While every project has its similarities, we treat each one as a separate entity and need to make sure that we cover every angle, and that the client knows exactly what they are getting. To that end we make a point of delivering and developing a detailed specification for both us, and you as a client.

So while some smaller sites are almost predictable, a large project has to be taken seriously. We are well aware than some companies send over a price on a half page fax, we would rather know what we are letting ourselves in for!

To elaborate on this I have included below the index page from an initial proposal for a recent project. This is a big project that needed every one of the 26 pages and 12,500+ words to explain and clarify how the site will work.

Obviously not every project needs this much, but then some have run to 45 pages!

Don't be scared of by this. Rather think of this as the plans for a new house. If your architect turned up with a sketch on an envelope you would not be happy!

CONTENT FROM AN WEBSITE PROPOSAL FOR A SOCIAL NETWORK SITE

Contents

• SPECIFICATION FOR THE XXXXXXXXXXXXX COMMUNITIES SITE 2
• OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECT 2
• SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY I3MEDIA INTERACTIVE 2
• FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS 2
• OVERVIEW OF STRUCTURE & FUNCTIONALITY 3
• FEATURES LIST 3
• DATABASE REQUIREMENTS 4
• SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION 4
• CONTROL PANEL ABILITIES 6
• COSTING | OVERVIEW 7
• SUPPORT 8
• DOMAINS AND HOSTING 8
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 9
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES 14
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - ECOMMERCE 15
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - HOSTING 18
• Types of hosting 19
• Email facilities 19
• Fees and billing 19
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - DOMAIN NAMES 20
• What is a domain name? 20
• Registering a domain name 20
• Fees 20
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - SITE MONITORING 21
• The concept of site monitoring 21
• Delivery of visitor statistics 21
• Fees 21
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - SEARCH ENGINE STRATEGIES 21
• Overview 21
• Search engine fundamentals 22
• Site optimisation 22
• Pay per click 23
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - ACCESSIBILITY 23
• What is web accessibility? 23
• TECHNICAL GUIDELINES - PROJECT LIFECYCLE 24
• 1 Scope determination 24
• 2 Proposal 24
• 3 Contract 24
• 4 Development 24
• 5 Look and feel 24
• 6 Prototype 25
• 7 Quality assurance 25
• 8 Launch 25