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Even though each custom website will have unique
requirements,
the design process is fairly similar. Some websites may be adjusted accordingly,
but in all the basics will apply.
| 1.) First,
we will discuss your needs for a site either over email, or
the phone. Once we get any idea of what you need and size
requirements, we will send a "Description of
Work" document in either a pdf, or MS word format.
We will need your contact information such as business name,
address, phone, domain requested etc. This document simply
spells out what pages, size, price and other information involving
the building of your site. At the bottom is a place to
confirm you have read our Terms
Of Service, and also address deposit and payment
options. You can send back this document either by fax,
scanned Email or snail mail. |
2.) Once we
have the Description of Work
and non-refundable deposit
( normally half down ) in hand, we are ready to go! Why do
we ask for a deposit? Most of it goes toward purchase and
setup of your hosting account, the rest is a good faith
start to all the work we will do for you! |
3.) The
"Getting
Started" Document, if we have not send this to
you already, you can download a sample above. Now it is
important to note that this document is a "helper"
in gathering information and materials, for your website, it
can be a little "overkill" if something does not
apply, just leave it!
What are Materials? Materials are simply the files
and images we need to create your website, just as a builder
needs nails, lumber, etc to build a house, so we need your
materials to build your site. Materials can simply be your
photos, logos, text, and basic order or layout of site. Why
do we ask for them in advance. We get this question allot,
but in order to start your website design we require ALL if
not most of your materials, why? The design part of your
site is the most important, we assemble your materials,
research, and start the design based on all these items.
Materials added after the design process is started can dramatically
change the design can incur extra charges. |
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What's in the Getting Started
Document?
| a.) First it
covers how, what where, we need your files and materials,
and how best to get them to us! |
| b.) Company
information need to get your account going and make
sure your domain name is correctly registered. |
| c.) Comparisons,
we will ask you to list sites that you like and
don't like and why. This gets us on the same
"page". |
| d.) Colors, we
will ask for some color choices, please keep in mind
that now a days we have billions to chose from!
Narrowing down the tones will happen when we see
your materials! |
| c.) Basic
Business information, to best research your business
we will ask some information about your industry or
farm. |
| d.) Domains
transfers or existing hosting account information,
if you already have an account or domain we will
need access to it! |
| e.) Keywords,
we do what is called natural search engine optimization
meaning we build into your site keywords, but so not
to "Spam" only send us pertinent ones to
your industry! |
| f.) Text, we
request all text to be sent in electronic format,
hand written pages are fine as along as print is clearly
written and easy to view. Handwritten pages could incur
an extra typing charge. Typed documents are Ok, as
long as no notes or handwritten areas are visible, (
we scan with OCR and input into a document. ) |
| e.) Sending to
us! you can either send materials to us, via postal
mail, fed-ex, or other what is know as Snail mail
services. Or you can send via email or use your
Client area. Please note if you send via email,
spread it out over several email , and make sure
items are well labeled! |
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| 4.) We will
set up a Client Journal, to track all our correspondence,
offer a place to archive notes, and provide a place to
upload materials. |
| 5.) We may
also create a "Coming Soon" on your website. At
this point we will have your domain registered, and a
hosting account set up for this domain. This depends on the
what the Description of Work document spelled out,
whether we are hosting your website, most common scenario or
using an existing account. |
| 6.) Logo,
If you do not have a logo and wish us to design a new one
this is where we will work on it. Normally we will put
together "about" 10 samples, from these we can
refine the final draft. Rarely does this go past 20 samples,
if at this stage we have not worked out the right draft, we
will recommend getting your logo done by an outside party.
After logo is designed we are ready to start design! |
| 7.) The
Design itself, once we have all your materials in hand, we
will research, and then start a rough draft based on all the
information we have received from you, please be patient
during this period, as we are working hard to create a unique
design, that will be just what you need! This may take 1-2
weeks, but be assured that this patience will pay off for
you. |
| 8.) Once we
have a rough draft ready we will show it as a sample and
remind you that is it a rough draft. At this point we are
looking for input from you as to colors, basic graphic etc.
We may "fill" in the text areas with filler text
that really does not say anything! In case you are wondering
it is Latin! |
| 9.) Once
the draft is approved by you the customer we will get
started on the rest of the pages, using the approved draft
we will create a template with which to create all the pages
of your site! This process can also take a few days! |
| 10.) Once
we have most of the site done, we will post to a temporary
location, for you to proof carefully, look for spelling
errors, change out any photos etc. Please note we will wait
to apply your edits until you have had time to proof the
site carefully. Please take your time, maybe even print out
the pages, ( Please note: websites do not all print out the
same, this does not reflect on the viewabilty of your site
on the web! If major reworking is requested, or edits
applied continuously this may incur extra changes and at
that point we will send you an estimated costs. |
| 11.) When
we have applied all the edits from your proofing we will
then post to your hosting account, test any submit forms, apply
final SEO, and finally submit to DMOZ, ( A major portal for
major search engines). |
| 12.) Your
site is done! At this point the balance of site quote is
due, plus any extra fees that make have incurred. |
| 13.) Feedback,
we would love any feedback at the end of this process to let
us know how well it worked for you! |
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