My Step-by-Step Website Design Process

Wondering What It’s Like to Work With Me?

I strive on providing an easy & stress-free experience for every client I work with! My client experience is most important to me, and it’s what I get complimented on the most. Here’s an overview of my website design process for my custom client projects!

1. The Proposal + Discovery Call

After filling out the client application form on my website, you’ll receive an in-depth proposal going over everything you need to know! I like placing as much information as possible about my process, to ensure you feel confident in my services before deciding to move forward. You also have the opportunity to book a discovery call with me but it’s not mandatory! I’ve worked with many clients that have preferred email, and that’s fine with me. Not everyone’s a phone person and that’s alright.

If you’re interested in moving forward with the project, you can submit the proposal. It will bring you straight to the contract & first invoice, where 25% of the project is due to reserve your date in my calendar. Your starting date will be determined by my availability (I’m typically booked up 2-3 months in advance) and when you’ll have your content ready. Having a few months in between will give you an ample amount of time to gather the website content I will need, take photos, finish your branding project, etc.

2. Design Questionnaire + Google Drive

After you have submitted the documentation attached to the proposal and paid the first invoice, you’ll receive access to your unique client portal with a quick design questionnaire. This will help me get to know you and your business better. We’ll discuss your visions for website style and design, and also the other important factors – your target market, competitors and services/products you have to offer.

After your questionnaire has been submitted, you’ll receive a Google Drive folder invitation from me! This is where you can input all of your written copy, images, branding assets and any other content you’d like to provide me with. It’s the perfect way for both you & I to stay organized during this project. I do not offer copywriting or photography services, this must all be provided by you. If you’re working with my partnered brand designer, then she would provide your assets to me upon completion!

3. Design Process Begins!

Once everything has been sent over, I will be able to start on your website design on the starting day we have discussed. Depending on the complexity of your website design and package chosen, this can take anywhere from 2-10 weeks. I only take on a certain amount of clients each month to ensure you get the attention you deserve on your new website.

On my end, I design a mockup to visualize how your website layout will be. I typically don’t show you my mockups as they are very messy drafts to work from! Most of the time, my mockups will not look at all like the final result. I get most creative in the builder and once I see elements live to see what works ? The only time I present mockups is for client websites that require coding since it can be tedious to make changes if you don’t like some elements of my design.

Now that you’ve sent everything over, you don’t have to do anything else until the revision process! I will design every page and make it perfect until I’m confident you will be in love with the design before I send it off for your review. You can sit back and relax until you get my update email.

4. Preview & Revision Process

This step is what I get the most compliments on! You’ll receive a preview link to your new website where you can test it live, as well as a screen share video from me explaining the design I have created. I love filming these videos and it’s my client’s favourite part of the process.

Feedback is most important to me! It is your website after all, and any changes are completely fine. I think of my design process as a collaboration, hence “with” in my business name! Typically clients go through 1-3 rounds of revisions until they are completely happy with the final design. After watching the update video and testing the website live, you can provide me with any feedback and changes you’d like done. We keep making tweaks until you’re happy with the final design.

5. Launch Process

With Shopify, there is usually many tests to be made before going live! I always recommend a soft launch (with friends + family), testing payment/checkout and other functionality tests. You might also need Shopify Apps installed for some features you’re wanting.

Once there are no more changes to be made, you’re ready to launch whenever you’re ready! I’ll ensure your domain, SSL certificate and everything else is working properly so it can be launched to the public. Once you’re ready to go live, it’s launch time!

You’ll receive an in-depth walkthrough video tutorial to guide you through managing the website on your own. If you ever want to customize your website, you won’t need to hire me for any changes. However, if you’re not proficient in design, I always recommend investing in maintenance and using your time in other aspects of your business. Some clients come back for updates and I’m always happy to help!

Are you Ready to Begin?

Are you ready to begin the design process? I typically book up a few months in advance, but feel free to submit a client application & view my custom design services to reserve your spot for the next available date!