Website Building Steps

These are the steps we use for our Flexible Website Package:

Learning about Internet marketing, organizing and fundraising: The internet marketing plan is more important than the website and should be the guide to the website’s structure and content. At any time during the website-building process we strongly urge our clients to become familiar with the tools and techniques that draw visitors to a website. Some options:

• Read more about our approach to internet marketing at www.webtraxstudio.com under the “Resources” menu item.
• Read a great book called “Online Marketing Inside Out” by Brandon Eley and Shayne Tilley. Ask us about other excellent books like “Raising Thousands (if Not Tens of Thousands) of Dollars With Email” by Madeline Stanionis.
• Take our mini-course on internet marketing taught by Avery Cohen of Metrist Partners. Learn how to plan and implement a professional web marketing strategy at a fraction of its normal cost. Get personal instruction on advanced SEO, Google Analytics, email campaigns, AdWords, online fundraising, pay per click, key phrases, web writing, social networking and more. More details at www.webtraxstudio.com/resources/internet-marketing-class

Choosing a website package: WebTrax Studio will send clients a PDF of the Flexible Website Package (this document) and the Social Media Website Package. We can discuss both packages at our first meeting.

Getting acquainted meeting: Either in-person or via teleconference. WebTrax Studio and the client will determine if the Flexible Website Package is appropriate. WebTrax Studio will provide an overview of methods and services and answer questions.

Proposal and Work Order: Based on information from the first meeting WebTrax Studio will send the client a PDF of the Proposal and Work Order. The signed Work Order and Terms will be the 2-part contract. The client must initial each page, sign the last page, and return both printed documents to WebTrax Studio. Once the contract and the 50% deposit is received, WebTrax Studio will begin work.

Website planning meeting preparation: In anticipation of our initial planning meeting, WebTrax Studio suggests clients gather the following information if available:

• Your domain name registration information (company and logins)
• Website menu structure (first draft of top level links and sublinks)
• Rough draft or an outline of the text you want on the home page
• First draft of key words and phrases
• Favorite photos for the home page
• Your logo (WebTrax Studio’s graphic designers can enhance a logo or create one)
• Brochure or any materials that show an existing branding (color scheme, style, type fonts, etc.)
• Calls to action (What do you want your site visitors to do? Call? E-mail? Join enewsletter? Attend an open house?)
• Essential content (What do you want your audience to find? What is the most essential part of the site your audience must see? Divide your audience into categories based on interests and needs.)
• Any other brainstorming ideas (content, layout, must-have functions, any other ideas are open for discussion)

Website planning meeting: Either in-person or via teleconference, the WebTrax Studio designer, the client, and any other professionals involved with the project will discuss website design, plan and implementation. We will summarize the principles of internet marketing at the meeting for clients who have not had a chance to study this beforehand.

Site diagram: WebTrax Studio designer will create a diagram of the proposed website’s home page layout. The diagram will be based on the results of the website planning meeting and other discussion between the client and our designer.

Select a template: The WebTrax Studio designer will select a couple of templates for the site, based on its functionality and style. WebTrax Studio will create a first draft of the home page design by combining the template and the home page diagram. Although this will be closer to the final website design, the actual website won’t look exactly like the PDF we send via email.

Programming and content entry: Once the Client approves a specific template, WebTrax Studio programmers will commence technical work (HTML/CSS coding, color adjustment, customized layout).

Entering site content: While technical work is in process, the client may begin entering content into Joomla’s administrative area. WebTrax Studio staff can do all or some of the content entry.

Joomla training: First, the client’s designated web administrator(s) will view the video “Joomla! 1.5 Essential Training with: Joseph LeBlanc” produced by Lynda.com which is $50 at amazon.com. Or, a copy can be viewed in the WebTrax Studio office. The important lectures are Introduction, Chapters 2 – 5 and Chapters 12 –13. Second, WebTrax Studio will do a hands-on training in our office or by phone. WebTrax Studio professionals are available for additional tech support.

E-newslettter: An e-newsletter is the most power tool for getting visitors to a website. We highly recommend an email list signup form on the website.  Learn more about the professional email services – iContact.com and ConstantContact.com. Vertical Response offers roughly the same service for free to 501c3 nonprofits.

Completion: Once content entry and technical work is complete, the client will review the website and identify changes needed. WebTrax Studio will make the technical changes. We encourage our client to make the text and simple changes.

Launching the site: Pending final approval WebTrax Studio will launch the site and turn control over to the client. After payment of the final invoice WebTrax Studio will turn over ownership of the web host account to the client.

Marketing the site: Turn your attention to attracting visitors to your new site. We’ll help you plan your next steps.