When you book your project with me, we’ll follow a clear, step-by-step workflow to make sure your website not only looks amazing but works hard for your business. Every project is unique, but here’s the roadmap you can expect when working together.
1. Kickoff Meeting
We’ll start with a video call or in-person meeting to discuss your goals, answer questions, and get aligned on the vision.
Be ready to think about:
- What is the #1 goal of your new website? (Sell products, provide info, showcase services?)
- What’s working or not working on your current site?
- Who are your competitors and what can we learn from them?
- Who is your target audience?
2. Your Homework / Client Responsibilities
To get the project rolling, you’ll provide:
- A Dropbox folder with images/graphics for your website (minimum 1200px wide).
- Marketing copy, bios, and other content (Word docs preferred).
- Login credentials for ecommerce platforms, domain registrar, or integrations.
Pro tip: Gathering this early keeps your project moving efficiently.
3. Discovery & Research
We’ll evaluate:
- Websites you love for style, layout, and functionality.
- Marketing goals, email capture strategy, and how you’ll drive traffic.
- Your users’ needs and expectations.
4. Site Layout & Content Creation
- Outline your site hierarchy (think of it as your blueprint).
- Decide which content goes on each page and which is “global” (footer/sidebar elements).
- Craft web-friendly content that’s concise, keyword-optimized, and SEO-focused.
- Highlight the most important info “above the fold” on your homepage.
- Conduct an information audit if redesigning, ensuring all details are current.
5. Wireframing
We’ll sketch a visual “blueprint” of your site:
- Header, footer, navigation, sidebars
- Main content placement
- Graphics/images layout
This is the rough draft before we apply color, fonts, and design elements.
6. Design Phase
The fun part! We’ll finalize your look:
- Apply brand colors, fonts, imagery, and graphics (HiRes preferred).
- If no brand yet, we’ll create one together using tools like Pinterest for inspiration.
- Combine design with the wireframe to see the full “look and feel.”
7. Development
I’ll build your WordPress site to reflect the approved layout, colors, fonts, and content.
- If it’s a new site, we’ll use an “under construction” splash page until launch.
- If redesigning, your new site will be built on my server and then migrated to your domain once approved.
8. Quality Control & Testing
Before launch, we’ll:
- Test all links and functionality
- Review content for accuracy
- Ensure your site is ready for live visitors
9. Launch & Evaluation
Once your site goes live:
- Announce it via email, social media, etc.
- Gather feedback from clients and friends.
- Monitor analytics to tweak and optimize your content over time.
Pro tip: A website should evolve, not sit static “set it and forget it”. I can help you market your new site to drive traffic and grow your business.
Bonus: Understanding Images & Graphics
- Copyright matters: Only use images you have rights for. Be sure to check usage rights with photographers or stock services. Simply copying an image from the internet can get you into hot legal water!
- High-resolution is best: For print or large format, larger images avoid pixelation (3600px wide, 300-600 dpi).
- Online use: Low-res images (under 2000px, 72 dpi) work for web/social media.
- Need professional photography? Check my portfolio at cindyleighphoto.com and contact me for rates.