When we work together, we want to make sure that you get a website that fulfills your vision and meets your needs. To that end, we will work closely with you through all phases of site development, launching, and testing.
We specialize in WordPress installations and customizations. WordPress is an open-source application that was originally conceived as a blogging platform, but has been so extensively developed that it is frequently used for ‘static’ sites, as well as for personal, professional, business, and corporate blogs.
Given your design criteria, we will suggest several themes that we believe will meet your website goals. We’d also be happy to utilize any theme that you provide to us, pending software compatibility.
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The site development process is divided into the following six phases:
1. Planning
2. Graphic Design
3. Content Development
4. Testing
5. Launch
6. Completion
Let’s elaborate a bit on each phase.
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1. Planning:
Needs Analysis:
Consider what it is you want to accomplish with your website. Determine what type of information you want to have on your website, what level of interactivity you would like to have with your web visitors, any special functionality that you wish to incorporate, and what type of design style you have in mind. Please provide as many details as possible.
Based upon the information you provide, we may have questions to ask you that will help further clarify what your web design needs are.
Site Development Contract:
Once we have come to an agreement on project details, timeline and price, we will prepare a contract for you to review and return to us with your deposit.
Initial Deposit:
Once we have your signed contract and 50% deposit in hand, we will provide you with a receipt for your deposit and schedule the starting date for your project. The balance is due upon project completion.
Domain Name Registration and Website Hosting:
If a domain name is needed, we will register it for you (if available) and include the cost of registration for the first two years. 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 one of the following:
a. HostGator
b. HostMonster
c. BlueHost
All three companies provide an excellent feature set, server reliability, and customer service.
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2. Graphic Design
Start of Project: When we receive your deposit and contract, we will contact you with a start date and may also request a list of items which will be needed from you during the project.
You will need to provide us with the navigation links you would like (such as home, about us, services, etc.) and supply all text and other information (contact info, events, etc.) to be included on your site. This would also be the time to supply any additional material such as company logo, personal photos, etc, if desired.
If you have any preferred sites you would like us to reference when designing your site or if you have any preference as to colors, style, and so forth, please provide that information as well.
Ideally, all of the above information should be supplied to us in advance of our beginning work on your site.
Site Design Concepts:
We will provide up to three possible home page template ideas for your project. If you have a template you would like us to use, please provide it to us in zipped file format at this time.
After you have reviewed the template designs and have decided which one you would like to use, we will make modifications to the layout until the final desired look is achieved. Once the final desired look is achieved, we will create the interior page layout, add other desired functionality, etc. During this process, you will have the opportunity to review progress and to provide the feedback needed to ensure that the desired look is achieved.
Website Viewing:
Since your site will be dynamically developed on the server of the web host you have selected, you may view the website development progress at any time. In addition, we will inform you via email when extensive updates to the site have been made so you can review the most recent progress.
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3. Content Development
This phase involves the development and organization of the content on your site, including:
Coding and Integration:
Any special features or add-ons that you desire will be incorporated.
Website Pages:
Based upon the design criteria that you specified, we’ll create all the pages that you want on your site.
Website Navigation:
Navigation links and/or drop down menus will be completed.
Site Map:
We will create a site map page which will include easy one-click access to a list of all pages of your site.
Site Content:
Incorporation of your logo, photos, and text content is included in all projects.
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, using an image you provide or a design you suggest.
Contact Form / Visitor Feedback Form:
We recommend you include at least one contact form for your visitor’s convenience. You may also want to solicit feedback or field questions from your visitors. We will customize the forms you desire according to your needs.
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4. Testing
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 list your website within their search results or directory.
Browser Compatibility Testing:
Your website will be tested on a variety of operating systems and browsers to insure proper display and functionality.
Grammar & Spell Check:
Before the website is completed and officially launched, a grammar and spell check is performed to insure that your site is error-free.
Dead Link Check:
Both before and after the official launch of your website, a thorough check for any missing files and misdirected or dead links is performed.
Forms / Special Features:
Any email contact forms and/or special features included in your project are tested to confirm they are functioning properly.
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5. Launch
Final Payment:
Final payment is due before the website is delivered to you on your domain. Upon receipt of final payment, you will be emailed a final receipt for your completed payment.
Launch Website:
Upon official launch of your website, administrative access to your website is turned over to you.
Error Testing:
Upon official launch of your site, we once again verify that all links, scripts, forms, and special functions are working correctly.
Instructions & Documentation:
When necessary, any documentation needed to use the administration functions of your website is included in Word or PDF format.
Search Engine Submission:
Hand submission and automated search engine submission occurs the after testing, error resolution, and launching phase of your website is complete.
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6. Completion
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.
Post Launch:
We consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to work with you in planning, designing, and launching your website. Once your site is active, we are still committed to working with you on problems that arise or site revisions that you’d like to undertake.
Following the launch of any site that we develop for you, you will receive a 15% discount off of our hourly rates for any new services related to that site. So when you want additional training, or revisions to your site, or need help with a site-related problem, we’ll be right there with you whenever the need arises.
Any questions or comments? We’re always just an email away! Contact us here.