Many new clients ask me the steps in web design projects, and it’s great to ask! This post will outline the steps so you’re more familiar with them and can ask more questions – and understand why these things aren’t just 2 hour projects!
Here’s the steps:
- You look at web designs you like.
- You (Client) completes questionnaire (a GoogleDoc; ask me for your link! lara@laraspence.com) or we have a really great phone consult (fees apply) and I fill it out for you.
- Lara creates estimate in Quickbooks. Prices look like this>>
- Client “Accepts” estimate by emailing Lara.
- Lara issues 50% deposit invoice, which is paid (Visa, Mastercard, etransfer to lara@laraspence.com, or cheque)
- Dropbox folder is created for client/Lara team to share files. Share logos, images of projects (organize by project), web copy, list of services, your Google My Business Logins, your domain and hosting logins- whatever we need goes there.
- Client prepares and shares list of web pages they want on the site, including featured Portfolio items/Featured projects or Products, depending on the type of site it is.
- Web Copy: Client prepares web copy for each page in a Google Doc. (Or we can prepare for you, $85+ per page, depending on length). If you want fancy boxes on your home page, we figure out what they say. If you have sliders with text, we need that too.
- Client provides logo to use. Or we can design one for you. $650+.
- Graphic Design: Lara’s Graphic designer Monica creates mock-up JPG or wireframe layout of home page, an inside page, and home page on mobile for approval, maybe a Portfolio page if they’re complicated, maybe a Product page if you have Products. Two rounds of changes in this phase, or extra fees may apply. FIVE DAYS usually.
- If eCommerce, all images + prices + descriptions should be prepared by client in a combination of MS Excel or Google Sheets + Dropbox with images (properly-named-no-spaces.jpg).
- WordPress creation: Once jpg or wireframe signed off, the design is created in WordPress (usually 10 hours). May require image purchase ($11-33 each) and theme purchase ($65). FIVE DAYS usually.
- Client provides gmail account logins for use in business listings, Google Analytics + Google My Business – very important for businesses to have!. Or we create a Google account for you ($20). If client has Google Analytics already, or Google My Business, client gives laraspence@gmail.com highest level access to enable us to set up helpful/security items for your business.
- Google My Business: You ensure all your Hours included, address, images, SERVICES (helps for SEO!), products, etc. Or we can do all this for you. You would be silly to not have this if you’re a business. You can be ‘address vague’ if you don’t want your address. But you want to be present. $100-ish.
- Client provides userid + password for domain and hosting accounts. If we need to buy these for you, we need your credit card details. We recommend 1and1.ca or Bluehost these days. Avoid GoDaddy unless you get a WordPress package. GoDaddy sometimes charges for extra things like email and https. Get a package where that is included.
- If client has FB or LinkedIn and wants Lara’s team to help, make Lara Spence an admin on accounts.
- SEO: Client provides 10-15 desired phrases (what prospects would look them up under). We do an SEO audit of your site + plan your best next steps. $225. Then, we create a package of SEO work for $75/page. Costs more if you need copy written. You would be silly to not SEO at least the main pages of your site. We are pros!
- Testimonials: Got any? Client makes list / starts to gather/add to your web copy document in Dropbox.
- SEO: Lara’s team adds to list of desired keyword phrases. Client team narrows down the list if necessary, prioritizing. With the narrowed list, Lara/team make spreadsheet matching keyword phrase to the page that best suits. Client signs off when we are finished, then page + code changes are implemented ($100 per page).
- Social: As required, FB for Biz, LinkedIn for Biz, Tw, Insta, Yelp, Trip Advisor platforms created. Relevant icons are put on site for social networking.
- Email: Lara/team set up email accounts for client, if needed. Userid/passwords put in spreadsheet. Client can look up their webmail + mail instructions at their hosting space.
- WordPress site is tested by Lara, team, client.
- Lara/team ensure contact form works before launch of site.
- Lara/team send test email to client via new email account.
- Once launched, Lara/team set up Google Analytics dashboard + show client how to use.
- Lara/team set up SEO by Yoast plugin in WordPress. We help it create an awesome and necessary sitemap. We submit this to Google + Bing in the next step.
- Lara’s team set up Google Analytics ghost filters, Google Search Console, submit launched site to Bing too, ensure conversions created for Contact form submit, ensure normal Lara Spence plugins installed for security in WordPress.
- Lara/team set up user accounts on WordPress for clients + train clients on WordPress if client would like. $150.
- Lara/team start tracking your desired keyword phrases in gShift tool. Lara sets up report for SE Ranking to send rankings + web presence info report ($15/month+).
- Lara sets up task to her her team do your WordPress + plugin updates, site backups – we do this monthly or quarterly, based on your needs. This is about $300 a year if done quarterly.
- Lara’s team creates link from Lara’s site to client’s site (will help with your SEO)
- Lara’s team runs once a year SEO audit from SE Ranking – we usually find things we can improve – assume 1-2 hours! You get a link to the audit / recommendations if you like!
- Ongoing marketing: if a large amount of content on site, Lara’s team can SEO 1-2 posts/pages per month to ensure best position placement. We can also write copy for this purpose. Budget $400+/month.
- If desired, MailChimp enewsletter can be set up (with theme to match your site) $300. We can set up MailChimp sign up on your site + FB ($30 each).
Contact us if you have questions and would like to discuss an estimate!