Web Design Gallery: A Design Proposal Is The Blueprint
for the Site
For major projects, such as a new site or major
rework, we develop detailed proposals. The proposal
serves two functions. One, it establishes the scope
of work and explains everything we intend to do. Two,
it outlines the technology where we employ tools to
accomplish site specific tasks. The proposal serves
as a guideline for building the system and installing
the tools.
Below is a sample proposal. Only the client's name
has been changed.
I. Statement of Work
Develop
an Internet Site for the City. Create a clean, organized
site similar in style and scope to City2. Develop
a consistent theme with the city logo, headings, and
buttons. Provide an on line "community calendar" which
can be updated by official city personnel and displayed
on the Internet. Provide an "Interactive Form" where
people can leave messages and receive replies.
II.
Site Name Registration
A.
Registering the Domain Name
We
recommends reserving the top level domain name "city.org"
which is available at this time. The often used "ci.city.ca.us"
can be pointed in to the main site so users familiar
with this name can still find the site. Having the name
of the city, with a .org extension is good situation
and should be reserved immediately. This is a similar
web presence we established for the city of Placentia.
B.
Email Addressing
Top
level domain names allows you to use your domain name
in your email. In this case it may be administration@city.org.
Domain level email addressing gives a consistent professional
look in the Internet community.
III.
Web Site Design
A.
Site Design
The
site will contain the information from the existing
site as well as additional information from the city.
In the case of Cypress we divided the site along city
departments. Internet sites for cities are an excellent
opportunity to provide often requested information on
the web. Typically a city web site will be divided approximately
six major sections with 8 to 10 pages per section.
B.
Design Methodology
It
is essential to establish a polished and professional
look for the City of Villa Park. Mills Group Multimedia
will establish a temporary area, out of view from the
general public, to post design concepts for client approval.
We will begin by creating three versions of the site
main page. Upon approval of the strongest concept we
will develop a consistent look for section headings,
logo, footers and buttons.
C.
Site Content
With
an approved consistent look established the next step
is to add content to the site. Generally clients will
gather existing materials (pamphlets, forms, papers,
photographs) and send them to us. We take the materials
and ready them for the site. The content is then parsed
out into individual web pages and assembled in a hierarchy
which is easy to understand and to navigate. Site content
is added to pages which have a consistent theme and
look in terms of headers, footers and accent graphics
like buttons and bullets.
D.
Developing the Site
Upon
name registration we will establish the site. Generally
we will put up an "under construction" page which announces
the site will be coming soon. Then we begin to post
the site pages behind the scenes so only us and our
client can see the pages. This allows the client to
see the progress as we build the site. Together we review
the site on the phone during the building process. When
the site is complete we remove the "under construction"
page and insert the site main page in its place and
the site becomes open to the public. Throughout the
process the client is involved in the design process.
E.
On Line Calendar
We
will provide an on line Calendar on the site. The
calendar looks like a traditional calendar with events
posted on individual days. Click on an event will
show a second page giving details such as location,
time, itinerary.
Official
city personnel will be provided with a username and
password for the calendar. City personnel will be
able to access the calendar and add, delete, and modify
events using a simple web page interface. The events
will be posted to the site so users can see (but not
modify) the community calendar.
F.
Interactive Form
Internet
technology allows for communication forums. We will
provide an interactive form (often called a guest
book) which allows for an open exchange of information
between the city and its citizens. The interactive
form will act as an on line meeting area to develop
a sense of community using Internet communication.
Official
city personnel will be provided with a username and
password for the interactive form. City personnel
will be able to access the form and add, delete, and
modify messages.
IV.
Web Site Hosting
A.
Internet Software
We
own co-located servers that resides at Vitalstream.
We maintain a small group of selected clients on our
server. Owning our server allows us to offer high end
software systems on the web. Features such as on line
calendars require significant server side programming
and knowledge.
B.
Benefits of Hosting
Web
hosting clients take advantage of a range of Internet
technologies not available through other hosting services.
We are Internet programming specialists. Our hosted
sites include features other ISPs do not offer such
as e-commerce, auctions, interactive pages, discussion
forums, calendars. These systems require server side
programming. Because we own the platform we routinely
deploy these systems for our hosting clients.
V.
Compensation and Terms (Site Design)
A.
Compensation
We
agree to design and install the web site and administrative
functions described above for the fee of $XXX inclusive
of the following:
1.
All Design and Layout described above
2.
All Programming described above
3.
Installation of web pages and programs on target web
server.
4.
Marketing the Site with Search Engine Listing
B.
Terms
1.
Deposit - XXX prior to starting work
2.
Progress Payment - XXX upon site completion and buy
off
3.
Final Payment - XXX thirty days after site completion
VI.
Compensation and Terms (Hosting)
A.
Hosting Compensation
1.
Site Name Registration and Set Up: XXX (one time)
2.
Internet Corporate Web Hosting: XXX / month
3.
Pointer for second domain name: XXX / month
B.
Hosting Terms
1.
Payable 6 months in advance by check, or
2.
Payable monthly by credit card
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