One step at a time, all of it in the open
Here's every step of a project: what happens in it, what you'll see, what I need from you, and when money changes hands. No black boxes and no surprise invoices.
$ webfoot process
✔ Price before work? Always, in writing
✔ Preview while building? From day one
✔ Surprise invoices? Never
✔ After launch? Still here
Waddling along… quack.
$
Every step
How a project waddles from first call to launch day, and what happens after.
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step 1
A free first conversation
You tell me about your organization, who the site or software is for, and what's not working today. I ask a lot of questions and tell you honestly whether I'm the right fit.
- You'll see
- Straight answers in plain language, including "you don't need custom software for that" when that's true.
- I need from you
- A rough idea of your goals, your current website or tools, and your budget range.
- Cost
- Free, with no obligation.
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step 2
A written proposal with a fixed price
Before any work starts, you get a written proposal: what I'll build, what's included and what isn't, the price, the payment schedule and a timeline. If anything is unclear, we fix the wording before you sign.
- You'll see
- Every page, feature and add-on listed, with its price. No vague line items.
- I need from you
- A yes, a no, or questions. Saying no is completely fine.
- Cost
- One-time builds: half to start, half at launch. Monthly plan: $0 down. Custom software: paid by stage, as set out in the proposal.
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step 3
Content and planning
We map out every page or screen and gather what goes on them: text, photos, logos, service times, staff bios. For software, we walk through how your team works today, step by step.
- You'll see
- A simple site map or feature list, so we agree on what's being built before it's designed.
- I need from you
- Your content and photos, in a shared folder. Need words written? Copywriting is a $150 add-on.
- Cost
- Covered by your plan.
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step 4
Design
You review real page designs, not gray wireframes, so you know exactly what you're getting. We walk through them together on a screen share and refine them until they're right.
- You'll see
- Full designs of your key pages, on desktop and phone.
- I need from you
- Honest feedback. "I don't love it" is useful; tell me why and we'll fix it.
- Cost
- Covered by your plan.
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step 5
Build, in the open
I write the code by hand. You get a private preview link on day one of building, and it updates as I work, so you can click through progress whenever you like. Software is built in stages, each one usable.
- You'll see
- The live preview, plus regular plain-language updates on what's done, what's next and anything that needs your input.
- I need from you
- Quick answers to questions, and a look at the preview when I ask.
- Cost
- No surprises. If you ask for something outside the proposal, I quote it in writing first, and you decide.
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step 6
Testing and your sign-off
I test on phones, tablets and computers, check speed and accessibility, and make sure every form and link works. Then you review the finished work and sign off before anything goes live.
- You'll see
- The finished site or software on the preview link, plus a short checklist of what was tested.
- I need from you
- A final review and your approval to launch.
- Cost
- Covered by your plan.
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step 7
Launch
We go live together. I handle the domain, DNS, security certificate and hosting, and stay close for the first days in case anything needs a tweak.
- You'll see
- Your site live on your domain, and a short guide to anything you'll update yourself.
- I need from you
- Access to your domain, if you already own one.
- Cost
- One-time builds: the second half is due at launch.
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step 8
After launch
I stick around. Send a change request any time: new photos, updated times, a new page or a new feature. You'll always know whether it's included or billable before I start.
- You'll see
- Every request tracked from "got it" to "done", and an itemized invoice for anything billable.
- I need from you
- Just the request, by email or the contact form.
- Cost
- Monthly plan: edits included. One-time build: $50/hour, 1-hour minimum, quoted before I start.
What transparency means here
Plenty of studios say they're transparent. These are the specific things you can hold me to.
The price comes first
You see a fixed, written price before any work starts. Any change to the scope is quoted in writing before I do it.
You can see the work at any time
A private preview link from the first day of building. No waiting weeks for a big reveal.
Plain-language updates
What's done, what's next and what I need, without the jargon.
Itemized invoices
Every invoice says exactly what it's for. Hourly work shows the hours.
Bad news travels fast
If something will take longer or cost more than planned, you hear it from me first, with options, before it happens.
Straight to the person doing the work
No account managers or hand-offs. You talk to the person writing your code.
Your content is yours
Your words, photos and logos always belong to you. With a one-time build, you own the finished site outright.
No trap doors
The monthly plan has a 6-month minimum, then it's month to month. The terms are in the proposal before you sign.
Ready for step one?
It starts with a free conversation. Tell me about your organization and what you need, and I'll reply within two business days.