Procedure
If you want a web site built, here is how I generally proceed. Once you have contacted me, we will discuss the site you have in mind. There are lots of sites I will not want to build because of large size (number of pages) or large data base considerations or constant updating. I can update a site at least once a week, possibly 2 or 3 times a week. But I can't do this on a daily basis. Once we have agreed on certain aspects of your site, I will open a folder on this site under the name you have decided on. I don't ask for money up front, but I do need to know you are serious about this site. Therefore, If you don't already have a domain name, I will want you to buy one and enlist a host for it.

I will start to create the site that we agreed upon and you can view it while it is being built. Only you and I will know how to get to it unless you tell others how to get there. After I have created several pages I should have an idea about how much I want to charge for the site you have in mind. And you can see if things are going the way you envisioned. Feel free to tell me to make changes to your site. I want you to be happy, but there are suggestions I will make that I feel will make your site better for all. If we agree on the price, I will continue building your site. When it is finished or far enough along to be use on the Internet you will pay me either in full or a % of the site that is finished. Only then will the site be published to your domain.

Once complete, I will make changes to your site and keep track of time spent on the updating. You will have a running tab, and will be billed every so often.