Website Development

Each website is different, and the process will be adjusted to the timing and feature requests of your project (based on Contractor’s understanding of your needs). The times below represent rough estimates of the expected duration of each stage; these can be adjusted and/or run concurrently if necessary to expedite your project.

Website Deliverables

Website projects generally take anywhere from four weeks to six months.

Default deliverables in a website project are:

Website

typically using the WordPress or Squarespace content management system (CMS)

Training Manual

A digital training manual to ensure you (and any staff) have the ability to make ongoing edits to the site contents

Maintenance Plan

An optional maintenance plan is offered to ensure site is secure and features are maintained ongoing

Website Process Details

Process described here is for illustration purposes.
It is based on my work on scores of projects, but every project is unique and terms will be determined during contracting and scoping process specific to the needs of each individual project and client.

Phase 1

Scoping & Project Definition

2-3 weeks

Refine project goals, and then create specific requirements, final timeline and scope of work.
Explore what exactly you need from a new/re-vamped site that includes as much of your priority wishlist as possible while staying within your budget to best serve you/your organization and put together the final project outline and task assignments.

Phase 2

Content Development
6-8 weeks

Fully scope and finalize the content we will be assembling for the site.
[if site revamp: Audit current content and outline new content development needs, develop an intuitive architecture for this information, and write/ rewrite/re-organize content as necessary to flesh out the proposed sections and pages.]
[if site revamp: Re-structure until we have an updated outline and close-to-finalized content.*]
[if new website:Write new content as needed]

Contractor is not responsible for copy writing, though some templates and frameworks have been developed and can be made available to help guide the process for effective web content creation. Generall re-vamped sites will largely consist of existing content transferred from the current website, some original copy developed for the new site. Original content creation will be primarily the client’s responsibility with our consultation/ guidance from a structure/messaging-for-web-best-practices perspective. This part of the process will largely be in your hands, with Contractor providing guidance, guardrails, best practices, and project management.

Phase 3

Design, Development & Build out
6-8 weeks

Scope branding and design frameworks, sketch out wireframes.
Build out the site including menus, homepage, sub-pages, and other design elements.
Build out other functionality tools (e.g., forms/surveys, translation and accessibility tools, SEO/GEO and social media integration, and other plugins as necessary).

Phase 4

Phase 4: Testing & Site Launch
1-2 weeks

Undertake comprehensive testing on all major platforms, browsers, and devices before launch

Ongoing Maintenance

Optional

Much like any major appliance purchase, clients should set aside a budget for regular service and maintenance — themes, plugins and WordPress installations require tuneups for security & optimal site performance. In addition, in a typical year we find occasional tech support, training and new feature requests typically come up, as well.

Maintenance plan details

Maintenance hours can be used for any reasonable web and digital tools requests including:

Routine maintenance of existing WordPress website (WP core, theme, plugins, hosting, database cleanup);
Site backups and security checks;
Adding new features web site;
Staff training;
Emergency tech support;
GSuite/GApps management;
Email marketing (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact) assistance;
Google (or other) Analytics set up and reporting.

I respond to on-call tech support requests within 72 business hours. I do my best to accommodate more urgent requests, with a 30% rush fee applied. More technically complicated feature requests, trainings and other items are scheduled on a case-by-case basis.

Routine maintenance requests are only initiated at client’s request. I recommend clients set a reminder to have routine maintenance performed annually to keep their site running optimally and to address security patches. I make every effort to let clients know their hours are are due to expire and — if they have hours left over — they are best spent at least performing some routine updates, but I do not guarantee this as part of the package.

A maintenance contract gives clients access to services for 12 months. Unused hours do not rollover. If a client uses up their hours before the contract expires, they can simply initiate a new contract or elect to just request tech support as needed (billed hourly).