Getting Started... The Design Process

Once you have a general idea and vision for your web site, take the first step and send an email or Request a Quote.

1. What are your needs?
   We start by gathering information about your company, services, audience, purpose, site goals and more.
   
   
2. About Quotes, Proposals and Estimates
   Once your information is evaluated Amber will send you a written proposal - a basic outline of the work to be done. With most projects, a 50% deposit is required to commence work. Proposals are formulated by considering all the work involved as well as the complexity of that work.
   
   
3. We have an agreement? Let's start designing!
   You agree, ESWD agrees and the 50% deposit has been received. We then start the actual design process. Your domain name(s) are registered at this time and hosting is set up if applicable. A customized “coming soon” message will be uploaded to your site while it is being developed – allowing you to start advertising and marketing your site immediately.
   
   
4. Collecting Your Materials
   Text, Photos, etc... we need all of the content for the pages we will be designing for you.
   
   
5. Mockup Sites and Sample Layouts
   The fun part – I will put together mockup designs of your site for you/your company to critique and discuss. At this point I am trying to narrow down exactly what you're looking for in terms of design and layout. Your feedback is essential in the web design process and is welcomed at any time.
   
   
6. Site Development
   Based on your feedback from the mockup site(s) a design is established and used for your Web site. Once the home page design is completed and approved we move on to the secondary pages.
   
   
7. Web Site Completion and Debugging
   ESWD has an elite group of professional Web designers from around the world look at your site. We ensure that your site is functional, user friendly and Cross Browser Compatible before it is launched.
   
   
8. Site goes "Live"
   After receipt of the final 50% payment, your site is published on your server for the world to see.
   
   
9. Statcounter Installation
   If desired, ESWD installs your complimentary Stat Counter which provides detailed statistics regarding the number of visitors to your site, how the visitors came to your site, how long they stayed, their geographic location, etc.
   
   
10. Search Engine Submission
    ESWD submits your site to the top search engines and local directories.

Understanding the Basics

Hosting
Upon designing your site, ESWD will help you set up your hosting account. You must have a host to have a website. Basically, your "host" is your "web landlord". You pay a small fee per month to rent the internet space your website resides on. We are able to offer FREE hosting through a trusted affiliate for most of our client's sites. E-commerce sites and sites with content management systems can be hosted for as little as $7.95/month.

ESWD is proud to offer Green Hosting by request.

Domain Names
As with hosting, if you do not already have your own Domain name, ESWD will help you set this up as well. Registration (for a .com, .net, or .org domain) is usually around $25. A domain name needs to be renewed every year.