What is included in custom "Web site Development?"

Many clients have asked us how the process actually works and what happens throughout the web site development. This page explains the process from start to finish and gives you an idea of what you could expect when working with us. This is just a guideline, your development project may have needs that are not addressed here.

Project Phases

• Decision / Planning
• Graphic Design
• Web site Development / Coding
• Testing
• Web site Launch
• Project Completion
• Optional Addon's
• Search Engine Optimization

Web site 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 web site. 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 web site design quote.

Needs Analysis

Based on the information you provided when requesting your web site design quote, we attempt to determine your needs, what you are expecting from your web site, 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 web site development project could benefit from our services and skills, we will quote you on your project.

Web site Development Contract

Once we have come to an agreement on project details, timeline and price, we will prepare a web site development contract for you to review, sign and send back with your deposit. (Contracts are not required for projects under $1,500.00.) Any project quoted at or under $500.00 will require a payment in full prior to work starting.

Initial Deposit

The signed contract and 70% deposit of the billable hours are 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 70% 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 / Web site Hosting

If needed, we will immediately secure your desired domain name (pending availability) and include the first year 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 Net-N-Stuff hosting services. Many of our clients host their web sites with Net-N-Stuff and they have great server uptime, lots of features as well as good customer support.

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 Web site Concepts

We will provide two possible custom designed home page concepts for your project. In most cases, we will be able to provide the first design within 5-7 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 HTML, 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 web site on our testing server so that you may view the web site 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.

Programming / Coding

All web site development programming/coding to run any special features/visitor interactivity on your web site is completed and tested.

Web site 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.

Web site 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 Style sheet

CSS Style sheets are used to define font faces, styles, sizes and colors for consistency throughout the site.

Web site Favicon

A favicon is a small image that displays in the address bar and on the favorites menu when someone bookmarks or adds your web site to their "Favorites". Creation of a favicon is included in all custom web site 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 web site 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.

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 web site At no time can we guarantee when or where the search engines will place your web site within their search results or directory.

Browser Compatibility Testing

Your web site is tested on a variety of operating systems and browsers to insure proper display and functionality.

Grammar & Spell Check

Before the web site 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 web site

Forms / Programming

Any email contact forms and/or programming features included in your project are tested to confirm they are functioning as required.

Final Payment

Final payment is always due before we take the web site live on your domain. Upon receipt of final payment, you will be emailed a final/paid in full receipt.

Launch Web site

All necessary web site files and scripts are copied to your domain and databases are setup.

Error Testing

After the web site 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 web site live.

Web site Files

After launch and testing of the web site, you are provided with a zipped archive of all web site files.

Instructions & Documentation

When necessary, any documentation needed to use the administration functions of your web site 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.

Minor Adjustments / Changes

Minor adjustments to the web site are included at no charge for up to two weeks after the web site 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.

• E-Commerce Store
• Flash Effects & Animation
• Secure Forms with Database Backend (SSL Encryption)
• Website Editing (CMS)
• Site Search
• News/Article Posting
• Photo Gallery
• Guestbook
• Community Forum
• Events Calendar
• And more!
  

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Maximize marketing ROI with top ranking on popular search engines. *Our service includes:

An analysis of your present web site page rank and search engine inclusion.
Comprehensive market research and selection of key words that produce the greatest volume of searches for your specific products and services.
Continuous optimization of your web site to increase its search results ranking on top search engines, such as Google and Yahoo!

*Some SEO Services will require additional billing.

Optional Addons pricing will vary. To obtain pricing, please inquire about the specific addon you wish to include. Optional Addons may be limited by what programming languages your host supports. If you intend to host with us, all addons would be available to you, if desired, for an additional fee.

Get started today! Fill out our Website Design Quote