Project Update
Good morning Fr Jegar and Al,
As we progress with your new website, we would like to give you an update on how the progress is going this week. Here are the three main stages of how your website is progressing.
As we progress with your new website, we would like to give you an update on how the progress is going this week. Here are the three main stages of how your website is progressing.
Design is 100% complete
Build is 70% complete
Content Migration is In Queue
As we continue progressing with the creation of your site, we are over the allotted budgeted amount of hours. Please keep in mind that some of the changes or requests may have changed the scope of the project.
- The Design was quoted 10 hours and we are currently at 17 hours
- The Build and Development was quoted at 30 hours and we are currently at 43
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out at any time.
Thank you!
- Alan Snodgrass
Web Consultant
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Alan,
What is the reason for the increase of hours? Also, what is being brought over from the old parish website? I really don't think I want much of the old site brought over.
What is the reason for the increase of hours? Also, what is being brought over from the old parish website? I really don't think I want much of the old site brought over.
Al Sandoval
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the update.
I have some new photos coming in and I wanted to see about updating some of the older stuff.
Can I send you those photos?
Or is this something we look at in the future.
Thanks.
Thanks for the update.
I have some new photos coming in and I wanted to see about updating some of the older stuff.
Can I send you those photos?
Or is this something we look at in the future.
Thanks.
Arthur Richardson
Good morning Fr. Jegar and Al,
Al - Yes, feel free to send those to Cody. Please note that attachments don't come through on Basecamp. You can send us a link to a google folder or send them in the body of an email.
Fr. Jegar - The build is taking longer than originally estimated because there were some elements that needed to be worked out. This was not foreseen in the original estimate. As for the design time, there were some changes and pivots to the logo in order to get it perfected that led to a little more time than originally estimated.
We can take a few hours off of the build time for you as we move forward.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777
Al - Yes, feel free to send those to Cody. Please note that attachments don't come through on Basecamp. You can send us a link to a google folder or send them in the body of an email.
Fr. Jegar - The build is taking longer than originally estimated because there were some elements that needed to be worked out. This was not foreseen in the original estimate. As for the design time, there were some changes and pivots to the logo in order to get it perfected that led to a little more time than originally estimated.
We can take a few hours off of the build time for you as we move forward.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777
Al Sandoval
Hi Arthur,
Sorry, can you copy Cody's email so I can capture it.
Thank you.
Sorry, can you copy Cody's email so I can capture it.
Thank you.
Cody Armock
Good Morning Al,
You can add those images in this Google Drive Folder and I will look there for migration.
Thank you,
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
You can add those images in this Google Drive Folder and I will look there for migration.
Thank you,
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Alan,
I have question in regards to what is being brought over from the old parish website. I don't believe I ever discussed this with anyone, so just wondering what is happening. Thanks!
I have question in regards to what is being brought over from the old parish website. I don't believe I ever discussed this with anyone, so just wondering what is happening. Thanks!
Fr Jegar Fickel
Also Alan,
How much longer do you believe this is going to take? I was under the impression it would be finished by now. I have staff getting antsy... lol
How much longer do you believe this is going to take? I was under the impression it would be finished by now. I have staff getting antsy... lol
Alan Snodgrass
Good afternoon Fr Jegar,
We definitely appreciate your patience and understand the anticipation throughout the parish to see the new website.
As we have been moving along, we were anticipating that at some point our busy season would end which would allow us to clear out our queues. However, it has continued to stay busy and we have added additional work.
We are nearing the homestretch of the project. The designs were already approved, and the development is also completed. Currently, I am seeing we need the approved sitemaps for the school and parish. I know you had mentioned very little was coming over from the parish website, but we have not received the school's approved sitemap.
Following receiving the approved sitemap, we can begin the content migration. Once the content is migrated over, we would be able to train you and Al on how to maintain and update the websites. After training, we can schedule the launch of the websites.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank you!
We definitely appreciate your patience and understand the anticipation throughout the parish to see the new website.
As we have been moving along, we were anticipating that at some point our busy season would end which would allow us to clear out our queues. However, it has continued to stay busy and we have added additional work.
We are nearing the homestretch of the project. The designs were already approved, and the development is also completed. Currently, I am seeing we need the approved sitemaps for the school and parish. I know you had mentioned very little was coming over from the parish website, but we have not received the school's approved sitemap.
Following receiving the approved sitemap, we can begin the content migration. Once the content is migrated over, we would be able to train you and Al on how to maintain and update the websites. After training, we can schedule the launch of the websites.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thank you!
- Alan Snodgrass
Web Consultant
877-923-0777
Al Sandoval
Hi Alan,
I am sorry, I may have missed an email about the site map approval.
Can you please share that with me, so I can approve it.
I appreciate it.
I am sorry, I may have missed an email about the site map approval.
Can you please share that with me, so I can approve it.
I appreciate it.
Cody Armock
Good Morning Fr. Jegar & Al,
This email was initially sent July 12th, but let me know when the Proposed Sitemaps have been looked over, edited, and approved!
My name is Cody Armock, and my role here in Diocesan's web department is as a content specialist. This means, that in addition to going over what areas of your current website are staying or going, I also help you find the most effective way to layout your website. I will be helping you in this process from now until the training before the launch of the site.
This not only helps us build you a website that is easier to edit and manage but also allows anyone visiting your website to accurately and consistently find the information for which they are looking.
Below are links to Google documents of your current and proposed sitemap. The current sitemap shows your current site's menu structure and flow. The proposed sitemap is what we suggest for your menu based on our previous experience and what would work best in terms of usability. The proposed sitemap is created to optimize the flow and look of your site.
You can edit the proposed sitemap however you would like, adding pages, removing pages, etc. The proposed sitemap will act as a guide for the content migration process. Please edit the document directly to ensure that the same edits stay throughout all versions and that the content migration process is accurate.
Church Sitemaps
Thank you for choosing Diocesan and we are very excited to work with you on creating a new website for you and the people of St. Mary & St Paul!
Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to hearing from you when the Proposed Sitemaps are approved,
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Cody
I edited the site map.
When it comes to "volunteer opportunities" could we have a form attached to each category allowing them to sign up? How do we go about making the form?
I edited the site map.
When it comes to "volunteer opportunities" could we have a form attached to each category allowing them to sign up? How do we go about making the form?
Cody Armock
Hello Fr. Jegar,
I replied to your comment on the Proposed Sitemap, but it boils down to that it would be better for all parties involved to have just a single form with all the opportunities on it that they can check the ones they want and have that linked from every page to a single page with it on there. That way things are consistent and the user does not have to fill out their name, email, phone number, etc. on several different opportunities they are interested in.
We will cover how to make forms in the second training and we can save this one for then and make it together, if you want.
So, are both sitemaps completed and approved then?
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
I replied to your comment on the Proposed Sitemap, but it boils down to that it would be better for all parties involved to have just a single form with all the opportunities on it that they can check the ones they want and have that linked from every page to a single page with it on there. That way things are consistent and the user does not have to fill out their name, email, phone number, etc. on several different opportunities they are interested in.
We will cover how to make forms in the second training and we can save this one for then and make it together, if you want.
So, are both sitemaps completed and approved then?
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Yes that’s what I was thinking. Same form, just available on each page. Can we change site map from out and at any time?
Cody Armock
Hello Fr. Jegar,
The sitemaps will be used for the content migration process that we would be starting very soon after the approval of the sitemaps. Once that process is started it is best to keep it the same. Once you get user accounts after the first training, you will be able to move things around and make/delete pages and that may affect the menu, but the sitemap is just meant for that initial migration.
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
The sitemaps will be used for the content migration process that we would be starting very soon after the approval of the sitemaps. Once that process is started it is best to keep it the same. Once you get user accounts after the first training, you will be able to move things around and make/delete pages and that may affect the menu, but the sitemap is just meant for that initial migration.
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Cody,
Site Map looks good.
To be Honest. I don't think I want anything transferred over from the old parish site.
Site Map looks good.
To be Honest. I don't think I want anything transferred over from the old parish site.
Cody Armock
Hello Fr. Jegar,
Is the school sitemap approved too?
With the parish, I can just make those pages in the order that they are right now, so that you can go in and add the content. That way, they are structured how they are meant to according to the sitemap.
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Is the school sitemap approved too?
With the parish, I can just make those pages in the order that they are right now, so that you can go in and add the content. That way, they are structured how they are meant to according to the sitemap.
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
I would double check with Al, but I think if we are able to change the site map ourselves at a later date, than I think we are good to go.
Al Sandoval
Hi Cody,
Yes, I only edit one thing on the shared sitemap. We are good to go.
Thanks.
AL
Yes, I only edit one thing on the shared sitemap. We are good to go.
Thanks.
AL
Cody Armock
Hello Al,
Thank you for letting me know!
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Thank you for letting me know!
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Al Sandoval
Cody,
We are also trying to update a few of the links to our school website for the upcoming Giving day in November. Can you let me know if it would be an issue to update those.
Thx.
God Bless
We are also trying to update a few of the links to our school website for the upcoming Giving day in November. Can you let me know if it would be an issue to update those.
Thx.
God Bless
Cody Armock
Hello Al,
I don't think that should be an issue. Just send me a list of the links and when you plan to update them and we can move those over after you have updated them.
Thank you,
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
I don't think that should be an issue. Just send me a list of the links and when you plan to update them and we can move those over after you have updated them.
Thank you,
Cody Armock
Web Department, Diocesan
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Alan,
I am wondering where we are at with the website. The school's contract with their host is coming to its end and we really are wanting to get the new sites up and running. When do you think they will be completed?
Also, I have concerns about the updated quote. Without any pre-warning or letting us know that we were going over the initial quote, the current expense is nearly double than what was first quoted. This needs to be addressed.
Thanks.
I am wondering where we are at with the website. The school's contract with their host is coming to its end and we really are wanting to get the new sites up and running. When do you think they will be completed?
Also, I have concerns about the updated quote. Without any pre-warning or letting us know that we were going over the initial quote, the current expense is nearly double than what was first quoted. This needs to be addressed.
Thanks.
Alan Snodgrass
Good afternoon Fr Jegar,
I appreciate your patience as we are looking over the project. We understand your concerns regarding the most recent project update.
We are almost done going through the hours worked, and I hope to have a new update for you tomorrow or Thursday.
Thank you!
I appreciate your patience as we are looking over the project. We understand your concerns regarding the most recent project update.
We are almost done going through the hours worked, and I hope to have a new update for you tomorrow or Thursday.
Thank you!
- Alan Snodgrass
Web Consultant
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Alan,
I was under the impression that the training would be in person. To be honest, the last training was pretty pointless for us. It went too fast. we couldn't follow what Cody was even doing. I am pretty disappointed with the training session. I think it needs to be in person.
I have spoken to other parishes that have gone with you and they said the training was in person. Is there a reason why our training has simply been via zoom?
I was under the impression that the training would be in person. To be honest, the last training was pretty pointless for us. It went too fast. we couldn't follow what Cody was even doing. I am pretty disappointed with the training session. I think it needs to be in person.
I have spoken to other parishes that have gone with you and they said the training was in person. Is there a reason why our training has simply been via zoom?
Fr Jegar Fickel
On another note,
I feel like for the parish cite I have been left to create every page myself. I took a look at other websites you have done like JPII in cedar spring and it seems like you could had left a template for pages such as the bulletin page, or my homilies. Literally, the parish website is an empty skeleton. I figured we would have worked together developing this and I wouldn't simply just be left doing it all myself. I was told that I would be given a finished website that we would just need to update. Not simply a bunch of empty pages.
I don't mean to sound frustrated, but the fact of the matter is that I am. It is costing us almost double than what was initially quoted, and the finish project is a cite that I have to pretty much go in and create myself. I don't think this is just.
Please let me know how we can move forward without us having to go in and create every page ourselves.
I feel like for the parish cite I have been left to create every page myself. I took a look at other websites you have done like JPII in cedar spring and it seems like you could had left a template for pages such as the bulletin page, or my homilies. Literally, the parish website is an empty skeleton. I figured we would have worked together developing this and I wouldn't simply just be left doing it all myself. I was told that I would be given a finished website that we would just need to update. Not simply a bunch of empty pages.
I don't mean to sound frustrated, but the fact of the matter is that I am. It is costing us almost double than what was initially quoted, and the finish project is a cite that I have to pretty much go in and create myself. I don't think this is just.
Please let me know how we can move forward without us having to go in and create every page ourselves.
Arthur Richardson
Hello Fr. Jegar,
I understand the frustrations of zoom trainings. In the past, before Covid and only for those parishes within the Grand Rapids area we would sometimes do in-person trainings. Due to another outbreak and the fact that St. Mary and St. Paul is an hour away, it would be difficult to spend two hours traveling when we have other clients to attend to as well.
As for the site being empty, there must have been a miscommunication. We didn't quote out any time for Content Migration for the parish site because we thought you did not want any of the parish content moved over. Our Content team did set up your menu, Bulletin Page, and set up all of your pages so that they are ready for you to add your new content. If you want us to help move any content over from the old site we can help but it will be charged our hourly rate. Please keep in mind that we do not do any content creation.
We want to help you and make sure what you are getting is what you expected. We could use the second training time to go over your current content for the site and help format it or stylize it to possibly make some templates out of those that can be used for other pages or to give you a more in-depth and slower-paced training of the first. We could possibly cover Envira Gallery as well if there is time. We have a couple of videos that cover the normal second training information, but in more broken-down chunks, so that might help as well. Just as a reminder, we capped the build at 38 hours which was 10 hours off and any other edits will not be added to the build hours.
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777
I understand the frustrations of zoom trainings. In the past, before Covid and only for those parishes within the Grand Rapids area we would sometimes do in-person trainings. Due to another outbreak and the fact that St. Mary and St. Paul is an hour away, it would be difficult to spend two hours traveling when we have other clients to attend to as well.
As for the site being empty, there must have been a miscommunication. We didn't quote out any time for Content Migration for the parish site because we thought you did not want any of the parish content moved over. Our Content team did set up your menu, Bulletin Page, and set up all of your pages so that they are ready for you to add your new content. If you want us to help move any content over from the old site we can help but it will be charged our hourly rate. Please keep in mind that we do not do any content creation.
We want to help you and make sure what you are getting is what you expected. We could use the second training time to go over your current content for the site and help format it or stylize it to possibly make some templates out of those that can be used for other pages or to give you a more in-depth and slower-paced training of the first. We could possibly cover Envira Gallery as well if there is time. We have a couple of videos that cover the normal second training information, but in more broken-down chunks, so that might help as well. Just as a reminder, we capped the build at 38 hours which was 10 hours off and any other edits will not be added to the build hours.
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777
Arthur Richardson
Hello Fr. Jegar
First off, I want to say that we greatly appreciate our partnership and how nice it has been to work with you! It is good to work with people who have a good vision of where they want to go.
I want to break down the proposal for you as well as the numbers.
Where we stand with the number of hours worked:
First off, I want to say that we greatly appreciate our partnership and how nice it has been to work with you! It is good to work with people who have a good vision of where they want to go.
I want to break down the proposal for you as well as the numbers.
Where we stand with the number of hours worked:
- Design - 17 (7 additional hours was used for logo work)
- Build - 38 (We were over because of our miscalculations on how long it would take but subtracted that time which was 10 hours)
- Content - 8
- Total = 63
63 x 70 an hour = 4,410
Bulletin Credit is 50% = 2,205
Your total (excluding any more content work)
= $2,205
extra logo time to make it usable on the website and clean up
7 x 70 an hour = 490
2,205 - 490 = 1715
We were at the max of the original proposal number but did extra logo work at your request which was not accounted for in the proposal.
I hope this makes sense and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask by email or call!
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777
Fr Jegar Fickel
Arthur,
I appreciate the clarification. I think the prior update on cost that was sent to us did not account for the 50% discount and so I was seeing the $4000 figure. If it did, I must have missed it. This number makes more sense. Thank you.
If possible I would like to use the next meeting to work with Cody on building the templates for the pages. If we can simply watch the training videos on our own time I'd rather do that. As mentioned above, nobody in the meeting really took much out of the last session. it was hard to hear, and follow the movement of the screen. I have been trying to piece it together myself with the little I did pick up.
Let me know if that works. Thanks.
I appreciate the clarification. I think the prior update on cost that was sent to us did not account for the 50% discount and so I was seeing the $4000 figure. If it did, I must have missed it. This number makes more sense. Thank you.
If possible I would like to use the next meeting to work with Cody on building the templates for the pages. If we can simply watch the training videos on our own time I'd rather do that. As mentioned above, nobody in the meeting really took much out of the last session. it was hard to hear, and follow the movement of the screen. I have been trying to piece it together myself with the little I did pick up.
Let me know if that works. Thanks.
Fr Jegar Fickel
Hey Alan,
I logged in to do some editing to our parish site, and the color scheme is completely wrong. This has happened on a few occasions.
Thanks for the help
I logged in to do some editing to our parish site, and the color scheme is completely wrong. This has happened on a few occasions.
Thanks for the help
Arthur Richardson
Thank you for the heads up, I will have a developer take a look into this. Could you let me know what page or pages this is happening on? Does it stay like that or revert after a time? The homepage seems to have the right blues.
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777
Thanks and God bless,
Arthur Richardson
Diocesan Publications
Web Project Manager
877-923-0777