TC Websites - Website Planner Form

Step-By-Step Planner & Guide

Successful websites are built on strategy and planning; this guide will help outline your requirements and goals. Whether you're building a website for your business or your organization, you need to start with a plan. An effective plan starts with quality information, and to get quality information you need the right questions. Use this planner to help nail down your website goals and collect the materials necessary for web development.

Getting Started: The Web Design Process

1.) Planning & Strategy
We start the process by having you fill out this website planner form. This form gathers information about your company, services, audience, purpose, site goals and more. This planner will also give you a full outlook of how you see your website, and how we find out your objectives and goals for your project. We will give you as much time as you need to review the planner and answer all of the questions asked. We use this information to help us deliver an accurate quote.  This will also help us in the future if you decide to accept our proposal.

2.) Website Design Proposal
After you have finished with this web planner form, we will gather the information and draw up a proposal for your approval.

3.) Agreements / Deposits
If our proposal for your website development is accepted, we will require half the full amount as a deposit. Along with an invoice, we will send you a contract. The contract will state the project amount, terms and agreement, and other miscellaneous items.

4.) Domain Name Registration
If you have chosen a domain name to register for your website, we will register it at this time.

5.) Collecting Your Materials
Now is the time to start collecting materials for your website. Anything that you can provide to help us design your website will help. This includes, but is not limited to; brochures, business cards, and photos from your business. The more information and materials with which you provide us, the quicker your project will be completed and the better the overall results.

6.) Mockup Sites and Sample Layouts
We will put together some mockup websites and designs for your company to critique and discuss. If you have requested a logo design, this usually comes before anything else. At this point we're trying to narrow down exactly what you're looking for in terms of design and layout. Your feedback is essential in the web design process and is welcome at any time.

7.) Content
Once a final design is chosen we will start building your site. This will include placing content you have provided into each page.

8.) Scripting & Databases
If you requested any special scripting (contact / feedback forms, databases, content management, reservation systems, etc.) then we will integrate the scripting into your website.

9.) Web Site Completion and Debugging
After you have reviewed the website, and everything is in correct order, we will start by reviewing the site ourselves. We will check website load time, browser testing, resolution testing and the overall optimal performance of your site.

10.) Site goes "Live"
Your site is published for the world to see! You can now start advertising your website: tell friends, business acquaintances and publish print material with your website address.

11.) Site Optimization & Online Marketing
Your site is optimized so that we can correctly market your website. We will use the keywords and descriptions of your site that you have gave us in your planner. We will then start by submitting your website to search engines.

Customer Profile

Name:
Email:
Phone:

A) Please briefly describe your company or organization so we can learn more about it.

B) What is your mission statement?

C) What is the type of industry of your business?

D) How is business generated?

E) Who are your customers?

Web Site Goals

A) What is your main objective for your website?

B) What do you think are the goals of visitors to your site? (List in order of importance if applicable)

C) What are your immediate (short term) goals for the site?

D) What are your long term goals for the site?

E) How will you measure the success of the site?
Examples: Number of visitors to the site? Number of sales? Number of people who sign up for your newsletter? Number of people who contact you to work for them? Other?

Your Competitors & Favorite Sites

Looking at other websites is a great way to come up with ideas for the style and structure of your site. Seeing what your competitors have done is a great way to improve your image over theirs. Please list any competitors websites or websites with design similar to the site you would like to have us build and let us know your thoughts on them.

A) Site #1
Name of Site:
Website Address:

Review their website, what do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? How can we make a better site?

B) Site #2
Name of Sites:
Website Address:

Review their website, what do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? How can we make a better site?

C) Site #3
Name of Site:
Website Address:

Review their website, what do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? How can we make a better site?

Website Content

What content, if any, do you already have for your site (text, images, logos, etc)?

What content do you want that will need to be created?

Do you know what pages you'd like created for your site?
Typical pages include homepage, contact information page, product or service page(s), about/bio page, etc.

Web Site Maintenance

A) On average, how often will new content be added and/or updated to your website?

Web Site Hosting

Web hosting is how your website is stored 24 hours 7 days a week so it is always accessible by internet users. You can use a current host, create your own hosting account, or we can host your site for you. Hosting with us includes free email at you@yourdomain.com, support, and free setup. Our hosting charge is $60 per year. If you have any questions we'd be happy to answer them.

A) Are you interested in web hosting?

No, I already have a web host who will host my website

Domain Name Registration

The main reason for using a Domain Name (i.e. yahoo.com or cnn.com) is that they are easy for your visitors or customers to remember and find your site. Another advantage of having a domain name is that you will most likely never lose it, and that it will also give you lifetime email access (you@yourdomain.com). You may check the availability of your domain name through http://www.register.com/register-domain-names.rcmx. Domain Name Registering prices change but are typically around $10-$15 a year.

I have an existing domain name
I intend to buy a domain name
I don't want a domain name

If you would like to purchase a domain, what are your preferences? Again, you can check at http://www.register.com/register-domain-names.rcmx for domain name availability. If you don't have access to the internet at the moment, just think of some domains that you may be interested in.

1st Choice : Available? Yes Not Sure
2nd Choice: Available? Yes Not Sure
3nd Choice: Available? Yes Not Sure