Design and Development Process

We work closely with our clients to design and develop projects.

Before beginning a project, we will put together a detailed project schedule outlining specific deliverables & dates of delivery from 4M Web Design to you, as well as time frames for your feedback and approvals for each stage of the project. Each project phase affects the subsequent phases and depends upon the specific deliverables & project milestones through which the project will progress. Client approvals are required for each stage of the project.

The following steps outline 4M Web Design approach.

Phase #1 – Planning Meeting

During the planning stage, we spend time getting to know you and your business or organization. We may ask you to provide copies of your current marketing materials & we will ask you a lot of questions.

During this stage, we may assess your:

Phase #2 - Proposal, Contract and Web site Planning Work Sheet

We produce a Proposal for review (if needed), a contract that outlines the estimated completion date, task and payment schedule and a Web site Planning Sheet which is a questionnaire designed to enhance communications between 4M Web Design and our clients. We require a 33% deposit to commence work. Once the Contract and Web site Planning Sheets are signed, and a 1/3 deposit is paid, basic site design concepts will begin.

Phase #3 - Concept, Design and Site Architecture

After we have gathered the information, goals, and objectives needed for the project, we begin to conceptualize the design & develop the overall structure for the project. During this stage, constant communication is key! 4M Web Design will require feedback & approval on Design Concepts & Mockups, Navigation Map, and, if 4M is writing or editing content for the project, a complete list of the pages to be written or edited.

Our goal is to make your site easy to navigate, fast loading, and aesthetically pleasing.

Phase #4 - Production

After your approval of phase 3, the work necessary to complete the project will begin, and the second thirty-three percent (33%) of the total amount will be paid. We begin to build your site according to the Design Concept & Mockups previously shown. The Production Phase is often the longest phase of the project process. We build all pages and propagate with content and graphics, we code & develop all technical requirements (database, e-commerce functionality, etc), and we also create the “bells and whistles” for the project (GIF animation, Java-Script, Flash, Shockwave etc.). Text (if provided by client) is also required at this stage.

Phase #5 - Testing

Testing, testing, testing and yes, more testing! Once the project has been built it will be thoroughly tested to ensure it is error-free. We check cross browser compatibility and resolution. We also take the necessary time to do a complete site check. We then turn it over to you to review and test. Revisions, if needed, are made to the project based on testing and feedback.

Phase #6 – Final Approval and Launch!

Once you have approved your new web site and any revisions, we will publish your site to the space on your web server. Publishing a web site is a lot easier than publishing a book, or even printing a brochure. Once the files are copied to your web server space, your web site is instantly "live" for the entire world to see.

Final payment of the remaining thirty-four percent (34%) is due at this point. We also make a copy of your site and put it onto a CD for backup storage purposes.

Phase #7 - Submission to Major Search Engines

We submit your site to the major search engines and directories like Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.

Phase #8 – Follow Up

We will contact you a few weeks after your site has been online to make sure everything is running smoothly and to get any feedback you’ve received. We may also solicit a Client Testimonial.

Phase #9 – Updates

One of the worst things is to let your site not be updated with the latest information. If your business experiences changes, releases new financial reports, has new job opportunities, or is offering new services or products, you need to let your visitors know. Your customers and visitors expect to see the latest information about your business. We offer professional, guaranteed web page maintenance on an as-needed or monthly basis. Please see our Webmaster Services page for more details.