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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