This guide explains the steps from start to finish and gives you an idea of what to expect when we develop your website. Of course, your project may have unique needs that are not addressed here. Site-specific details would be reviewed in your proposal.

1. Project Decision-Making and Planning

Website Development Quote - If you have not already done so, you will want to take some time to think about what you wish to accomplish with your new website. Determine if you will need any special functionality or interactivity with your visitors; consider the type of design style which appeals to you and then be sure to let us know.

When you are ready, please request your free, no-obligation Web Design Quote.

Needs Analysis - Based on the information you provided when requesting your Web Design Quote, we attempt to determine your needs, what you are expecting from your website, and try to get a feel for your industry. This is why it's important to be as detailed as possible when requesting your quote.

If we have questions for you to help clarify certain issues, we will express those before quoting on your project.

If we believe that your website development project could benefit from our services and skills, we will quote you on your project.

Website Development Contract - Once we have come to an agreement on project details, timeline and price, we will prepare a website development contract for you to review, sign and send back with your deposit. (Contracts are not required for projects under $1,000.00.)

Initial Deposit - The signed contract and 50% deposit is required before we schedule a time slot for your project. The remainder of your balance will be due upon project completion. Once we have received your 50% deposit and signed contract, we will provide you with a copy of the fully executed contract, a receipt for your deposit and your project start date. All projects are scheduled on a "first come, first served" basis.

Domain Name Registration and Website Hosting Setup - If you already have a domain name and hosting, we may be able to work with your current host to give you all the features you require. Otherwise, B2 Computing is happy to manage everything for you.

2. Determining the Visual Design and Layout

Project Commencement - Upon receipt of your deposit and contract (if applicable), your project manager will email you to confirm receipt of your deposit and contract, give you their direct contact information and possibly provide a list of items which will be needed from you over the course of development.

You will need to let us know the navigation links you would like ("Home", "About Us, "Our Services", etc.) and supply text and/or product information to be placed on your site. In addition, you may also supply material such as company logo, product photos, etc.

If you have any guide sites you would like us to refer to when designing your site or if you have any preference as to colors, style, etc please offer that information as well.

For E-Commerce sites that require us to enter products for you, we will need you to supply an Excel spread sheet listing the following: Product Name, Unique Product ID Number (if any), Product Description, Options (if any – size, color, etc), Price, Approximate Weight, Number in Stock, as well as the product photos named in correspondence with the Product ID Number on the spread sheet.

Ideally, all of the above information should be supplied prior to us getting started.

Work will commence on your scheduled start date. Your project manager will contact you on that day to confirm that we are getting started.

In-Progress Viewing - We typically establish a private directory for your new website on our testing server so that you may view the website development progress at any time. In addition, your project manager will inform you via email when extensive updates to the site have been made so you can review the most recent progress.

Professional Stock Photography - All projects include use of professional stock photography images from our current library. If a client requires stock photography which we do not currently possess, an additional fee may apply.

3. Site Programming & Database Creation

Site Programming and Coding - All website development programming/coding to run any special features/visitor interactivity on your website is completed and tested.

Website Page Creation - Based upon your contract and the final design discussed, we create as many static or dynamic pages as needed to complete your site.

Website Navigation - Navigation links or drop down menus, and rollover effects, if desired, are completed.

Site Map - Creation of a site map page is done which includes easy one-click access to all pages of your site. We also create an XML site map file, which is used by Google and other search engines to easily determine & crawl all the pages within your web site.

Site Content - Incorporation of your logo, photos and text content is included in all projects. Custom logo design is available for an additional fee, please inquire if interested.

Cascading Stylesheet Building - CSS Stylesheets are used to define font faces, styles, sizes and colors for consistency throughout the site.

Website Favicon - A favicon is a small image that displays in the address bar and on the favorites menu when someone bookmarks or adds your website to their "Favorites". Creation of a favicon is included in all custom website development projects.

Response Forms and Email Contact Forms - We always recommend at least one contact form for your visitor's convenience. Using a contact form, a visitor can email you directly from your website without needing to open their email program. This is especially convenient if a visitor is not using their own computer or when their email program is not available.

Search Engine Optimization

• Analysis of visible website content with suggested changes
• Analysis of meta tags and title tags in your source code with suggested changes
• Detailed incoming link report and link building suggestions
• Keyword research on your targeted keywords and phrases
• Keyword competitor comparison (what are your competitors doing right?)
• Creation of Google Analytics Website Stats and Webmaster Tools accounts if needed
• Creation of Google Local (Google Maps) and Yahoo Local listings if needed
• Manual submission of website to Google, Yahoo, Bing and DMOZ
• Creation of search engine friendly site map
• Creation of optimal robots.txt file
• Image alt tag optimization recommendations
• Creation of custom 404 error page if needed

4. Testing & Troubleshooting

Search Engine Readiness Check - Meta Tags, Page Titles, Page Heading, Alt Image Tags, Link Text, and Page Body Text evaluation and adjustment where needed throughout the website. At no time can we guarantee when or where the search engines will place your website within their search results or directory.

Browser Compatibility Testing - Your website is tested on a variety of operating systems and browsers to insure proper display and functionality.

Grammar & Spell Check - Before the website is launched, a grammar and spell check is performed to insure there are no mistakes.

Dead Link Check - A thorough check for misdirected links and missing files is performed just prior to as well as after the launch of the website.

Forms and Programming Testing - Any email contact forms and/or programming features included in your project are tested to confirm they are functioning as required.

5. Project Launch Phase

Final Payment - Final payment is always due before we take the website live on your domain. Upon receipt of final payment, you will be emailed a final/paid in full receipt.

Deploy Website - All necessary website files and scripts are copied to your domain and databases are setup.

Final Error Testing - After your website is launched, any interactive programming and scripts are tested to verify proper function. Since the design and testing phase often occurs on a different server, it is very important to once again verify that everything is working correctly after taking the website live.

SSL Certificate Installation - Because an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is tied to the domain name, the website must be live prior to installing the certificate

Website Files - After launching and testing of the website, you are provided with a zipped archive of all website files.

Instructions & Documentation - When necessary, any documentation needed to use the administration functions of your website is included in PDF format.

Search Engine Submission - Manual search engine submission occurs after launching, testing and fixing any issues there may have been.

5. Project Completion and On-Going Responsibilities

Minor Adjustments or Changes - Minor adjustments to the website are included at no charge for up to two weeks after the website has launched. Minor changes include adding changing text, adding or changing photos, etc.