Getting
Your Own Website
You already passed first
base - you have become aware of the need. Perhaps you saw the www. names
and the @ email addresses and wondered what they are all about, or you
have been speaking with colleagues or competitors who have Websites, or
read an article about how the web is going to change both society and
business.
Either way, you want to find out more about getting your business or
organisation on the Internet. OK, This is how we do it.
Forming initial ideas
Checking the details
The draft Project Agreement
Registering your domain name
The final stages
Post-sales support
Future developments
Forming
Initial Ideas
One of the first issues you
will need to consider, is what you want to achieve with your website,
and whether you want to be able to sell directly from your web page and
take money in real-time.
If you do, then see our section on e-commerce for more details about
selling direct and taking money over the net.
Our Website Design Checklist raises a number of issues that you will
want to consider, like what you want the website to do for you, how big
you expect it to be, and so on.
You will probably want to talk to your friends or colleagues about
it. You might even want to check some points with us by phone or email,
perhaps to get an idea how long it would take, and when we could start.
Having assembled your initial thoughts, you will be able to complete
the Website Design Checklist, then send it back to us.
Remember, there is absolutely no commitment to engage us at this
stage.
Checking
The Details
When we receive your
completed Checklist, we will then arrange to discuss your site with you.
Depending on your location, this can be in person, by phone, or by
email.
This is where we go through your decisions and preferences from the
Website Design Checklist, agree the number of pages, how they link to
each other, and so on.
We also make sure that we both understand what you want from your
site, and decide some of the more technical matters - like checking what
domain names are available; the initial site layout; and what the best
file structure will be for the future.
The
Draft Project Agreement
At the end of this process
we will be able to prepare a written project plan setting out all the
points we have agreed, and advising you of the likely the cost of the
work. Two copies of this will be sent to you, and if you want us to
undertake the design, you are asked to sign and return them.
You will be asked to enclose a cheque/cash for 50% of the total
project cost at this stage, and to begin to send us the text you want to
use on each page, or at least a draft what you want to say, (preferably
on a CD), together with any other materials that you want included
(photographs etc.).
We will sign and return your copy of the agreement. Returning the
signed project agreement and part payment to us signifies your decision
to engage us, and when you receive your copy, the agreement forms the
contract between us.
Registering Your Domain Name
The next stages are:
Now we can begin work to build your website according to the Project
Agreement.
When we have something prepared, you will be able to view the draft
on screen. At this stage, we can incorporate minor design changes to
suit your preference.
You can also begin to plan changes to existing stationery
(letterheads, invoices, brochures etc.) to include your new email and
www addresses
The
Final Stages
In the final stages, your
Website construction becomes completed, and is tested off-line. Then we
upload the pages to your service provider/website host & test all the
links to full working order.
You approve the final site, and provide the final payment
Post
Sales Support
We troubleshoot any
problems via telephone or email support for the next three months, and
will check with you from time to time to see that everything is just as
you would wish it.
During this time, any minor changes to your site, (perhaps a change
of someone's name, or phone number etc.) will be made without additional
charge.
New pages, or more significant alterations will be charged at the
rate shown on the current price list.
Future
Developments
We are of course, always
available to extend, or further develop the site, or to provide other
services in the future.
Our aim is to exceed your expectations, and encourage you to suggest
us to your colleagues and friends when they are considering having a
website made.
