We want you to be a part of your website creation, so we've created this section to fill you in on some of the processes and procedures.

Process Outline

Step 1: Introduction
We send a welcome packet and gather any necessary initial paperwork.

Step 2: Consultation
One or two of our team members will get with the client to discuss the project needs, such as site architecture, design, layout and, if applicable, any advanced functionality such as shopping carts and databases.

Step 3: Mock-Up
Our expert designers get to work on the design of the website and send for proofing.

Step 4: Build
Bent Purpose Multimedia's team of developers begins building out the website according to client's specifications discussed in the initial consultation.

Step 5: Status Consultation
At the mid-way point of development, we will consult with the client on the status of the project.

Step 6: Testing
Developers thoroughly test the site to ensure proper functionality.

Step 7: Review
Upon completion of testing, we will review the finalized website with the client for launch approval.

Step 8: Launch
Once the website is approved, we will push it live to the Internet and then discuss any marketing strategies with the client.

Process Specifics

Step 1 - We take this time to get to know the client and their purpose(s) for having a website. This helps us define our strategies during the design and marketing processes.

Step 2 - An initial scope of work to be done is created and aligned with a project cost estimate. We require a development contract and deposit before proceeding with the mock-up phase. Once the contract is signed, no changes may be made to the initial project scope (such as, adding an extra page, adding Flash animation, etc). Changes will be assessed upon completion of the project. (This helps us work more quickly and more efficiently, and keeps us from having to recreate documents many times). If the client would like to see designs prior to signing a contract or paying a deposit, we can arrange a memorandum of engagement which calls for a $325 retainer fee for three (3) unique mock-ups. The retainer fee is non-refundable once the design process has begun. Should a design result in a contract-signing, the retainer fee will be applied toward the deposit. Otherwise, the mock-ups are the client's to keep and use freely.

Step 3 - Three (3) mock-ups will be designed in graphic format for viewing purposes only. These are not actual websites, and thus will not contain functional text, buttons, or menu items. Minor changes can be made to the mock-ups (i.e. you like the layout of one design, but the colors of another OR you want a different font style). Major changes, including entirely new designs will incur additional fees.

Step 4 - We must have received all website content, including any text, photographs, menu items, etc. prior to this step. We do not check for spelling or grammatical errors in client-submitted website content, so please make sure to assess these issues prior to submission. No content or design changes will be accepted during this period. (Again, this helps the process go much more smoothly.)

Step 6 - Our testing includes cross-browser/cross-platform performance, U.S. Section 508(c) compliance (if applicable), current web standards compliance, server load-testing (if necessary), and any site-specific functionality. Client-requested testing methods may or may not incur additional fees.

Step 7 - We upload the fully functional website to our development server and send the client a URL where testing and error-checking can be done by the client. The client will notify us of any errors, which will be corrected immediately. Modifications to the website design/content/structure that were discussed after contract-signing that were not implemented are not considered errors and will be reviewed post-launch.

Step 8 - By this point, we will have already discussed/resolved the website domain name and hosting status', and the website will be launched to the client-specified domain name on the appropriate server. If the client is providing an outside hosting company, we will require FTP (File Transfer Protocol) information in order to upload the website. The specific items we need are the host (the domain name in most cases, but not always), the username and the password, which are available from the client's hosting provider. For your security, hosting providers will not allow us under any circumstance obtain this information for the client. If you are hosting with Bent Purpose Multimedia, disregard FTP attainment, as we will already have access.