That's easy.
You need to get in touch with me on my contact page or give me a call at (720) 773-1776. I typically will then send over to you my client worksheet document. It takes time and thought to fill out, but it will help us get your ideas into focus. This is critical. Any design project has to have clearly defined goals in order for me to deliver a finished project that will accomplish your goals. It will get you to think about your Intended audience, what actions you'd like them to take, what you like in other websites you've seen, who your biggest competitors are, what separates you from them, and what will be the mark of a successful project.
Once I have a completed client worksheet in hand we can set up a meeting to discuss the project. This enables me to be a really informed participant. I will have already thought about execution, look and feel for the project and will be able to offer much more insight than otherwise. At the end of the meeting we'll discuss next steps. I'll ask you if you'd like to move forward, or if there are any issues that I can clarify.
Typically, I'll go away from the meeting with your ideas fresh in my head, and if you direct me to move forward with the project, I'll create two documents:
1. The sitemap — a document that shows the site's intended architecture. It shows how the site navigation will work, and also where the content will live.
2. The estimate — is exactly what it sounds like. Since nobody likes surprises, the estimate will show a total price to produce a finished project based upon a specific scope. Scope defines what the intended project will and will not accomplish, the dates that different deliverables will take place, and when payments will occur.
After I deliver these to you, we go over them together to make sure we are on the same page. When clients have received the sitemap, they sometimes remember functionalities, or features that we failed to talk about in our initial meeting. This is great because it gives me a chance to amend the document to reflect an updated scope. Once you are excited about what we're talking about, and how it is defined, we'll move on to the next step.
The Design Contract is a great tool for both of us because it defines our relationship. It says what is expected of me and also what's expected of you. It talks about timeframes, deliverables, scope, and payment terms. Once we both sign the contact, and you give me a deposit check, the designing begins.
I usually will create a host of thumbnail wireframes by hand which I'll whittle down to two different executions for the homepage. I will also create two separate look and feels for each client. Depending on the size of the website, and the budget, I can also present look and feels for each type of page that the website will have.
Each client has a voice and the goal of the look and feel is to give your voice a look. I will create two looks of how I think you want to be seen by your intended audience. The look will need to embody you and your vision, but will also have to talk to your intended audience in order to motivate them to take intended actions. This takes thought, and work!
I will then present the two look and feels, and request that you pick one, and create a list of any changes you'd like to see happen.
I then set out to build the site based upon the look and feel. I will populate the site with all of the content and copy.
After I build the site out adding content to all the pages, and building all the pieces of the functionality that will make the site humm along, I'll present you with a fully functional preview site to go over with a fine toothed comb. At this stage you get 1Round of changes. If we need to make more changes, that is fine, but the budget of the project will be impacted. Once I get the changes executed, You give me the final approval and then we go live!
This part of the process is the most exciting! Once it goes live, people will come and will start to use your website. They will also give you valuable feedback. If we set up google analytics to track website traffic on your site, we'll be able to see pages that will be underperforming and others that will be performing better than expected. This information is compelling..
After the site is live for some period of time, we'll evaluate its performance. You might decide to roll out a new section or feature that you realize is lacking.
I build Dynamic websites that are powered by an open source content management system called MODX. I develop each website to meet the technological abilities of the end user. I customize the manager interface to make it as easy as possible for you to maintain your own website. This system is easy to use after I spend time with you to show you how to do it. I include a 1 hour training session into the cost of the project. I will be available to you after you take control of the site, to help you with site maintenance and also to customize the manager to make it easier for you to use.
High quality content that solves users's problems is what makes users want to spend any time with you and your website.
Content is whatever lives on the page for the users to interact with. Think words, pictures, audio, videos, maps, lists.For most projects I become involved in, the client comes up with the copy because they know their business better than I do.
If you need help, I'm happy to write copy on your project.