In order to be accessible to the public via the Web,
your files must reside on a server. Sometimes sites are hosted
on the company's own server, but for smaller organizations or individuals,
this can be far too costly. That's where webhosts fit in! Webhosting
companies rent space on their own servers, usually for a monthly,
quarterly or yearly fee.
If you need help in finding a hosting service, FSP
will gladly provide some company names for you to consider. Or,
if you'd rather put us in charge of the process, we'll come up with
a list of choices, make our recommendations, and -- once you've
made the final decision -- we'll make sure you're all set up.
You might even wish to host your site with us! We
can offer you extremely reasonable rates, and one of the best hosting
packages you'll find. Just let us know your above preference and
we will happily make all arrangements necessary to get you installed
in your new home.
Domain Registration
Whether your site is for a business, a nonprofit,
or a personal site, nothing will show your commitment to the Web
as your own domain. An address such as "yoursite.com"
gives quite a different impression than "geohosts.com/~yoursite."
Registering a domain is not a difficult process, but
some people do find it intimidating. If you wish us to take care
of this for you, we are glad to help!
You've decided to hire FSP and agreed to our
quote. What's next?
One
of our designers will get in contact with you to discuss further details
and ideas about the site. At that point, we will create a Work Agreement
outlining the project as we understand it, describing exactly what you
can expect from the FSP team, and giving you a heads-up on what we'll
need from you in return (for example, your content and/or logos). We'll
ask you to pay a deposit on the design cost, usually 25 - 50%, to show
good faith. (Find out more about our pricing and billing
policy.)
This is when the design stage truly begins in earnest. We will
create several designs for you to examine, sending you the links
to the test sites housed on our servers. The designs will be depicted
through static images (i.e., not actual pages). Once you choose your preferred
design template, you may have suggestions or "tweaks" that you'd
like to see implemented before we create the first Web page.
At
this point, we'll need you to send us all the text to be included in
your site, as well as any images you may wish to add. If your text is
in a brochure or word processing document, we'll preserve your formatting
as much as possible while still optimizing it for a Web audience.
Once the content has been added, you'll have the opportunity
to examine the site carefully and make sure that everything has been
placed to your satisfaction.
At
last your site will be uploaded to your server (or your webhost's server
-- see the left-hand sidebar for more information). While copyright
information remains in our name until we receive final payment on your
site, the site will be live on your own address -- available to viewing
by your clients, colleagues, family and friends.
You'll receive your invoice for the amount due (less the amount of the
deposit you paid, of course). Once your payment has been received, we
will change all copyrights to reflect your (or your organization's) ownership
of the site, its contents and images.
MAINTENANCE: Over the next few weeks and months, there may well
be updates, maintenance issues, and other changes to the site you wish
us to make. For the first two months after your site goes live, all site
edits and technical changes are free of charge! (After those initial two
months, modifications will be billed at our hourly rate, which will vary
depending on the type of change requested.)
One
of our designers will get in contact with you to discuss further details
and ideas about the site. At that point, we will create a Work Agreement
outlining the project as we understand it, describing exactly what you
can expect from the FSP team, and giving you a heads-up on what we'll
need from you in return (for example, your content and/or logos). We'll
ask you to pay a deposit on the design cost, usually 25 - 50%, to show
good faith. (
create several designs for you to examine, sending you the links
to the test sites housed on our servers. The designs will be depicted
through static images (i.e., not actual pages). Once you choose your preferred
design template, you may have suggestions or "tweaks" that you'd
like to see implemented before we create the first Web page.
At
this point, we'll need you to send us all the text to be included in
your site, as well as any images you may wish to add. If your text is
in a brochure or word processing document, we'll preserve your formatting
as much as possible while still optimizing it for a Web audience. 
At
last your site will be uploaded to your server (or your webhost's server
-- see the left-hand sidebar for more information). While copyright
information remains in our name until we receive final payment on your
site, the site will be live on your own address -- available to viewing
by your clients, colleagues, family and friends. 
MAINTENANCE: Over the next few weeks and months, there may well
be updates, maintenance issues, and other changes to the site you wish
us to make. For the first two months after your site goes live, all site
edits and technical changes are free of charge! (After those initial two
months, modifications will be billed at our hourly rate, which will vary
depending on the type of change requested.)