The process of developing your website is divided into 3 stages:

   STAGE 1. Discussion & Proposal
   STAGE 2. Contract & Retainer for Design Work, and Execution of Design Work
   STAGE 3. Contract & Retainer for Development Work, and Execution of Development Work

Your website is designed in stages. I will provide a you with a written contract that breaks the site design process down into groups of tasks, with a logical division so that you and I can both tell for certain when a stage is finished.

Each stage will have a specific fee attached to it for work completed in that stage. The fee for each stage of work is dependent upon the tasks to be competed in that stage, and on whether or not there are software extension items to be paid for in that stage. I bill by the task, not by the hour. My billing rate is based on the average number of hours it takes me to complete a given task. If it takes me longer, then you aren't out of pocket for extra development hours.

The fee for each stage of work is payable in advance. It acts as a retainer, and is refundable if you are not satisfied. You only pay for the second stage when you are satisfied with the first stage, and then the retainer on the first stage is no longer refundable. My payment policy is designed to ensure that: a) your monetary risk remains low; and b) I get paid for work that I have completed to your satisfaction.

NOTE: Website packages are payable in one stage.

STAGE I - DISCUSSION & PROPOSAL

What happens: This where you and I talk together about what want your website to look like, and what functions you want it to have. This phase is critical, because it is during our talks that I will be able to get a clear picture of what you really need - and - just as importantly - what you don't need.

I use what I learn from you to create a proposal for you that outlines the scope of work to be done and the total cost to you at each stage of the project. At this time, you will review the proposal and either approve it, or suggest changes.

When you have approved the proposal, we will move along to Stage II - Contract & Retainer for Design Work, and Execution of Design Work.

STAGE II - CONTRACT & RETAINER FOR DESIGN WORK, AND EXECUTION OF DESIGN WORK

In the Design stage, you and I work together to get the appearance - the "look" of your site working just the way you want. I want you to LOVE your site, and I need your ideas and feedback in order to create exactly the look you want. This stage requires lots of give-and-take.

At this point, I require two things:

1. retainer for Design Work; &
   
2. an original signed version of the contract by mail (not scanned or faxed)

Note that your payment for the Design Stage and stages thereafter indicates your intent to go forward with the project, even if I have not yet received your signed contract.

What happens: I will post your site at a temporary web address so you can go there whenever you want to take a look and monitor what's happening. You should feel free to contact me to discuss what you see and suggest changes. I will implement your changes (or explain to you why what you want may not be a good idea), and you can then provide more feedback. We will work together until you are satisfied with the basic look of your site.

When you have approved your website's design, we will move along to Stage III - Contract & Retainer for Development Work, and Execution of Development Work.

STAGE III - CONTRACT & RETAINER FOR DEVELOPMENT WORK, AND EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT WORK

In the Development stage, I will be adding the content you have provided to your website.

At this point, I require payment of the retainer for Development Work.

What happens: The first thing I do is to simultaneously add content to your website and create a logical way for visitors to navigate your site. After that,  I will  install and configure any extension items specified in our contract.