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The Creation Process

  1. Meet with client, discuss type of site wanted, content for site, request any company artwork (logos, images, etc), discuss what look/layout they have in mind (if any), and discuss any dynamic aspects of the site (if any) that are desired. Give client a time/cost estimate for the static aspects of the site. Based on discussion of dynamic aspects of the site, give a rough 'low-high' estimate range (estimate will be refined in step 8).
    1. If client doesn’t have any ideas for a layout, present several options and see if they like any, explain that presented layouts and colors can be modified. (Skip steps 4 and 5)
    2. If client has an idea of what they want the site to look like, or doesn’t like any of the options shown (1a), begin hand sketching and color picking.
  2. Discuss web hosting and domain registration. SoletScripts.com offers both (and prefers to host the site being built because we know that any software needed is available and that the servers are reliable).
    1. If hosting is already being done somewhere else, get login/passwords and make sure current hosting will be sufficient.
    2. If client registered their domain name(s) themselves, they can choose to transfer them to SoletScripts.com, or handle the renewing of the domain(s) themselves.
    3. Advise client of the maintenance/service contracts offered, provide information and inform them that it will be discussed further at the final meeting.
    4. Advise client of Google AdWords, provide links to information, inform them that it will be discussed further at the final meeting also that if they believe they want to sign up to advertise with AdWords that they may want to let SoletScripts.com handle the setup and managing.
  3. Prepare artwork from client for use on the site (clean up, sizing, background removal, etc).
  4. Generate layout design in Photoshop/GIMP
  5. Cut and Code Photoshop/GIMP layout into valid XHTML 1.0 (strict) and CSS 2.0 (PHP and JavaScript will be done later if applicable).
  6. If needed, modify layout and/or colors, add client artwork to site.
  7. Meet with client and review current version of layout. If changes are needed, return to appropriate step and work back through to this step (rinse, repeat until satisfied). (Brad and Christ go to step 11. AJ to step 8. Steps 8 through 14 will be labeled as to who will be performing that task. Names with a second layer of parenthesis denote that they _can_ perform that task, but the others should instead to balance work load.)
  8. (AJ) If applicable, meet with client and discuss specifics of any dynamic aspects of the site (JavaScript or PHP work such as, web stores, forums, news feeds, multi language, web user login/registration, web user tools/dashboards, etc), at the very least there will usually be at least an email form on the contact page and a site map routine. Give client a refined estimate on the cost of the dynamic aspects of the site.
  9. (AJ) Get permission for a third party (web programming friend of AJ;s) to, once complete, test and try to break dynamic portions of the site for functionality and security. This helps because he may be able to find holes/bugs that I may have over looked. If needed get signature on an acknowledgement/agreement that a third party will be attempting to compromise the site. (Backup of database(s) will of course be made first, backups of files are kept locally even after final launch.) If client doesn’t agree to third party attacks, explain the potential risk of an overlooked bug/hole and (if needed) get signature acknowledging that SoletScripts.com will be performing above mentioned tasks throughout the coding process (a normal part of the coding process).
  10. (AJ) Begin coding dynamic portions of the site, performing security checks/tests myself as I code.
  11. (Brad, Christ, (AJ)) Begin compiling, organizing and entering static content into the site.
  12. (AJ) As dynamic PHP modules/sections are completed (if agreed to by client) have third party colleague begin functionality checking and security attacks. Log and fix problems as they're reported.
  13. (Brad, Christ, (AJ)) Complete static content entry, meet with client to review static portion of the site. If changes are needed, return to appropriate step and work back through to this step (rinse, repeat until satisfied).
  14. (AJ) Complete dynamic portions of the site. Run a full check for functionality and security. If everything checks out (if agreed to by client) have third party colleague run full functionality check and security attacks. Log and fix problems as they're reported until a full check is passed.
  15. Present (tentatively completed) site to a test pool of computer literate/web savvy friends to look over site for typos, bad links, glitches, and simple problems (this is not a security check or attack of any kind, more of an open user beta release for feedback and simple error finding. A dozen people will find a typo hidden within 6000 words more quickly than 3 people who have been staring at said words for several weeks will). Correct things as reported/needed.
  16. Once all final checks and reviews have successfully been completed meet with client and present finished product. If applicable, train client (or an employee of the client) to use the backend of any dynamic pages on the site (i.e. adding products, adding news events, adding a new language that the site can be viewed in, etc). Make sure client is satisfied with the site, if changes are needed, return to appropriate step and work back through to this step (rinse, repeat until satisfied).
  17. Discuss contract for future maintenance to the site. Point out that upgrades in server software, new browsers, changes to search engine crawling methods and updates to web standards (such as new versions of XHTML or new security/encryption protocols) can affect how the site may function.
    1. SoletScripts.com can check the site periodically to make sure everything is still functioning properly.
    2. If desired, Google AdWords can be setup and managed. Cost for this would be the cost of advertising with AdWords plus a managing fee to SoletScripts.com.
    3. Should the site have a problem or error the error report email could be sent to an address we monitor so that it can be taken care of more quickly.
    4. SoletScripts.com prefers that the client not modify the files on the site. Any areas that would need frequent changes will have an interface for the client to make said changes. Should the client modify a file directly SoletScripts.com can not ensure that we will be able to correct any problems for the amount specified in the contract, original rates may apply.
    5. Maintenance, service and hosting contracts will be a monthly payment, payment amount and services provided will be discussed at this time.
    6. With each monthly payment an email will be sent from SoletScripts.com to the client reporting the status of the site.
    7. Should anything ever go wrong with the site the client will be notified by phone or email and problem will be given immediate priority.
  18. Should client decide to partake in a maintenance/service agreement, contract will be assembled and completed.
  19. Final invoice will be generated (including first months maintenance/service/hosting bill(s) if applicable) and given to client.
  20. Upon payment, site will be submitted to various search engines, added to SoletScripts.com's 'Google Webmaster Tools', site map will be uploaded to Google via Webmaster Tools, and (if in the service agreement) Google AdWords will be setup.
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