Our Design Process

1. The Initial Consultation
   These meetings can take place on the phone or in person and usually take about a half hour. They are free and without obligation. An initial meeting is an exchange of information. We'll answer any questions you have, and find out more about what kind of web site you are planning or considering. The purpose is to provide you with enough information to allow you to decide whether you would like to work with our company, and to provide us with enough information to discern whether your project is an appropriate one for our company.

   We reserve the right to choose projects which fall within our areas of strength and to choose whether or not we can accept new projects at a particular time. We do not take on any adult-oriented websites or any website that we feel unappropriate. We reserve the right to make that decision and to refuse any project.

2. Questionnaire
   We will email you a questionnaire (or you can download it) that will help you think through your web site and give us a better understanding of your web site needs.

3. Quote
   After receiving your completed questionnaire, we'll proceed to prepare a Quote/Estimate. Sometimes further communication by phone, email, or in person is necessary to clarify the scope and nature of the work to be done. When we have adequate information, we will then write a set of specifications for your web site with a cost estimate.

4. Agreement
   We will prepare a standard contract including a detailed description of the planned web site and a cost estimate. 1/3 of the total estimated cost is due upon signing of the Agreement and before we begin the design process.

5. Content Gathering
   Graphic content must be gathered before most work can begin on the site, and text content before the site can actually be built. We will assist you in pulling together the text, logo, graphics, and photographs needed for the site, but it's important to be aware that a web site project does require work on your part. You know your business better than we know your business and your input is very important to the design process. We do not write copy and depend on you for that information.

6. Page Layout Drafts
   Next, page layout and visual design begins. The site's basic design templates are designed first. We will produce a design based upon the content, needs, and preferences provided, and will upload this site to a private location on the Internet where you can view it. Your feedback is requested, and this feedback is used to make corrections or additions. Once more, your feedback is used to make another round of changes, and these changes are expected to produce a final draft. At specified benchmarks during the project, we will invoice you for subsequent payments.

7. Database Building and Dynamic Application Coding
   We will create any databases needed as well as the code for all dynamic pages. These applications are tested thoroughly.

8. Coding of Actual Pages
   The approved page designs are now used as templates. Text and graphic content is "plugged in" and adjusted for a perfect layout. Dynamic page code is added to page templates.

9. Final Site Testing
   The site is thoroughly tested. You'll have another chance to review it for any minor changes or corrections, and we will test the pages on numerous browsers, on different platforms, and at different browser window sizes and resolution settings, correcting any remaining errors. We will make every attempt to proof the final pages and run a spell check on those pages. However, YOU are ultimately responsible for proofing your own pages and requesting any corrections in writing. Correction requests can be made either by fax or email.

10. Site Launch
    Payment balance is due and payable at the time when site is uploaded to the server and is "live".

11. Ongoing Maintenance
    We are pleased to handle your ongoing maintenance at our regular hourly rate.