As you have probably gathered by now, there is a great deal that goes into developing a successful Web site.  Starting with the initial planning, through marketing and maintaining the Web site, the entire process can be quite overwhelming.  Our step-by-step development process was designed to allow maximum communication between our staff and our Clients and to provide the highest levels of quality assurance while ensuring customer satisfaction.  We strongly believe that this process is a team effort and is only successful with open communication between the Client and Abke Publishing.

Our Design Process involves the following steps:

Services Offered
Pricing Information
Development Process
Work Request Form

This phase begins with you, the perspective Customer requesting a quote from Abke Publishing.  This can be done by filling out our online Work Request Form, sending us your requirements via email or by contacting us by telephone at 586-725-4038.

If you have used our Work Request Form or contacted us via email, once we receive your information, we will contact you by telephone and/or email to discuss your requirements in length.  The purpose of this consultation is to discuss your goals, target audience and to gather information so that we can effectively meet your requirements.

Before we begin any project, we focus on understanding our clients' goals to guide us in developing the most original, functional and cost effective design solutions.

After we have reviewed your requirements and have determined the most appropriate way to fulfill those requirements, we will submit to you a written bid agreement which specifically outlines are proposed plan of action.  This Bid is a detailed outline along with a cost breakdown of what is specifically included in our quote.  When you receive a quote from Abke Publishing, that quote is a firm price of what your bottom line costs will be.  If at any time your requirements change and you specifically request changes and/or additions, we require your prior approval in writing before initiating the work involved to make changes.  At no time will you be billed for additional work unless you have specifically requested additional work be performed and that work has been pre-approved.

Once you receive our quote and have had the opportunity to review our proposed plan, you can either accept the bid as is or request additions/changes, etc. and we will requote on whatever is necessary.  Once we have come to a solution that meets your needs and you have approved this process, we require that you sign this Bid Agreement and return it to us within 30 days along with a 50% deposit of estimated design costs.  This 50% deposits ensures that if you should cancel the project while it is still underway, we will be paid for that portion of work completed and will transfer whatever is completed to you (or equivalent to amount of deposit).

Once we receive your deposit, we begin project initiation.  This phase begins with Research.  One of the most critical aspects of developing a successful Web site is understanding our Clients' target audience and evaluating their competition.  We gather all available data from the Client, the Internet and other resources so that we can better familiarize ourselves with the company's products, range of services and equally important, competition.  We also research any potential technical difficulties and limitations to observe a proactive approach to resolving issues before they arise.

This phase differs slightly dependant upon if your require Graphic Design, Illustration, 3D Modeling, Multimedia Presentations or if your requirements also include Web Design and Development.

Graphic Design Projects - We begin designing a prototype for your project.  These prototype images are uploaded to our Client Only section for your review.  You will be given special access to this section and are requested to review these images on a regular basis, make comments and give feedback accordingly so that we can develop a finished product you will be satisfied with.  Once you are satisfied with these images, we begin the Production Phase.  Please click here to jump to that section.

Web Development Projects - We design a model of the site which includes the items listed below.  We encourage your participation and feedback so that we can ensure your satisfaction with the overall design and functionality of the site.  We concentrate on functionality, creating an online environment that is usable and intuitive, meets your strategic goals and is tailored to your target audience. 

• Graphics Design/Site Layout

• Site Structure

• Content Architecture

• Functionality

Client is to review proposed design/layout and present their feedback.  Based on Client feedback, if necessary, we will make any necessary modifications and proceed to the next step.

Once Client has reviewed and approved these aspects of development, production begins. 

Full development of site begins.  We finalize design of all graphics, optimizing graphics accordingly, implementing major functional elements such as CGI/Perl scripting, databases, search engines, etc.  Inserting Metatags for search engine placement, implementing various search engine techniques throughout site to assist in higher search engine placement, creating robots.txt file, checking the site for typographical errors, punctuation and inconsistencies.  Once these elements have been verified, each page of the site is run through HTML validation and verified to be cross-browser compatible.

Final design is presented to Client for review and approval.  Once the site has been completed reviewed and approved by the Client, the remaining 50% payment balance is expected.  Upon receipt of final payment we will continue to the Implementation phase.

All graphics, scripting and HTML pages are uploaded and configured to Client's server.   Another check is performed to ensure accuracy on Client's server.  Client is requested to review the site and to give their final approval.

One of the most important aspects of a successful and profitable Web site is for it to be found.  A Web site is useless without an audience.  At Abke Publishing we go the extra step to ensure our Client's success by submitting your site to over 100 search engines, directories and portals.  Upon submission you will receive a report of the success of these submissions along with the search engines and directories your site was submitted to.

Many Web sites owners fail to recognize the importance of Web Maintenance.  An effective site is a site that gives your customers a reason to keep coming back.  Regular maintenance and updates may be necessary depending upon your business.  Included in all of our Web Development projects is 30 days of free Web Maintenance.  This maintenance includes content changes which may consist of text changes/updates, additions, newsfeeds, etc.  If you require ongoing maintenance, we can arrange a Web Maintenance Agreement to suit your needs.  Web Maintenance is charged at $30/hour with a one (1) hour minimum.

Ok, your site is complete, you are realizing the potential of the Internet and reaping the rewards of this wonderful media, now what... just because your Web site is complete... we don't stop there. 

We provide complete support to our clients including improvements with the latest technologies and any required updates.  The Internet is continually changing and there will come a point when your Web site will also need to change and grow to take advantage of these latest technologies. 

Do you have questions about a new technology or something new you've seen?  Have you seen a feature on another site that you think might benefit your site?  Do you need recommendations for another domain name or another Web Host?  Do you need recommendations on other ways of Marketing your site?  Do you just have general Internet questions?  Whatever your needs might be... contact us... we're here to help.