Step 1: Designing the site’s architectural blueprint

The first step sets the stage for your website. After you share your goals and requirements with us, we develop design comps for your review. Based on your feedback, we create a final blueprint of your site design.

This step takes some careful consideration on your part. The site’s design acts as the framework for your navigation, graphics, images, copy and functionality. This is the stage your ideas for copy and images form. Some clients know exactly what images and wording they want used. Others rely on our experience to guide them. We’re happy to give our suggestions on images and color schemes that we think would work best. We can also recommend talented website copywriters if needed.

Step 2: Development and construction begins

With the final design blueprints approved, we move into the development stage. Web development is the backend coding that gives functionality to your website. This is an integral part of the process since the quality of the coding affects how your site looks and performs across operating systems and browsers.

It takes time to build functionality into your website. So much time that some developers take shortcuts in order to get the job done as quickly as possible. But this approach is like a mechanic who uses a can of Fix-a-Flat on a tire. It works for now, but it won’t for very long.

We abhor this lazy practice. We develop our code according to the latest established Web standards. Doing it right the first time results in code that is easier to maintain and will continue to function correctly as Internet technology evolves.

Step 3: Transfer your site files to the server and go LIVE!

With the design and development complete, it’s time to move the site files onto their hosting server. Your choice of website host shouldn’t be taken lightly. If the server where your website “lives” is down or compromised, your site will not be accessible on the Internet.

We maintain our own hosting service, OlneyWeb, to offer high quality, secure and affordable hosting for Red Letter Design clients only. You are not obligated in any way to use OlneyWeb, but for most clients, it’s the best option. We'll explain the details and help you decide what hosting service best fits your needs, whether it’s OlneyWeb or not.

Your domain name (yourbusiness.com) is your website’s address. It should be as close to your business name as possible and it’s even better if it includes a keyword (what people type into a browser to search for your business, service or product). We’re happy to help you pick and register your domain name. If you register the domain name yourself, make sure to note the renewal date to avoid someone else taking your name. Or you can have us take care of your domain registration and bill payment and avoid that worry.

Setting up your email accounts: A domain-based email address (you@yourbusiness.com) portrays a more professional image than a generic account such as Gmail, AOL, or Hotmail. We can establish your domain-based email account and even walk you through the process of setting it up in your email client (Outlook, Apple Mail, etc.).

Step 4: Updating and maintaining your website

It’s inevitable that as your business or organization changes, you’ll want to reflect those changes on your website. Internet technology and marketing mediums change too. For example, a website that hasn’t been updated in several years most likely isn’t equipped with social media links, etc.

The nature of your small business often determines how often updates and maintenance is required. However, we strongly encourage you to update it when necessary. Nothing says you’re not quite on the ball like a holiday offer on your homepage in July. That only undermines your website investment.

We don’t want the fear of cost to keep you from updating your website. We offer a variety of ongoing maintenance plans and quote prices in our proposals so there are no surprises and you can update as much or as little as you like.