I've decided I want a web site. What's next?
Inspired Graphics Media has created this step-by-step process to make sure your web site gets up and running as efficiently as possible.
- Web Site Consultation and Free Estimate - Before preparing
an estimate, we ask that you fill out our Service
Request Form. This form helps us understand your project's needs.
If follow-up is needed, someone from Inspired Graphics Media will contact
you via e-mail or telephone to discuss your project. After reviewing the
Service Request Form and any follow-up consultations, we will create a
free price estimate.
- Contract and Engagement Schedule - Once the estimate
is agreed upon, we will prepare a Contract and Engagement Schedule for
you. A signed Contract protects both parties involved. The Engagement
Schedule details each phase of the project including its targeted completion
date. Inspired Graphics Media requires a 25% to 50% deposit and your content
prior to starting your project. (Please note that once these documents
are signed, any extra work not listed in the Contract and Engagement Schedule
are considered additional and will be billed accordingly).
- Payment - Fees to Inspired Graphics Media are payable
on the following schedule:
Deposit: A 25% to 50% deposit is due on all projects at the Contract and Engagement Schedule signing. For your convenience we accept payments via check, money order, and PayPal.
Invoicing: We mail invoices on the 15th of every month. Invoices includes all work done from the 16th of the previous month to the 15th of the current month. All invoices are net 15 days.
Final Payment: A final invoice will be produced on the project completion date stated in the Contract and Engagement Schedule or the date you deem your site complete, whichever comes first. This final invoice must be paid prior to your site being uploaded to the public domain.
- Acquiring Domain Name and Web Hosting - You will need
a domain name for your web site. This is the URL or internet address for
you site and comes in the following form, http://www.yourcompanyname.com.
You can purchase your domain name right now for only $20 per year. Click
for details. Once you have the domain name, you will have to lease
space on a web server for your site's files to reside. This space is leased
from a web host. Hosting is provided on a yearly basis, though most web
hosts offer monthly and quarterly payment plans. Inspired Graphics Media
can help you acquire these services.
- Sending Content - We accept content via e-mail, postal
mail and fax. However, if you choose postal mail, please send via Priority
Mail, Federal Express or UPS. Regular postal mail cannot be tracked in
the event a package does not arrive on time. A scanning and keyboarding
fee may apply to all content not sent via e-mail.
- Designing and Testing Your Site - Inspired Graphics
Media uses your answers from the Service Request form and client consultations
to create several design templates for you to choose from. Once a template
is chosen, we insert your content, including any interactive or e-commerce
elements you have ordered. Your site can be viewed from a password-protected
area attached to the Inspired Graphics Media web site. This way potential
customers will not be able to see your site until it is complete.
- Uploading - Once your site has been approved and final
payment has been received, your site goes live. It is uploaded to http://www.yourcompanyname.com
and is available for the world to see.
- Site Promotion - Now that your site is live, potential
customers need to be able to find it. To drive traffic to your site, Inspired
Graphics Media will submit it to several major search engines that offer
free submission. It can take weeks or even months before a site is picked
up by the search engines. Some of the larger search engines, like Yahoo!,
require companies to pay for inclusion in their search results. It is
wise for a company to explore their online marketing options before committing
to a paid resource. Also remember that promoting your site offline is
just as important as promoting it online.
- Maintenance - Inspired Graphics Media offers 3 months of free web site editing, dated from the time of the project's completion. (Please note that free updates include minor text and photo additions/deletions. It does not include the creation of new pages or any updates that will disturb the design of the site). If your site requires frequent updates or updates that will change the design of the site, consider purchasing a maintenance package. We would be happy to discuss this possibility with you.
That is all there is to it. Depending on the complexity of your project, this process can be completed within a matter of weeks. To get a jump on the design process fill out the Service Request Form now. We look forward to hearing from you.
