This is the first in a series of seven articles on how to run a web development business.

Before the contract is signed, it is important for the web development team to do their homework. Send the clients a short survey to gather information, as well as a brief overview of how the process will progress.

After the survey is returned, schedule a meeting to ask more questions, toss out ideas, and mostly listen. After this meeting, the web development team should come up with a proposal contract.

After the contract is signed, the team should compile a list of content that must be included, research competitors’ sites, as well as any other sites that might have appropriate content and design ideas.

At this point, the team should present the client with an overall site hierarchy, as well as a desired flow of traffic through the site.

Here is a summary of the first step:

1. Clients receive a survey and process description
2. Conduct a needs analysis meeting
3. Take time to brainstorm
4. Propose a contract
5. Perform an analysis of the competition
6. Create a site map and flow chart