Web Site Development Process

Below is an outline of the four stages my clients and I go through during the course of a web site development project. Although it may look complicated at first glance, it really isn't. And I do guide my clients through the process - sending prompts and answering questions.

Stage 1 - Consultation and Planning:

Please spend some time browsing this web site. There is a wealth of information here and you will probably find answers to most of your questions.
Contact me if you have any questions to which you cannot find answers (on this web site). The best way to contact me is via email.
Select the package that best suits your web site requirements. Many clients find it helpful to use our Package Picker. And of course I will be glad to assist.
Please note that each package has a specific time allotted for completion of the project (see timeline below). If you cannot set aside sufficient time now to take care of the client's share of tasks (read through this page for an explanation of what these are), please wait until another, less busy, time before starting the project.
Notify me of the package you have chosen and I will send an invoice for a down payment.
Once your down payment is received, I will begin working on your project. Details on the payment schedule.

More info...

The answers to the following will determine the design package that best fits your needs:

Do you want a custom design, or do you prefer to use a design template? For more information, please see the Designs page
How many pages do you estimate you'll want on your site?
Tip - A good way to go about deriving the answer to this question is:
- Determine the categories of content you want on the site and put this in outline form. Remember that multiple topic-specific pages are preferable to long scrolling pages.
- Count the number of items in your outline - that will be an indication of the number of pages on your site.
About how many photos would you like on your site?
What special features would you like on the web site?
- Flash components such as a flash intro or a flash photo collage (take a look at the Flash examples in the ("add-ons" section)
- An email form (example)

Note: It IS possible to start out thinking you want one package and then along the way realize that you actually need/want more pages or more features. If that happens, we will discuss it and I will adjust the price at the end of the project.

Stage 2 - Design:

Template package: If you chose a pre-existing template, I will tailor it to your specifications (to the extent possible for that template).
Custom package: If you chose a package with a custom design, we will collaborate on design concepts for your site and I will put together one or more design prototypes for your approval*. During this phase, your active participation is critical. I am not psychic - so if you do not give me detailed information about what you are looking for, there is a chance that you won't be happy with the design that I produce.
* Please reference our Packages page to see how many design prototypes are included in your package.

If you are still not happy after a third design has been presented, I will refund all but $75 of your down payment and cancel the project.

Once a design is agreed upon, I will put a lot of time and effort into the behind-the-scenes structures that support that particular design. Therefore, please be sure that you are satisfied with the design before you give the "thumbs up".

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Template Design Package Clients:
1. If you've selected a 3rd party template, you will need to send it to me.
2. Most templates can be customized (to varying degrees), so I will need to find out your preferences in regard to -
  1. Text color
  2. Text style
  3. Background color
  4. Other design elements which can be customized within the template
3. I will notify you when I have completed a sample page. You should review it and communicate any changes you wish made (within the realm of a template site).
Custom Design Package Clients:
1. Look at a variety of web sites and choose up to 3 that you'd like me to use as a reference. In other words, they contain elements that you're looking. Please be specific about the desirable elements. Do not just say "do a web site like Pouch Cove" (for example).
2. Let me know if you wish to incorporate an existing logo or photo in the design.
3. Communicate your preferences in regard to:
  1. Style of the design (photo realistic, stylized, etc.)
    Please be specific - the more information you can give me the greater the chance is that I will create a design that fits your vision.
  2. Theme (nautical, southwestern, whimsical, etc.)
  3. Colors used in the design
  4. Text color & style
4. I will notify you when I have completed the design prototype(s). You should review the design and communicate the specifics of what you like or do not like. Please be honest and specific, and as prompt as possible.

Stage 3 - Development:

Below are the time allocations for the different packages:

Package	Maximum Project Length ¹
Nickel	2 months
Bronze	3 months
Silver	3 months ²
Gold	4 months ²
Platinum	Varies ³

¹Project time frame will be extended (on a case by case basis) only under one of the following conditions:

Illness or injury (yours or mine) that prevents working on the project
Family Emergency (yours or mine) that prevents working on the project
Previously planned vacation (yours or mine) - please discuss with me prior to beginning the project

² If more than one design prototype is requested, a week will be added to the project for each additional design.
³ The maximum project time for Platinum packages will depend upon project scope. This will be determined at the start of the project.

Please keep in mind that I budget my time based upon the levels of packages that I am working on. At the end of the specified time period, I will consider the project complete, even if it is not, and send a final invoice. If a client completes their share of the web site development tasks in a timely manner, there should be no problem meeting the project timeline.

All designs and web pages will be placed in an area of my "test server" for your review. It can be password protected if you wish (you will of course be given an id and password). This space is where you'll go to review design choices and the pages of your site as they're developed.

As the project proceeds, you should review the web pages and notify me of any necessary revisions and/or additions. Please note that however the web site looks in test is how it will look in production (in your web space). You are responsible for notifying me of necessary changes/corrections while the pages are being developed. Once the site "goes live" I will make only minor adjustments.

More info...

Things you need to do at this stage:

If you haven't already done so, register a domain name & establish an account with a hosting service. If you are interested in hosting with Lakecrew, let me know.
Begin writing the content for the items in your outline. All content must be in electronic format. I encourage clients to send content to me incrementally.
Acceptable formats: MS Word, MS Excel, .rtf file, email
Gather &send special materials that you would like to incorporate into your web site, including:
- Graphics
  Acceptable formats: .jpg, .gif, .pdf, .tif
- Digital photos
  Important:
  - Before sending any photos, please document the title and/or subject for each using Windows Live Photo Gallery or Windows Explorer.
  - When you send a photo(s), please indicate which web page the photo(s) is to be placed on.
  Ways to send:
  - Email attachments (zipped if necessary).
  - Copied to CD that you send via USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.
  Do NOT embed (paste) photos within email or Word document.
  Acceptable formats: .jpg, .pdf, .tif (NO .bmp)
  Resolution: At least 300 dpi
- Textual copy (such as magazine articles or pedigrees)
If you need your material scanned, I can do that for an additional fee (please see Additional Services Available).
Review web pages as they are developed and advise me of things which need to be changed on them. Please do this on a regular basis!!!

Stage 4 - Implementation:

A project will be considered complete when a) you indicate that you are ready for the site to "go live" or b) the time allocated for the package you chose has expired - whichever comes first.

If completion falls under the first category above, you will have an opportunity for a final "walk-through" of your site. This is your last chance to catch errors and/or request final touches to your site before it "goes live". Please note that what you see in "test" is what you will get in "production" unless you ask for changes at this point. Once a site goes live, there should be no further changes necessary.

When the project is complete, I will email you a final detailed invoice for the project. It will include any additional work that was added onto the base package. Upon receiving your final payment, I will move all site components to your domain's server and it will be "live".

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