Website Development Process

THE DETAILS:

Step 1: You fill out our Interest Form

• If you haven’t already done so, fill out our Interest Form.
• Review these materials.

Step 2: We set up an initial meeting on Zoom

• Designated person(s) will meet with the Activate Iowa team over Zoom to discuss the scope, process and cost of services available.
• If you are interested in marketing email services (Mailchimp, MailerLite etc.), the team will go over those services as well.
• We will be available for follow up questions by email, phone or text.

Step 3: You let us know that you’ve received any necessary authorization, such as Board Approval, to move forward

• The County Party will review all of the information and get authorization to proceed with the project. In addition:
• Once you have decided to go forward with website development and/or marketing email setup, you will verify your participation in an email.

Step 4: You fill out the Pink Form with some basic information to get us both started – including choosing your template.

After receiving authorization, we will send you an email with a link to your Pink Form. Enter  your choices for Steps 4–7 on the online Pink Form. Timeline to assemble the information & send to us: 7 days

• You decide on a domain name for your website, for example, nameofcountydems.org. We complete the domain name registration at Namecheap. We can also migrate an existing domain name from another company.
• You decide with your team on 3 email address names you’d like (e.g. chair@, secretary@, info@)
• You choose your template. We have 14 home page options available. Choose the home page option you like. All of the images on the current site may be replaced with images specific to your county. Or, you may keep the images we have in place – they are copyright compliant.
• Upload your logo or tell us to begin designing one. Find a version of your logo that is as hi-resolution as possible. If you want us to create a logo, let us know and we will begin working with you on the design. If we are designing for you, you’ll indicate if you have something in mind.

Step 5: Activate Iowa completes domain name registration and sets up your new site.

Timeline: 4-7 days

Step 6: We set up a Zoom or phone meeting to finish your customization choices

• We do this one together
• During this meeting we will go over your edits and preferences page by page.  Timeline: The sooner this is completed, the sooner we can create your website.
• Before Your Website Walkthrough — have these ready:
• Your donation link (ActBlue, PayPal, etc.) & social media addresses / links
• Prepare any new content you’d like to add. For instance, new language on the Home page; specific volunteer opportunities on the Volunteer page; a mission statement for About page etc.
• Executive Committee members and other leadership positions & Central Committee membership list if desired
• Photos associated with your county party that you want on the site  – to be emailed to us at admin@activateiowa.org

Step 7: Activate Iowa customizes your website using the choices you’ve made

• Our team will incorporate your customizations. We will also have conversations with you if we have additional questions. Timeline: 2-5 days

Step 8: Activate Iowa proofreads your site then you proofread it

• Our team does an initial proofread — please also have a couple of people from your county review the content and test the links. Timeline: 3-5 days

Step 9: You will pay us

• Once the website is live and complete, we will invoice you and accept full payment in the form of a check made payable to “Activate Iowa”, mail payment to Gerene Denning, 1146 Oakes Dr, Iowa City, Iowa 52245. There may be other payment methods available in the future.

Step 10: Activate Iowa offers training

We will set up Zoom training for your designated website administrators. The first priority is learning how to add Calendar entries. The Activate Iowa team will always be available if you get stuck! Timeline: 7-14 days

Step 11: You will tell the world about your new site!

Let people know through social media and your email lists about your new website. Be sure to include the website information in any new publications. Timeline: ongoing

Step 12: Post-launch Support

The Activate Iowa team will help train you and also get you out of a bind if issues arise. Timeline: ongoing