Getting started
Here's an overview of what we need and a guide to help you along before we begin!
What we need to get started
These items can be uploaded to your basecamp project account or uploaded to your secure dropbox folder.
Your logo
PSD, AI, PDF, EPS, high-res JPEG or PNG if possible.
Hosting credentials
Your hosting account login and/or cPanel username and password.
WordPress login
An administrator login to your current WordPress site (if you have one up already).
Images & Pictures
Current and/or new images and pictures you’d like to use on the new site.
Content
Page content and any updated verbiage/information for the site.
style guide
Brand style guide, colors or any specific design requirements.
Todooos
Todooos is an awesome online platform for communication and project management. We’ll be using this to send messages, share files and track progress during the process. This will help alleviate content and images being lost in long email threads. Everyone loves email threads...right?! (Don’t worry you can still use your email. The messages will post directly to Todooos!) Once your project is underway, you’ll receive an email to set up your Todooos profile and we’ll be off and running!
Dropbox
Dropbox is a great online image/file sharing platform. This isn’t necessary for every project, but if you have more than 15-20 images for your website or if they’re too big to send through email or post on basecamp, we can use Dropbox. We can also use this to share important logins and credentials instead of sending through email. I will set up a folder for the project and will share the folder with you via email. You can upload all images and files there.
The design process
Designing a website, no matter how big or small, is an extensive process that can be overwhelming. To better help you understand what to expect during design and development, I’ve outlined our process into 3 steps
Layout and design
A large and time consuming part of designing a website is in the planning and layout stage of the process. First, we'll create the sitemap (Page/Menu hierarchy) of the website for approval first, then we’ll design the home page and a sub page (or more upon request) for approval.
Development
Once the site layout and design is approved, we’ll move forward with the designing all site pages and implementing all functionality and plugins. We’ll make sure your site looks great and functions nicely across all devices and web browsers before moving to the final step.
Edits & Revisions
Once the site is ready for final review, you’ll be able to review each page and we can make detailed edits until the site is ready for launch. We ask that you please review ALL pages to make sure all spelling, grammar, addresses and information are correct before going live.
Wrapping Up & GOING LIVE!
Once the site is ready to go live, all unnecessary plugins, pages, images and back-end files will be removed. The new site will be backed up and saved locally, should it ever need restored. Once live, it may take between 24-48 hours for the new site to pull up on some devices. Your browser may need to be refreshed in order to see the new site and though most will see the new site fairly quickly after the launch.
Your website logins and all credentials will be sent to you via Basecamp or secure email ensuring the security of your passwords. Though your logins and passwords will be saved by us locally, PLEASE SAVE ALL LOGINS FOR YOUR RECORDS AS WELL. Upon completion, you’ll receive a link to my “Follow Up Questionnaire” where you’ll asked about your experience with us. We will also be sending you information on our Maintenance/Security Plans which I highly recommend for all my clients.