Project Phases:
- Decision / Planning
Graphic Design
Website Development / Coding
Testing
Website Launch
Project Completion
Hosting & Addons
Decision / Planning Phase:
Website Development Quote
If you have not already done so, you will
want to take some time to think about what you wish to accomplish
with your new website. Determine if you will need any special functionality
or interactivity with your visitors; consider the type of design
style which appeals to you and then be sure to let us know.
When you are ready, please request your free,
no-obligation website design quote.
Needs Analysis
Based on the information you provided when
requesting your website design quote, we attempt to determine your
needs, what you are expecting from your website, and try to get
a feel for your industry. This is why it is important for you to
be as detailed as possible when requesting your quote.
We may have questions for you to help clarify
certain issues and we will express those before quoting on your
project.
If we believe that your website development
project could benefit from our services and skills, we will quote
you on your project.
Website Development Contract
Once we have come to an agreement on project
details, timeline and price, we will prepare a website development
contract for you to review, sign and send back with your deposit.
(Contracts are not required for projects under $1,500.00.)
Initial Deposit
The signed contract and 50% deposit is required
before we schedule a time slot for your project. The remainder of
your balance will be due upon project completion. Once we have received
your 50% deposit and signed contract, we will provide you with a
copy of the fully executed contract, a receipt for your deposit
and your project start date. All projects are scheduled on a "first
come, first served" basis.
Domain name registration / Website Hosting
If needed, we will immediately secure your
desired domain name (pending availability) and include the first
2 years of service. The domain is registered in your name with your
information and you will be the only registrant contact on file.
If you require hosting services, we recommend
Solarnet hosting services. Many of our clients host their websites
with Solarnet and they have great server uptime, lots of features
as well as good customer support.
Graphic Design Phase
Project Begins
Upon receipt of your deposit and contract
(if applicable), the developer in charge of your project will email
you to confirm receipt of your deposit/contract, give you their
direct contact information and possibly provide a list of items
which will be needed from you over the course of development.
You will need to let us know the navigation
links you would like (such as home, about us, services, etc) and
supply all text and/or product information to be included on your
site. In addition, you may also supply material such as company
logo, personal photos, etc, if desired.
If you have any guide sites you would like
us to refer to when designing your site or if you have any preference
as to colors, style, etc please offer that information as well.
For E-Commerce sites that require us to enter
products for you, we will need you to supply an Excel spread sheet
listing the following: Product Name, Unique Product ID Number (if
any), Product Description, Options (if any - size, color, etc),
Price, Approximate Weight, Number in Stock, as well as the product
photos named in correspondence with the Product ID Number on the
spread sheet.
Ideally, all of the above information should
be supplied prior to us getting started.
Work will commence on your scheduled start
date. The developer in charge of your project will contact you on
that day to confirm that we are getting started.
Custom Designed Website Concepts
We will provide two possible custom designed
home page concepts for your project. In most cases, we will be able
to provide these designs within 7 business days following your start
date.
After you have reviewed the designs and decided
which one you would like to use, we will continue to make modifications
to the design until the final desired look is achieved. Once the
final desired look is achieved, we will create the interior page
layout, convert the design to the Markup Language of your choice,
add programming, etc.
During this process, you will have the opportunity
to review progress. (See next item.)
In Progress Viewing
We establish a private directory for your
new website on our testing server so that you may view the website
development progress at any time. In addition, your project manager
will inform you via email when extensive updates to the site have
been made so you can review the most recent progress.
Professional Stock Photography
All projects include use of professional
stock photography images from our current library. If a client requires
stock photography which we do not currently possess, an additional
fee may apply.
Website Development / Coding Phase
Programming / Coding
All website development programming/coding
to run any special features/visitor interactivity on your website
is completed and tested.
Website Pages
Based upon your contract and the final design
you selected, we create as many static or dynamic pages as needed
to complete your site.
Website Navigation
Navigation links or drop down menus, and
rollover effects, if desired, are completed.
Site Map
Creation of a site map page is done which
includes easy one-click access to all pages of your site.
Site Content
Incorporation of your logo, photos and text
content is included in all projects. Custom logo design is available
for an additional fee, please inquire if interested.
CSS Stylesheet
CSS Stylesheets are used to define font faces,
styles, sizes and colors for consistency throughout the site.
Website Favicon
A favicon is a small image that displays
in the address bar and on the favorites menu when someone bookmarks
or adds your website to their "Favorites". Creation of
a favicon is included in all custom website development projects.
Response Forms / Email Contact Forms
We always recommend at least one contact
form for your visitor's convenience. Using a contact form, a visitor
can email you directly from your website without needing to open
their email program. This is especially convenient if a visitor
is not using their own computer when their email program is not
available.
Testing Phase
Search Engine Readiness Check
Meta Tags, Page Titles, Page Heading, Alt
Image Tags, Link Text, and Page Body Text evaluation and adjustment
where needed throughout the website. At no time can we guarantee
when or where the search engines will place your website within
their search results or directory.
Browser Compatibility Testing
Your website is tested on a variety of operating
systems and browsers to insure proper display and functionality.
Grammar & Spell Check
Before the website is launched, a grammar
and spell check is performed to insure there are no mistakes.
Dead Link Check
A thorough check for misdirected links and
missing files is performed just prior to as well as after the launch
of the website.
Forms / Programming
Any email contact forms and/or programming
features included in your project are tested to confirm they are
functioning as required.
Launch Phase
Final Payment
Final payment is always due before we take
the website live on your domain. Upon receipt of final payment,
you will be emailed a final/paid in full receipt.
Launch Website
All necessary website files and scripts are
copied to your domain and databases are setup.
Error Testing
After the website is live, any interactive
programming and scripts are tested to verify proper function. Since
the design and testing phase often occurs on a different server,
it is very important to once again verify that everything is working
correctly after taking the website live.
Website Files
After launch and testing of the website,
you are provided with a zipped archive of all website files.
Instructions & Documentation
When necessary, any documentation needed
to use the administration functions of your website is included
in PDF format.
Search Engine Submission
Hand submission and automated search engine
submission occurs after launching, testing and fixing any issues
there may have been.
Completion Phase
Minor Adjustments / Changes
Minor adjustments to the website are included
at no charge for up to two weeks after the website has launched
(maximum of up to 3 hours labor). Minor changes include adding changing
text, adding or changing photos, etc. Any major revision requests
will require additional discussion and possibly incur a fee.
Hosting
We recommend Solarnet hosting services. Many of our clients host
their websites with Solarnet and they have great server uptime,
lots of features as well as good customer support.
Solarnet - Hosting Signup
Hosting Features:
Online File Manager
Email accounts @yourdomain
Web Based Email Interface or POP3 Access
Online Web Stats (invisible hit counter)
Website Backup Utility
Database Management
Coldfusion hosting
Add/remove sub-domains
Custom error pages
FTP Access
Auto responders
Many more features ...
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