The Process: How We Produce Web Sites
Listed below are common steps we take to plan, design, and produce your custom designed web site.
1. The Initial Meeting
These meetings can occur at your place of business or over the phone. The initial meeting usually lasts about an hour and are free and without obligation. We ask that you fill out our Estimate Request Form before an initial consultation. This form helps you to gather the information we need to know to discuss your project.
In this initial meeting, we will answer any questions you might have and find out more about the kind of web site you are planning or considering. The purpose is to provide you with enough information to allow you to decide whether or not you would like to work with NC Web Pros and for us to determine if your project is one we want to take on.
2. Estimate Preparation
If, after the initial consultation, you decide to go forward, we'll proceed to prepare a Proposal/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.
3. Signing of Agreement
NC Web Pros prepares a standard contract including a detailed description of the planned web site and a cost estimate. 1/2 of the total estimated cost is due upon signing of the Agreement.
4. 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. NC Web Pros 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.
5. Final Design of Site Structure and Dynamic Applications
NC Web Pros will finalize detailed plans for the site structure (the way information is arranged and how navigation will work) as well as for any dynamic (database-driven) applications. Work on databases and data-driven pages can often begin during this phase as well.
6. Page Layout Drafts
Next, page layout and visual design begins. The site's Main Page is designed first. NC Web Pros produces a draft based upon the content, needs, and preferences provided, and uploads this site to a private location on the Internet where the client can view it. The client's feedback is solicited, and this feedback used to produce a second draft. Once more, client feedback is used to make another round of changes, and these changes are expected to produce a final draft.
The same process is used for any other page designs required for the site.
At specified benchmarks during the project, NC Web Pros will invoice you for subsequent payments.
7. Database Building and Dynamic Application Coding
NC Web Pros creates 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 NC Web Pros tests the pages on numerous browsers, on different platforms, and at different browser window sizes and resolution settings, correcting any remaining errors.
10. Site Launch
Payment balance is due and payable before the site is uploaded to the server and is "live" on the Internet.
11. Ongoing Maintenance
We are pleased to handle your ongoing maintenance at our regular hourly rate.
