5 Steps to a Live Site!

STEP 1: Initial Consultation

The structure to any website is vital to the success of that site. Just as a business owner had a "business plan", so you must have a "website plan". Your site plan will act as a blueprint for creating all the necessary elements - from the graphics, to the menu items, to the written content, and even seemingly small details like how your contact information is displayed.

On our first meeting we will discuss the goals of your site, timeline to completion, current content, and general look and feel of the site. Following, are a few questions to ask of yourself that will help you prepare for our first meeting:

who is my target audience?
what is important to them?
am I selling something, and if so, is it a product, a concept, a service, etc?
do I fully understand the message I'm conveying and do I have first-hand experience? (that doesn't mean YOU have to be an expert)
what action do I ultimately want the visitor to take?
how will the visitor benefit from using/visiting my site?
what similar sites to mine are already out there and what makes me different?
what is the name of my site?

Based on information I've gathered during the initial consultation I will begin putting together an outline of your site's content with it's corresponding components. I'll create a customized layout of how your content will be displayed and used as well as recommend additional site enhancing features.

STEP 2: Presentation and Proposal

During our second meeting we will discuss several things:

The layout and outline and collaborate on what should be added, deleted, edited, etc. A web site is often dynamic in nature, meaning it is constantly evolving and improving. While planning is required, so is flexibility and CMS makes it easy.
We will review a list of items needed to at least get the ball rolling.
Site name (DNS) and hosting company; while these don't have to be decided upon immediately, we will explore possiblities
We will also go over pricing and estimated time to completion.

Upon agreement to commence your project, a non-refundable 25% deposit is required. Sites by K-Design are often a collaborative effort and the initial deposit aids in getting your project off to a running start.

STEP 3: Development Phase

Now the fun begins! Since we've already agreed upon a basic layout of your content, your site is already about 1/3 of the way completed. The rest of the pieces will be put in place as the layout depicts (remember the blueprint idea?). While your site is being created, you will be given a temporary internet link to log on to at any time to see your site's progress. As more content is needed, you will be contacted via email. It is crucial that content needed be provided within 24 hours to avoid delays with your project.

STEP 4: Pre-launch

Just a few more details, and you'll be ready to tell the world you're open for business (or whatever it is you do). Your site will need a permanent hosting company where all your files will be stored. Up until now, your temporary site has been hosted on a subdomain of K-Design (http://yoursitename.kgraphicdesign.com/joomla). I'll help you choose hosting company for your site and make sure your domain name is registered with a domain name registrar. Sometimes these are two different companies, while other times they are one in the same.

We'll go over all the functionality of the site and make sure it contains all the elements we've spoken about. This is also where you'll need to make a decision as to how involved you want to be in the actual maintenance of your site. Joomla! built sites are designed with the end user in mind (that's you). The back end is simple to use yet it does take some time to learn the system. If you choose to simply notify K-Design of changes or updates you need, we are happy to customize a maintenance pricing package to fit your needs. If you'd rather retain control, I'll provide you with the tools you need to "take the reins".

Once all of the preceding is in place, the balance of your payment is due. This must be collected prior to the site going live.

STEP 5: Launch!

The actual launching of the site involves me setting up an FTP (file transfer protocol) account to your new host so I can upload all the files. Once uploaded, I will make sure the site is working properly. Your site will be coded with keywords and phrases to aid in SEO (search engine optimization) which will increase your chances of being found on the internet. I will also submit your site name to Google and Yahoo to be added in their site directory. When all is said and done, your new site will be officially on the web!

Post-launch

The post launch period is the 30 days immediately following your site going live. In this time frame, I'll be periodically monitoring your site's functionality and traffic as well as helping you make minor adjustments and getting you familiar with how to do those adjustments (if you so choose). There is no charge during this 30 day time frame unless there are major structural changes you've requested.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 November 2008 12:59 )