web design procedure

Step 1: Basic requirements
Give us basic information about the website: for example the number of pages, the content you want and the kind of look and navigation you prefer.  Examples of websites -- within or outside your market -- can be very helpful here.  Let us know what kind of offline marketing (brochures, etc) you have, and if so, how closely you want to stick to the existing brand imagery.  If you already have a website, tell us what you like and dislike about it.

Step 2: What you want to achieve (goals)
It is a good idea to know beforehand what your objectives are for your website, along with an idea of the budget: this will enable us to assess the right approach for you. 

Step 3: Your target market and the geographical regions you serve
Tells us who your products/services are aimed at and the geographical regions you are targeting -- especially whether you want a national or international presence.

Step 4: Targets: competitors and example websites
Provide us with the names of your main competitors, their website addresses and their strengths and weakness.  Also confirm the websites discussed in Step 1 whose features you would like to include.
Let us know what you like/dislike about their websites.

Step 5: Agree the objectives, price and payment schedule
This step forms the basis for all our work, and is always agreed in writing so that both parties are completely happy.

Our standard payment schedule involves a 50% deposit before we start, with nothing to pay until we have finished the work, prior to launch.  Projects in excess of £4,000 value are likely to require stage payment(s) which will be stated in the schedule.  Payment of the deposit is made at this stage.

Step 6: Agree on the designs
Based on the information and examples you have given us, along with any images you have provided, we will produce an initial design, which may be emailed to you or viewed online.
Changes that are consistent with the original agreement can be made, and your sign-off is then obtained

Step 7: Provide the content for your website
Usually we simply require general notes (in, say, MS Word format)that we can then transform into copy that is web-friendly and fits your page layout.

Step 8: Complete the final payment
Prior to website launch, we require that you complete the remaining payment for the work.