QUESTION:

What does the web development process look like? How long will it take?

There are three distinct phases to producing a successful website:

Research and planning

Having the right information on the front end can avoid frustrating and/or expensive surprises later. Through both conversations and written surveys, we will work with you to lay this foundation of information that’s essential to a successful website. Armed with this knowledge, we can define the “scope” of the site: how many pages, what sort of functionality, etc. Once the general scope of the project is determined, we can also discuss a realistic timeline and budget.

Time to complete:

Minimum: Fill out short question­naire; a few conversations.
Maximum: Several weeks; surveys, interviews and online research.

Production

With the site goals agreed upon, as well as user parameters, scope and budget, we’re now ready to move into production. This will include setting up hosting, outlining and creating and/or editing content, designing the look; coding the pages and back end, testing and posting the final site.

Time to complete:

Minimum: About a month*. Maximum: Several months*.

* How long the production phase takes depends somewhat on the size of the project, but also in large part on the client: how much time it takes them to provide content and get back to us with information and approvals.

Maintenance and promotion.

Frequent updates give users reason to return to your site, and may increase its standing in search engine results. We can provide maintenance, or to train your staff to do it. The back end interface we employ is super-easy to use: so simple, in fact, that the training is usually completed in one 30-45 minute session.

For people to use your site, they have to find it, and to find it, they have to know it’s there. We are also available to assist with the ongoing promotion of your site.

Time to complete:

Minimum/Maximum: Training session: One 30-45 minute session.
Maintenance: Ongoing for the life of the site. Because ExpressionEngine sites are so easy to update, ongoing maintenance is usually done by the site owner or their staff.

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