Design Process

Affordable Web Sites Design Process.

Design Process

A Summary Of Our Design Process...

Initial Consultation & Research - The 1st step to our design process is to have a phone consultation with you. This initial consultation is free and will answer many of your questions. We want to obtain what you want your web site to do along with a couple of samples of other webs ties you like.

After we gather your requirements and review your samples (10-15 minutes), we can then determine the investment required. We will then prepare a written proposal, listing everything we will do and what we need form you. After you accept our proposal and place your deposit (determined by both parties). We move to the account setup phase.
Account Setup Phase 1 - This step involves registering a new domain name (yourcompany.com) for at least 1 year. If you currently have a domain name, we will either modify your settings at your current registrar (godaddy. network solutions, etc.) or transfer your domain to our registrar (affordablwdomain.ws). If we transfer your domain to our registrar, we will automatically extend your name for an additional year.
Account Setup Phase 2 - This step involves selecting the proper hosting environment and server configuration. This also includes setting up your web mail system; site statistics software and any other site tools needed to complete your project as per your requirements.
Design Preparation Phase - This step involves researching your content, industry and/or your sample web sites to determine what type of navigational system we'll use, how we will display the information on each page, what colors to use, how to incorporate any logo you may have, and more.

We also obtain all of your content, secure any images, multimedia and prepare them for your project. All necessary adjustments, modifications and enhancements are considered.
Development Phase - This step involves putting together the elements of the preparation phase. In addition, this phase includes converting your content (probably in word processing format) into a web format, removing all unnecessary code that can make your page fat. After we have completed the development phase, we will setup a test server and transfer your project to this server for viewing and testing.
File Transfer, Viewing & Testing Phase - This step also includes transferring your files to our test server for viewing and testing this new layout on multiple browsers for consistency. After you view your project on our test server, we accept your modifications. After we complete all of your requests, we then ask for the balance or payment (if multiple payments have been arranged) on this project and transfer your project to your hosting account.

Q). How do web design companies charge?
A). There is no one way to charge for web services. Some designers offer "packages" that you choose from to best meet your small business web site design needs. Some charge per page. Some offer a quote on the entire project. Some charge by the hour. Some forgo the design fee for a very high monthly service fee (over $50) and require a lengthy contract. While this no-money down up front scheme may sound attractive, you will probably end up paying much more in the long term.

Affordable Web Site payment system is simple, you provide a deposit before we start and pay the balance when we finish. Sometimes we may have to break up the balance in multiple payments, nut this is done on a case by case basis.

Q). What are the basic requirements for a service related web site?
A). Domain name(yourcompany.com), layout design, hosting account. You then add the features to make your web site custom or to make it do what you need it to do.

Q). How long does it take to complete my project?
A). A basic web site professionally setup, designed and activated usually takes us about 14-21 days. An ecommerce web site professionally setup, designed and activated usually takes us about 30-60 days. Of course this depends on how prepared your material is. If we have to modify or enhance any of your materials, this can add 1-2 days to the development process.

Q). Do I get to select the features for my project?
A). Of course, you can select colors, images, animation, navigational style. You can also choose whether to use audio or video. This is the main difference between having a professional design your site and using one of those online site creators.

Q). Does it cost extra for flash and do you recommend it?
A). Yes it does, flash is an exciting, attractive, but an expensive technology. Affordable Web Sites provides flash spices. we really do not recommend flash for start up companies, you'd be better off investing in marketing.

Q). Do I own the project after you have finished?
A). Absolutely.

Q). What if I already have a web site designed by some one else, how can I save some of my previous investment?
A). We will look at what you have and try to save the features you like about your previous web site. We have been successful in redesigning or enhancing projects created by someone else.

Q. We have some nice glossy printed material, how do we display this on our web site?
A). Chances are you created these documents in a print program we support, we'll just create a PDF version of this document using Adobe Acrobat Professional® software and place it on your web site.

Q). How do I provide you with my content?
A). We have an industrial strength special web mail account that accepts all types of files up to 5mb-100mb in size. If your files needs to be scanned, you can send them via regular mail.