CONSULTATION—
A free one hour consultation will be provided to accomplish all
necessary introductions and begin to gather information on the
needs and ideas of the client.
PLANNING—
This step includes researching the client’s competition
and other industry leaders, developing concepts and strategies
appropriate to the client’s business strategies, and clearly
defining the scope of the project.
PROPOSAL
OR ESTIMATE DEVELOPMENT— Based on the information
gathered, a good faith estimate or proposal will be developed
and provided to the client for perusal. Upon signed approval the
project will get under way. Generally a 30% deposit is expected
at this point in the project’s production cycle.
INITIAL
CONCEPT PRESENTATION— As a rule of thumb, three
distinct designs will be created by the design team for consideration
by the client. From the client feedback a definitive direction
for the project will be determined.
THE
PROOFING PROCESS— The proofing process involves
the client requesting specific changes and the design team implementing
them. The project coordinator serves as a conduit for the communication
from client to design team. The number of proofing rounds varies
from client to client based on the volume of changes requested
by the client. The proofing process is considered a discretionary
area of the budget as it is entirely possible that the time involved
could be less, but it could also be greater than anticipated.
The number of rounds of proofing will be specified in the written
estimate and those over and above will be billed additional. Proofs
will be provided in a digital format via email unless otherwise
requested.
DELIVERY—
Once we have received final signoff and approval on the project
the costs associated with the project are due. A final invoice
will be generated and delivered to the client for payment. Upon
payment all final digital files will be provided on CD for future
utilization.
PLANNING—
The basic nuts and bolts of this phase of the process is determining
where we are going and how we are going to get there. Amidst all
the technical jargon and practical considerations it boils down
to that. Here are the six key elements
of this phase which will not only help save a great deal of money,
but which are required before the project can move forward:
Target
Audience: Define
who the site will serve and who you hope to attract. Resist
attempting to appeal to everyone and make your target audience
a succinct, narrow group.
Site
Objective:
This is the guiding light for the most insightful clients.The
swiss army knife approach is really easy to segway into and
we will do everything we can to discourage it. Choose your goals
carefully and limit them in number.
Site
Outline: Although
created in standard outline form in any program of choice, this
document basically defines how the site will be organized (hierarchy)
and every page to be produced and published. Even on smaller
sites we find clients struggle with this because its overtly
a commitment. However, this is essential to determining the
scope of the project which impacts the timeline and amount of
required staff.
Timeline:
Its important to the client, as well as to the Creative Presence
team, to know when to content will be submitted, when launch
is expected and the details of the proofing process. We take
deadlines seriously, but a website is a collaborative effort
which inevitably involves give and take from the client. Illuminating
the expectations up front inevitably results in a smoother production
process.
Website
Worksheet:
The website worksheet is basically a method of pulling all the
details of the site together in a written form prior to actual
construction. One of the unique, but important, elements requested
are URLs of websites that appeal to the client or those approving
the final project. These websites do not necessarily need to
be within the client's industry. By supplying this information
the client can communicate their personal vision and style better
than any other single method.
Written
Estimate/Proposal:
The previous five items allow the Creative Presence team to
accurately define the scope of the project. Based on the information
supplied by the client an estimate or proposal will be generated.
Once final signoff is obtained and a deposit secured the project
will get underway.
EXECUTION
(Construction, Proofing & Testing)— The construction
phase includes the development of unique prototypes or templates
which will be provided to the client for review. The proofing
process begins as all proof changes are submitted in writing,
preferably via email. Any questions will be clarified prior to
further production. Any proof changes outside the defined scope
of the project will be billed additional. The site will be reviewed
by no less than one independent person and no more than three
for testing purposes. Final written approval must be received
before the site will be uploaded to the client-approved host server.
The
host server and domain registration can be handled independently
by the client while Creative Presence serves only in an advisory
capacity. At the client's request we are happy to manage these
administrative tasks for our clients.
MARKETING—
Each page of the site will be coded to be search engine friendly.
The primary domain will be submitted for Google indexing via the
free submission process. Any paid listing or additional search
engine submissions will be billed additional. Traditional marketing
campaigns, larger scale online marketing and other approaches
are also available dependent on the needs and business objectives
of the client.
MAINTENANCE—
Maintenance schedules vary from client to client, but we most
commonly recommend a quarterly update schedule and a biennial
redesign plan. Any or all services can be included in our maintenance
contracts including both technical, graphical or typographic alterations.
Maintenance plans executed by Creative Presence guarantee staffing
at the predesignated times regardless of inhouse production. As
a benefit of prepayment, the hourly charge for basic changes is
greatly reduced.
