Web Design Process

For many, the thought of building a web site is a daunting task. But really, it's pretty simple (in terms of the process). Here's what you can expect (in order):

• Defining the Task.
Once you have decided to hire E-Commerce Creations the first step is to define the project very carefully and very thoroughly. It is critical to put down on paper what is and isn't included for the agree-to price. We call this the "Statement of Work" and include it as part of our proposal. For us to prepare this document, we're going to have a lot of questions to ask. If you haven't done so already, please review (and fill out) our free estimate form. This form collects the basic information we need to begin developing the Statement of Work. Of course, we will have more questions and will want to talk with you about the details. But this form lays out the basics.

• Preparing the Proposal.
E-Commerce Creations will prepare a full proposal for you at no cost or obligation. These are not template documents where we change out the executive summary and fire them off en mass. We often have dozens of hours (sometimes much more!) into a single proposal because it is this document, and this document alone, that will define our entire relationship. Some section headings you can expect to find in our website design proposals: Executive Summary, Primary Objectives, Statement of Work, Technology Platforms, Maintenance Terms, Search Engine Rankings, Production Process, Timelines, Deliverables, Fee Breakdown, Terms of Service, etc.

• Negotiating Price.
As mentioned, there are no set rules as to how we determine price since everything we do is so customized. So yes, the good news is that there is always room for negotiation. But E-Commerce Creations isn't into playing pricing games. Our price is primarily based on how much work we have to put into your website, so our idea of negotiation is to discuss how to accomplish the objectives within a budget--not to simply toss around numbers. Sometimes there are sacrifices and compromises that must be made by both E-Commerce Creations and the client.

• Beginning Production.
Once the proposal is agreed to and the price is set, E-Commerce Creations will begin production. We don't ask for a deposit or any kind of advanced payment. We don't ask you to sign a contract. We will work completely at our own risk so that at every step of the process, we still have to earn your business. We build everything out on our live development servers so that our clients can monitor our progress in real time. During production, expect to be in contact with E-Commerce Creations at least every other day (and usually more often than that.) We want to make sure we're always on the right track, so we'll touch base with you often.

• Develop the Design & Layout.
The first phase of production involves building screenshots of what your project will look like. If you ordered a logo, this would be the first thing to produce. The screenshot is a static image that essentially determines the template by which we will build the rest of your website's pages.

• Build the 'Alpha Site'.
The 'alpha site' is a skeleton of your web site. At this point it is no longer static. The navigation works (but only leads to empty pages.) This stage gives us a chance to really see how the site will function before we plug in all the content and any bells and whistles.

• Build the 'Beta Site'.
When everything is approved with the alpha site, we begin adding your content. This is where the web site really takes on its final form and comes together. For ecommerce and other functional sites, many clients opt to begin accepting a few 'beta testers' to use their site with the understanding that there may still be some bugs to work out.

• Final Acceptance.
When the beta site is complete, everyone spends some time looking over the site, testing, tweaking, revising, etc. When the client is completely happy with everything, we ask him/her to sign a 'Final Acceptance Agreement' as well as a 'Contract for Professional Services.'  These documents do several things. The Final Acceptance Agreement basically states that the project is completely done and that the client is satisfied and agrees to pay. After signing this document, any additional requests for work must fall under the maintenance agreement or will incur additional fees. The Contract for Professional Services is a very standard legal contract that defines ownership, liability, indemnification, and all that other legal mumbo jumbo that is a necessary evil.

• Payment & Launch.
Our only rule is quite simple: when we get paid, you get your work. We take a big chance by not requiring any payment or contracts from our clients from the outset. Most of our peers think we're nuts to operate this way (though never in our history has a client every taken us up on this unconditional satisfaction guarantee!) So the only protection that we have against mal-intending clients is to own and possess all the work until payment is received. Not invoiced. Not in the mail. Not when contracts are signed. When your money is in our bank, THEN AND ONLY THEN we will turn everything over to you. At that time we upload and install everything on your infrastructure (or whatever infrastructure has been decided upon.) We turn over all development documents to you, including the raw files we used every step of the way. When we're done, you own everything you paid for.

• Maintaining the Website.
Every client has different needs when it comes to keeping their web site up-to-date. Some require daily or weekly updates. Some just need typos fixed here and there. Some clients can dabble in their own HTML. Some wouldn't want to go near the stuff. Whatever your situation is, we can accommodate you. Every maintenance contract is custom tailored to your specific needs. In general, the way it works is this: We set a minimum number of hours per month that we agree should cover most maintenance work. In exchange for guaranteeing that minimum number of hours, we drop our hourly rates substantial (in half or more!). If you don't use up your full allocation of hours, we spend the balance doing web site promotion (because you can never spend too much time promoting your web site!) If you go over, you're locked into the reduced rate that we've agreed to. Anything more than about 5 hours overtime will be quoted as a 'mini project' with a fixed fee.