10. OPTIMIZE IMAGES

Now that you have all of your pages laid out in Photoshop, it is time to cut out the images that you will use in the web page. A good rule of thumb is not to exceed 30K per page. Otherwise, your web page will take too long to load. Here area few more tips that you should follow:

1. Illustrations should be saved as a gif.
2. Photographs should be saved as a jpeg.
3. Keep the amount of colors in an image to a minimum.
4. Aliased images are smaller.
5. The more compression you apply to a jpeg - the smaller the image.

11. PROTOTYPE IT

Take your printed mockups and Flow Chart. Place them by your side and use them in order to layout your page. Create your pages so that they are all linked together. The following tips will help you organize your files.

1. Place all images in an images folder.
2. Place every section of your site in a separate file.
3. Structure your directories to roughly match your Flow Chart.
4. Make sure that your file names make sense (It is a good idea to have a company code in front of each file. For example, for XYZ Company's About Us page, I would use xyz_about.html.).
6. Have an archiving system in place in order to backup your files. Name your files accordingly in order to link all of your html files together in order to create a working prototype that the client can test.

12. TESTING PHASE

Before you send the prototype to your client, test out the usability of the site with friends that haven't been involved with this project. Write down all input that they can give to you - both good and bad. Also, try as many different browsers, plugins, and operating systems as the visitors are likely to use. Make sure to fix any problems that you find and make a mental note for further projects on what works and what doesn't.

After internally checking the site, upload the site to the host server to test out access speed, plugins, and configurations. When you are sure that things are in working order, it is time to let the client test out the prototype site. There will likely be several things that your client won't like. Listen carefully to your client and make sure to give merit to all suggestions that the client makes. Make sure to have the client sign off on the prototype in order to make the site live.

13. MAKE IT LIVE

Once the testing phase is complete, it is time to make the site live. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Inevitably, visitors will always find something that they aren't happy with. You should always give support to your newly launched sites for at least 2 to 4 weeks.

14. REVIEW AND INVOICE JOB

Now that you have completed the project it is time to fulfill your administrative duties. It is time now to review your time sheet. Add up all of the columns to calculate total hours spent on the project. Break this number into how many hours were spent on each phase of the project.

Make a copy of the time sheet for the client and create an invoice to reflect your agreed upon hourly fee. Always reference the client's purchase order number on your invoice. Otherwise, many Accounts Payable departments won't pay your invoice. If your client has not given you a PO# then you should contact him to make sure that there isn't a PO# linked to this project. Include all necessary information on your invoice. I always include the following:

1. Your logo, name, company name, address, and phone number
2. Client's Contact name, company name, address, and phone number
3. Purchase order date (date job was ordered)
4. Invoice date
5. Invoice number
6. Payment terms (for example, net 45 days)
7. Break down of how many hours were spent on each phase of the project
8. Add on expenses (Printing expenses - remember to add 10% - 15% markup)

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