100%) per item. your total should add up to 100% only please.

• graphics. creating a visually stimulating site with cutting edge imagry.
  
• text. while my clients may write the bulk of their text, i make sure that its relevant and matches the site name and topic so it wont be a waste of money to my clients.
  
• coding. i focus on making sure the internal workings, or coding of my sites are clean, short as possible, cross browser compatible and are represent the most recent knowledge of programming available.
  
• search engine. i make sure that every site has a fighting chance in the competitive world of search engines so that consumers can find my client's site. its just as important as anything else.
  
• usability. no matter whether you are a novice or a vet at surfing, i want anyone to be able to use my sites easily and quickly. i work with clients to decrease the number of options on the navigation menu, focus on the real point of the site and labelling pertinent objects for the disabled and newbies
  
• broadband width.
  
• branding. helping clients creating online presence through careful marketing strategy, meta tags, choosing the right logos and building an "air" of expertise.

[tedster]

Our first step is not on your list - Information Architecture. And the bigger the site, the more development time goes into that essential foundation. Another time user is admin and client communication of all types.

5% branding
5% bandwidth concerns
5% admin & client communications
10% graphics
10% coding
15% usability
15% text - copy and formatting
15% information architecture
20% search engines

Also, it's a rare contract where we ever finally "turn over the keys." Seems we're always involved in the ongoing development of our client's sites (unless we fire them!)

[tedster]

On a second look, you put a lot into branding that I wasn't considering as part of that category. Keyword research and market targeting are a huge part of the early stage and constantly get tweaked throughout the lifetime of a site.

[vbull]

I find I usually spend pretty equal time on:

* project management/admin/client relationship

* definition (task analysis, user research, information architecture, documentation of requirements)

* development (coding graphics etc etc)

* promotion, search engines, set maintenance processes in place etc

[papercut]

is there a such thing as a single item that can make or break a site? (its not a loaded question..lol)