Now that you understand how to plan your project and what goes into creating a web site, it’s time to consider a few things about who you should hire to complete your project. A few options include:
Individual Web Designer/Web Developer
An individual or freelancer who can design and create a web site
Web Design Firm
A company that specializes in all aspects of the creation and implementation of a web site
Marketing/Advertising Firm
A company that specializes in advertising/marketing, and also provides web site development
Full-Service Design Firm
A company that specializes in design of all kinds including web design, print design, identity creation
Diversified Internet Services Company
A company that provides all aspects of web site related products including domain names, hosting, e-mail, web design, e-commerce and more.
| Activity:
Discuss advantages/disadvantages of each entity above. |
Getting a Proposal
After providing the prospective web designer/developer/company with the information contained in the Project Profiler, and perhaps through several consultations, a proposal will be drafted that should outline all aspects of development and the associated costs. Depending on the requirements of your project, the proposal should contain information pertaining to the following areas:
§ Design
The design process should be described in detail. The role of Flash should also be detailed here.
§ Functionality
The proposal should contain a functionality specification, a document describing in great detail all the functionalities that will be included in the project. This should be from both an end-user perspective and your perspective. For example, functionalities such as search, shopping cart, and e-mail list are end-user functionalities. The way these end-user functionalities are managed are administrative functionalities and should also be outlined.
§ Technology Platform
The technology platform is the combination of technologies that will be used to create your web site. This may include the programming language, database and software and will impact the hosting plan and provider.
§ Content
o Content Source - Where the content will come from and in what format it should be provided and if copy-writing services will be offered.
o Content Entry - Will all data entry into the e-commerce system or CMS be provided?
o Images/Photography/Video/Audio – Where will these assets come from? Certain stock images used in the design may have an additional cost. Will product images need to be provided by you, the client or are photographic/scanning services included? Will audio/video services be included or are these assets to be provided by the client.
§ Structure
An outline or site map diagram that shows the hierarchy of site content should be provided. This doesn’t have to be the absolute final site structure, but should at least be a viable starting point. It might also include notes indicating where certain functionalities and interactive content will be present. A flow chart of certain business processes such as the checkout process of an e-commerce site might also be included.
§ Timeline
A timeline of deliverables should be included to give you an idea of when each phase of the project will be complete, and what you can expect to see as evidence of the progress.
§ Training
Depending on the complexity of your site, some training may be necessary for complete understanding of the site management tools.
§ Project Cost
o Total Project method – The price of the project will include all aspects of development. Each area of development may be broken down into line items or a total project cost may be given. If certain aspects of site development are requested as separate line items, the cost of development of these items should be separated from the base project cost.
o Hourly Estimate method - A designer may wish to work hourly, in which case a range of hours should be given prior to beginning the project and intervals should be established to report time and progress.
§ Additional and Future Costs
o Hosting
o Maintenance
o Promotion, SEO
o Future development
§ Warranty
The warranty should detail what will be done to remedy any future problems and for what time period free technical support and upgrades are available.
§ Legal Disclaimer
A legal disclaimer outlining your rights and protections and the rights and protections afforded the developer.
§ Software License
If 3rd party software of any kind is being integrated into the project, the license for the use of the software should be included.
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