YOUR NEW WEBSITE: How We Get From Here to There

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Claude Wells
5 years ago
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1 YOUR NEW WEBSITE: How We Get From Here to There Hello there! I m excited to discuss working on your project with you! Outlined on the following pages are all the basics about how I work: my processes, policies, how we ll communicate, and ultimately how we ll take your ideas and get them out there for the world to see. Please read through the entire packet carefully to ensure that my processes work for you. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to ask. If everything looks good, the next step is outlined at the end of this packet! Jennifer Lyker jennifer@inksplashdesigns.net CONTENTS - Office Hours & Communication - What s Included With Your Website - What I Will Need From You - Process & Timeline - Payments & Cancellations - Frequent Questions - Post-Launch: Website Maintenance

2 OFFICE HOURS & COMMUNICATION Currently I work out of my home office, Mon-Wed-Fri, 8:30am-5pm EST. But sometimes I ll throw a Thursday or a Tuesday in there as needed, depending on my current work load. During your project, we will communicate primarily via Freedcamp, an online project management system, which helps me keep everything organized and in one place. (If you ve never used Freedcamp before, don t worry- I ll provide help with that too!) For active projects, I have an response time within 24-hours during my regular work hours (but honestly, it s usually much faster than that if it s an urgent issue, because SMARTPHONES!) If you need to discuss something specific and or Freedcamp doesn t cut it, we can schedule a phone call. Scheduling calls helps me keep my work time uninterrupted so that I can focus on your project. WHAT S INCLUDED WITH YOUR WEBSITE When the project is completed, you ll have a mobile-friendly, responsive website that allows you to share your products and services with your audience. The website will be custom-designed and built using Wordpress so it can be easily updated. Wordpress is free, web-based, and open-source, and it has a fantastic developer community for building websites for all sorts of situations, which is why I love it! For more information on Wordpress & what it can do: PLUGINS & ADD-ONS: Each website is different, so I ll recommend appropriate Wordpress plugins to make managing your website easier, or to add specialized functionality. I ll also include plugins that will help backup and secure your website. You ll also be able to track who is visiting your site using Google Analytics. HOSTING: I offer website hosting to my clients for a yearly fee, which includes service at your domain name, weekly backups of the site files and the database, plus free Wordpress core and plugin updates as they are needed. BASIC SEO (Search Engine Optimization): I include some SEO best practices with all of my websites that help boost your website s organic or natural SEO. While coding your website, I ll use appropriate heading tags in the content, add alt tags to the images, and choose descriptive page titles where applicable. An XML sitemap will be generated, allowing search engines to properly index the site. That XML sitemap will be submitted to Google via a Google Webmaster Tools profile- just another way to let Google know your site exists. INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 2 OF 9

3 WORDPRESS TRAINING: If you re local to me, we can schedule a Wordpress training session to show you how to use your new site admin. If we re unable to meet in person, I will provide you with a customized help document that will help get you started, as well as other useful resources. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED: Your website contract does NOT include font licensing, premium Wordpress plugin costs, or licensing fees for stock photos. If there are specific fonts, images, or plugins you want to use, let me know right away as you ll need to purchase them before I begin work. I also cannot register your domain name for you- it s best that you take care of that for legal and ownership purposes. Advanced SEO and copywriting services aren t included either. I am not a writer and I am not an SEO expert! You will need to write and provide the copy for your website. If you d like to hire someone to write your content or optimize your site pages, I can provide you with recommendations and will work closely with an SEO expert and/or copywriter of your choosing. WHAT I WILL NEED FROM YOU You are hiring a website designer to build your site, but you still have a vital role in the project! You will be involved in nearly every step, providing input and feedback on the sitemap, the design and layout, proofreading, and usability testing. You will also need to provide me with the content for the site. I will provide you with a checklist of what s required so you ll always know your current task! Things I may need from you at various stages: Completed project packet (if you haven t done it yet, that s the very next step after this intro packet!) Hi-resolution, digital copy of your logo Hosting and domain registrar logins Copy for the website pages Images & graphics (example: staff headshots, stock photos for visual impact, product photos) Pinterest inspiration boards (not required, but very helpful!) Websites you love, and/or websites of your competitors Honest, detailed, and helpful feedback during the design & development stages All feedback & content will be shared through Freedcamp. INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 3 OF 9

4 PROCESS & TIMELINE How long will this website take to build? The answer varies greatly depending on the size and scope of the project, as well as responsiveness from the client with feedback and content. We will have a clear plan for getting your website completed in a reasonable timeline, usually 2-3 months for smaller websites, longer for larger projects like e-commerce websites. BEFORE THE PROJECT BEGINS Project Packet: I need to pick your brain! If you decide you want to work with me, I ll send you a questionnaire to get an in-depth look at your business, so I can strategically plan your site, do any necessary research, and put together a quote. (It s possible you already did this step!) Strategy Session: If you re local, we can do this in person! If the distance is too far or our schedules won t align, we can do this via phone. We ll chat about your project packet, get answers to any questions (for both us!), and nail down the details of my quote. Contract Signature & Deposit: When you re ready to start, I ll send you a contract to sign and an invoice for the deposit. DESIGN PHASE You: work on gathering site content, copy writing, files, and images Me: mockup the homepage of the site along with an example subpage and/or any additional layouts You: provide feedback on the first mockups Me: apply any changes to the designs based on your feedback You: provide 2 nd round of feedback/changes on design mockups Me: apply 2 nd round of design changes submit to you for design approval You: approve the design Me: send 2 nd payment invoice & prepare for site development phase SITE DEVELOPMENT You: deliver content - all website content is due to me before the site development can begin. Me: code the website templates; browser testing; install Wordpress; begin adding content to the site You: be available and responsive to any questions that come up while I work Me: send the site link for review You: review the site and provide feedback & edits INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 4 OF 9

5 Me: make changes to the site based on your feedback You: provide a final review of the site; sign-off on launch! Me: make the site live; send final payment invoice Us: CELEBRATE a successful site launch!!! INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 5 OF 9

6 PAYMENTS DEPOSIT: 50% of projected* project cost due before work begins & to secure your spot on my schedule 2 nd PAYMENT: 25% of projected project cost, invoiced after design approval or 60 days after contract is signed FINAL PAYMENT: 25% of projected project cost, invoiced after site launch approval or 90 days after contract is signed *Projected costs are simply that, projected. Your quote is based on the scope of work at the beginning of the project. If you wish to add or change the scope of work as we go, that s fine! We will adjust the project cost accordingly and those additional costs will be included in the final invoice. This includes any additional licensing fees (fonts, images, plugins, etc) that arise during the project. Invoices will be issued via from Freshbooks, my accounting software. Payments can be made via check or online via a PayPal link on the Freshbooks invoice. CANCELLATIONS Sometimes things just simply don t go the way we expect them to. If, at some point, either of us decides our working relationship is failing, then we can submit the desire to part ways in writing and payment for all work completed at that point will be due. For example, if the website is 75% complete, you will be billed for 75% of the total project cost, as well as 100% of any additional costs for licenses or additional work completed. You will own any completed or partially completed files, and may use them in any way you choose. I retain the right to use anything I created in my portfolio. INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 6 OF 9

7 FREQUENT QUESTIONS How long will my website take? The answer varies greatly depending on the size and scope of the project, but I will make sure we have a clear plan for getting your website completed in a reasonable timeline. Average timeline for me is usually 2-3 months for smaller websites, 4-6 months or longer for larger projects like e-commerce websites. I can give you a better timeline quote during our strategy session and before we officially begin. The final factor is your response time. During the project you will need to respond as quickly as possible to my questions and provide feedback. Delays in your responses will result in a delay in the launch of the website, and may increase the overall cost of the project. If you have any vacations or offline time planned during the time we re supposed to be working on your website, please let me know before you sign the contract so I may alter the timeline accordingly (and I will do the same!) How much will my website cost? In general, most websites start at $2000 and go up in price based on a few factors: complexity, scope, and timeline. More complex sites cost more money as there is more work and knowledge involved in building them. Complexity also applies to strategy - a design that looks simple for a site that has a complex sales funnel costs more than a site with no sales funnel. The scope of work also affects the overall price. The price quoted at the beginning of the project may not be the final price as changes to the scope of work (adding, removing or changing features) may result in the final project cost changing. Finally, the timeline affects the price. The price quoted is based in part on the amount of time I believe the project will take to complete. If you have a tight deadline, a rush fee may be charged to complete the project in time. When should I get a domain name? If you have one you want and it s available, do it NOW! Domain names can be grabbed quickly and you don t want to lose out on a great one. You should be responsible the registration of your domain so that you and your company are the owner, and not your website designer. Where should I host my website? You can choose any webhost you prefer, as long as it adequately supports the requirements for running Wordpress (PHP and a MySQL database). I highly recommend hosting your website with me. I have a hosting package with MediaTemple that gives me additional access and flexibility for managing your website long-term, including , website backups, and monitoring Wordpress for upgrades of the core and plugins. My hosting fees vary depending on the size and scope of the site, but I will include those costs in my quote so you can make your decision. INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 7 OF 9

8 POST-LAUNCH: WEBSITE MAINTENANCE After your website is finished, you will be able to make changes and updates to the site content at any time through the Wordpress admin panel. But I won t abandon you! I will always be available for hire to make site updates if you d like to hand the work off to me. We can discuss a monthly retainer package if you will need frequent updates, or I can provide you with a quote for each work request as they arise. WORDPRESS MAINTENANCE: If you choose to host your website with me, Wordpress maintenance is included and you don t have to give it another thought! I ve got it handled. But if you host your site elsewhere, you will need someone to perform Wordpress core and plugin updates in order to keep things running smoothly and securely. I offer maintenance packages that we can discuss during the quote phase. WRAP-UP WHEW! That was a lot to get through! Thank you so much for reading. It can be a bit overwhelming, but presenting this information now to prospective clients is important and useful in making sure we are a good match. Being a great fit means the project will end with a fantastic website and a happy client- and a happy website designer! If this all sounds great to you, then it s time to complete my project packet if you haven t already done so. The packet contains a series of questions specific to your website and business that gets me the information I need to put together a tentative quote and prepare me for our first chat. NEXT STEP: Download the project packet -> If you ve already sent me your completed project packet, I ll be in touch with a quote or other next steps! INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 8 OF 9

Since then, I've worked with over 250 clients, designing, brainstorming, and delivering effective solutions for their businesses.

9 ABOUT JENNIFER Jennifer Lyker is a web designer, front-end coder, and WordPress developer who lives and works near Pittsburgh. She's a self-professed web-geek who has been creating websites since 1997, and in 2004, Inksplash Designs was born. Since then, I've worked with over 250 clients, designing, brainstorming, and delivering effective solutions for their businesses. My expertise is creating custom WordPress websites, and I also work with PHP, MySQL, jquery, and WooCommerce. I assist clients with their social media accounts, newsletters, website hosting, maintaining and updating their website content. I'm not just a web designer. I'm also a wife, a mother of three kids, and a lover of binge-watching television shows. I'm also VERY enthusiastic about chocolate. INKSPLASH DESIGNS INTRO PACKET - PAGE 9 OF 9

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