The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20061004235101/http://www.carolinawebsolutions.com:80/process.cfm
Carolina Web Solutions Professional Web Design and Development

The Process : How We Produce Web Sites

At Carolina Web Solutions, we have developed an orderly procedure by which we plan, design, and produce a web site.

1. The Initial Consultation

These meetings usually take place over the telephone, and take about a half hour. They are free and without obligation.

An initial meeting is an exchange of information. We'll answer any questions you have, and find out more about what kind of web site you are planning or considering. The purpose is to provide you with enough information to allow you to decide whether you would like to work with our company, and to provide us with enough information to discern whether your project is an appropriate one for our company.

2. Estimate Preparation

Next, we usually ask that you fill out our Estimate Request Form. This form helps you to gather together a lot of the information we need in order to write an estimate.

When we receive your Estimate Request Form information, we'll proceed to prepare a Proposal/Estimate. Sometimes further communication by phone, email, or in person is necessary to clarify the scope and nature of the work to be done. When we have adequate information, we will then write a set of specifications for your web site with a cost estimate.

3. Signing of Agreement

CWS prepares a standard contract including a detailed description of the planned web site and a cost estimate. 1/3-1/4 of the total estimated cost is due upon signing of the Agreement.

4. Content Gathering

Graphic content must be gathered before most work can begin on the site, and text content before the site can actually be built. CWS will assist you in pulling together the text, logo, graphics, and photographs needed for the site, but it's important to be aware that a web site project does require work on your part.

5. Final Design of Site Structure and Dynamic Applications

CWS will finalize detailed plans for the site structure (the way information is arranged and how navigation will work) as well as for any dynamic (database-driven) applications. Work on databases and data-driven pages can often begin during this phase as well.

6. Page Layout Drafts

Next, page layout and visual design begins. The site's basic design templates are designed first. CWS produces a draft based upon the content, needs, and preferences provided, and uploads this site to a private location on the Internet where the client can view it. The client's feedback is solicited, and this feedback used to produce a second draft. Once more, client feedback is used to make another round of changes, and these changes are expected to produce a final draft.

The same process is used as we develop the individual page designs.

At specified benchmarks during the project, CWS will invoice you for subsequent payments.

7. Database Building and Dynamic Application Coding

CWS creates any databases needed, as well as the code for all dynamic pages. These applications are tested thoroughly.

8. Coding of Actual Pages

The approved page designs are now used as templates. Text and graphic content is "plugged in" and adjusted for a perfect layout. Dynamic page code is added to page templates.

9. Final Site Testing

The site is thoroughly tested. You'll have another chance to review it for any minor changes or corrections, and CWS tests the pages on numerous browsers, on different platforms, and at different browser window sizes and resolution settings, correcting any remaining errors.

10. Site Launch

Payment balance is due and payable at the time when site is uploaded to the server and is "live".

11. Ongoing Maintenance

We are pleased to handle your ongoing maintenance at our regular hourly rate.


Web Developers, visit Carolina Web Solutions' WebDevBiz.com.

~ The pen may be mightier than the sword, but nothing beats a good web site. ~