I talk about how I’m a web designer here, but thought I’d share the start to finish of one of my recent website redesigns to give you an idea of what the process is like:
Step 1: Initial contact.
A client finds me (usually through a referral – this particular one found me through another client in a similar non-profit field.) and contacts me with a project. I get in touch to chat about the project and ask any necessary follow-up questions and send them pricing information if it’s a good fit. A contract is signed, an invoice is paid, and I send off the Welcome Packet.
Step 2: Client questionnaire & I do research.
In the Welcome Packet is the Client Intake Form, which asks a lot of questions to get a feel for design preferences, website goals, and brand. It sets the foundation for the project and makes the process go much more smoothly.
I use this as the basis for research on competitors, desired website styles and functions, and their existing business and branding.
Step 3: It’s time for design! Design elements & color palettes.
Step 4: Mockups and revisions
Taking all of this information and my expertise on best practices on the web, I create the first round of mockups to get the conversation started. Here is what I initially sent the client:
Sometimes it takes a lot of revisions, but this time she was pretty thrilled with my first concept, which is always nice! Depending on the project size, I also do a mockup of an interior page before developing. This time it was:
Step 5: Code test site
After the mock-up is approved, I hunker down and get to coding!
I install the design on a test site (either on my own server or theirs), where they get a chance to look at everything in action, see how to feels, and request any more changes. I find that if the client is getting stuck in the revisions stages, it usually because they can’t imagine it live, so this step helps a lot. This particular site had several galleries and custom forms (application, reference, and contact).
Step 6: Launch!
After any revisions of style, inputting all of the content, and adding any functions, we launch the site to the public. It’s a very, very exciting step to have months of hard work finally shared with others. I send the client a Goodbye Packet with screencasts for instructions, login info, a branding design guide, and more. I also check back in after a few weeks to see how things are going, ask if they need any help, and if they’d be willing to share with me their thoughts on the project and process for my client testimonials page.
I love website design as it’s an ideal balance for me of left brain and right brain work. I get to be creative and logical. Plus, I love my clients, so I get a social aspect, as well! I’m lucky. I declared on this blog almost exactly seven years ago that I wanted to do this, and here I am! So lucky.
Oh, I love this! If I ever have a website to design, I will come straight to you.
Thank you!! :) Means a lot.
Thanks for the info Ashley :)
I also started my own web design business but I never have a Client Intake Form. Usually the client and I communicate either through email or Skype which makes it very hard to go back to once Im in the design phase especially if we talked through the phone and my notes are not complete. Will definitely make an Intake Form like you did to make things easier for me.
I had fun reading your post. I actually learned a lot from it and I’m willing to know more about the topic. Looking forward to reading your other posts. Thanks for sharing.
An interesting case study Ashley.
I will surely be contacting you for my next web design project.
Fabulous Share!
I have created several websites so far and what I have observed that theme is the most important element in website designing which can make the whole difference. So be careful while choosing it for your project.
Thank you for benefiting from time to focus on this kind of, I feel firmly about it and also really like comprehending far more with this particular subject matter.
Hey !
Wow this is a good way for beginners to start!
I have worked on various websites and I know the key element of any website designing procedure is the theme that attracts the client at first and the second thing that I realised is unique & appropriate content.
These are the key elements that need to be considered whenever a web designer designs a website.I had come to know about many useful points that I need to include in a website to make it look even better.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful post !
Regards
Alison J Stark
Thanks for such post.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this process. It is tedious, but it definitely pays off for a new and fresh look.
You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic which has been discussed for ages. Wonderful stuff, just great!
thank you for this