How I Design My Clients Website In 14-Days
Now, I know from the title you’re thinking, “What is this about?” “ this is clickbait,” but I assure you it is not! As a low-key Type-A creative entrepreneur, there is no distance I won’t go to get my vision across and deliver a rewarding experience for my clients.
While working with clients on photography and social media marketing projects, I’ve overheard too many traumatic stories from clients and peers working with web designers. From over extended timelines, lack of communication, and complication with site management. I had no intention of becoming a website designer. Still, I had every intention to bridge the gap between administration and creation while providing their audience with a consistent experience with their overall brand.
How do I do that? I guess that's why we are here. To my potential clients and fellow website designers, I’m giving you a peek inside my step-by-step process of getting my clients online. With this process, I can get back to my other creations while providing my client with the best experience. As a 2-week web design seems like a fantasy, I assure you when all cards are properly dealt, it’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Onboarding: Building The Relationship
As soon as an inquiry comes in, usually via email or Instagram dm, I work to get personal with my potential clients to understand their business, brand, vision, and upcoming needs for their business. This starts with a consultation. As every business is unique, the consultation provides clarity for the client in knowing how best to serve them and offering clear communication that could save them money.
After the initial contact, the client will be directed to an onboarding questionnaire to choose from services and provide preliminary information for the project. Upon submission, this allows my gears to start moving as I perform an audit on the business’s online interactions and aesthetics. After review, the client will be invited to schedule a video conference.
(The onboarding process can best be described as a tennis match. There is always something for somebody to do in getting this project to move. This sets the tone for mutual accountability while also vetting my ideal client. If the client is unresponsive, the project will remain there as “The ball is in your court.”)
Post initial contact, questionnaire, and zoom call schedule, we would have our official first meeting. Yes, this is a zoom call with the camera on. It’s crucial for not only myself but for the client to see and hear who they will be working with—creating an environment of transparency and authenticity. During the call, the client and I will discuss their purpose and the meaning of this project. We will be going over the steps in the process with emphasis on understanding their “WHY.” This helps set the tone for their site while providing a tailored voice to their audience.
A vital factor to note is I don’t take on more than one client at a time. As website creation is one of my premier services, I choose to focus on one client at a time and actively serve that one client. All of this is communicated in our video chat. Should the client wish to move forward with the process, they will receive an invoice for 50% of the total project, a calendar link with upcoming project start dates, and my client homework assignment.
Yes, I send my clients homework. It is crucial not only for accountability and clarity but to instill intention in my client’s creation. As I work primarily with starter-ups, many people want a website without knowing who they are serving or what makes their business stand out. The client homework assignment isolates my client’s voice while providing me with the information, that i then can flip and turn on the website. Homework assignment consists of branding questions, services, details, pictures, and files needed, so work doesn’t begin until the homework assignment has been completed.
Day 1-7: Branding and Layout
Once the homework assignment is completed, we can begin the design and branding step. If a client needs headshots, logo, or product photography, the initial questionnaire scopes what the client may need, and that will be taken care of before day one of the website start date.
During this phase, I work to make sense of everything that has been submitted. Where does alternation need to be made? How is the audience going to absorb this information? What looks best for the business? These are the questions rattling through my brain as I start to sort and lay this new foundation.
Today, if you order something, you have an ETA on the product you bought, and you can even see where the driver is as an order is in route. I replicate that same experience for my client using a shared Google Doc called “The BrainFlow.” The BrainFlow can be messy. It’s a color-coordinated document labeling my train of thought, in text format, of everything forming on the site. The client can review, make notes and answer direct questions. I find The Brainflow keeps my clients connected with the project while limiting provisions at the end. By the end of each day, the client will get an email summary of work and updates on the project
Day 7-14
After a while, The BrainFlow becomes nine-plus pages long with different thoughts and opinions. At that point, it is time to preview the site. A second zoom call is scheduled to share my screen and walk the client through the site. Here, the client can see everything they read on The BrainFlow come to life. During this call, the client and I will notate any changes that need to be made while showcasing how to make quick edits and manage the site’s back end.
After the call, changes notated from the call will be edited while sending the final invoice to the client. Once paid, the site is transferred to the client, where they can select and pay for the hosting site membership. Yay, we are done, right? No! At this point, you just gave someone a car without actually test driving it.
Coaching Period
The client will have seven days with the site post-delivery, entering us into the coaching period. During this point, the client can get familiar with the site management and ask all the questions possible. If a zoom call is necessary during this point, that can be arranged.
The Advantages of My 14 Day Process
Clients know their start and end date, If there is a hold up, let’s solve it before there is and quickly!
Clients feel important, with the transparency and communication you can’t go wrong.
My creativity and knowledge is challenged, with a short window spanned turning text into visual is exciting…challenging but exciting! Listening and absorbing clients “Why” and transforming that into a brand.
This process, in its entirety, instills intention into the creation and my clients. Through all the work we do, it is my mission to represent minority business owners through brand representation online. I often see businesses misrepresented as they enlist in quick-made services from this person, that person, and that site. Here, we change the narrative by getting clear on who your business serves, creating straightforward content, and giving you the keys to be bold, confident, and independent with your passion online.
Do you have a website? How was your experience in creating your website? Comment Below
