For larger sites that require custom features and development, as in programming, goes as follows:

• The client meets with a salesperson, either in person or via phone/email and shares the basic site info– the stuff we had in the first section of this guide
• The client tentatively chooses the firm or company to perform the work based on reputation and track record
• The salesperson and client will finalize some technical decision including content management system, hosting, and some of the other things previously mentioned in this guide and matches the customer to one of the service offerings their company does
• The salesperson may contact the company’s programmers and designers to flush out any details that need to be solved before actual work can start on the project. Client may sign a contract or agree to spend a small amount on research and analysis to further define the work
• Depending on the size of the project, some initial research and analysis may have to be done.  A detailed technical proposal will be presented to the client.
• The  price is agreed upon, where the client pays half up front and half upon delivery of the completed site
• Client sends developer any graphics files or content requested
• Programmers set up a testing and staging site to build the website on
• A visual designer (may be a different person) creates a mock-up. A mock-up a graphical image to show what the site could look like; it usually includes navigation, logos, background images… Depending on how large the project is, client may purchase multiple mock-ups and pick the direction they’d like to go in
• After an initial mock-up is chosen, the client may request to see specific updates or design decisions *note* Initial mock-ups may be rough and purposely unfinished. Additionally, some clients provide designers wire frames to specify exactly where menu-items and other website elements should be.
• Client, with developer input will choose a theme or template for the look of their site
• The team creates the a fully functional site on the dead testing server (the testing and staging site)
• Shows it to the client – edits are made
• The client approves it, it can be put on its final hosting destination
• The remaining payment is paid and the initial contract is completed and a support or maintenance contract may be created and the deal is completed .
• For almost all large website projects, some maintenance and upgrades will be required. They either have to be done internally by the client or by separate maintenance contract.

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