THINKING ABOUT A NEW WEBSITE?
COMPLETE GUIDE: From initial strategyto long-term support.
Project vs. Partnership:Our Approach
Is your website an asset or an expense? The difference is the process.
- The One-Time ProjectWhy it becomes a costly expense.
- This approach focuses only on the launch. It's a short-term transaction that results in a site that rarely evolves. Because it's not built into a long-term strategy, it quickly becomes an outdated expense rather than a tool for growth.
- The Strategic PartnershipHow we build a valuable asset.
- My process focuses on your long-term goals. By treating your website as a core part of your business from day one, we build a powerful and flexible asset designed to deliver lasting value and adapt as you grow.
Building Your Strategic Asset
Our 5-Phase Framework
This structured process ensures we are aligned at every step and that the final product is strategically designed to support your long-term goals.
The Blueprint for Success
Phase 1: The Discovery PhaseOur Discovery Phase starts with two collaborative meetings: a one-hour deep-dive consultation to explore your goals, audience, and challenges, and a one-hour follow-up call a few days later to review findings and solidify the project’s direction.
The Website Strategy & Project Brief.
A comprehensive brief that becomes the source of truth for our project that will outline:
Your project goals & core brand message
Target audience profile
A proposed sitemap
A confirmed scope of work
Investment & Your Role:
This Discovery Phase is a fixed-price engagement, starting with one 8-hour Flexible Service Block ($320).
For most projects, this is sufficient. If you have existing strategic work documented, less time may be required.
Your active participation is essential; your role is to provide open answers about your business and to review and approve the final Project Brief before we proceed.
Where Strategy Takes Visual Form
Phase 2: The Visual BlueprintUsing the Project Brief, I create wireframes—low-fidelity visual blueprints for your website’s key pages that focus on layout, user flow, and functionality. This is also the phase where we will need the final text for each page to ensure the design is built around your actual message.
Phase 2 Investment:
This phase is billed using Flexible Service Blocks. For planning purposes, a typical page requires 4 to 8 hours for wireframing, content integration, and revisions. A detailed estimate for your specific project will be provided in the Project Brief from Phase 1.
Bringing the Blueprint to Life
Phase 3: The Development BuildIn this phase, I build a fully functional website based on the approved wireframes and content. I will develop the site’s functionality, integrate systems like contact forms, and populate the site with your content, ensuring it’s formatted correctly and is mobile-responsive.
Ensuring Quality: Testing & Your Final Review
Before launch, the site undergoes thorough testing, including Functionality Testing, Responsiveness Testing, and Performance Testing. You will then perform User Acceptance Testing (UAT)—a final review to ensure the site works exactly as you intended.
Phase 3 Investment:This phase is billed using Flexible Service Blocks. While cost varies with complexity, you can estimate an average cost of around $320 per page for development and testing. A detailed estimate will be provided after the wireframing phase is complete.Ensuring a Flawless Launch
Phase 4: The Final ChecklistTo ensure a smooth transition, I complete a pre-launch checklist, including a final content review and a full website backup. I handle the “go-live” process, perform post-launch checks, and provide you with your admin login and documentation in our official client handover
Ongoing Partnership for Continued Success
Phase 5: Beyond the LaunchYour site will be enrolled in my Managed Hosting & Care Plan (starting at $35/month). This includes secure managed hosting, proactive software updates, and continuous security and performance monitoring.
Your plan also includes access to my Included Premium Toolkit. The powerful, professional-grade tools used to build your site remain active and updated, saving you hundreds in annual software costs.
Finally, your plan includes one hour of my direct support each month. For larger tasks, you can use Flexible Service Blocks at any time. The included monthly hour is always used first before any time from your purchased blocks.
What Does It All Cost? & Other FAQ's
A sample project estimate.
Here is a sample estimate for a basic 5-page professional website redesign:
-
Discovery & Strategy: 8 Hours
-
Wireframing & Content: 20 Hours
-
Development & Testing: 20 Hours
-
Total Estimated Time: 48 Hours
This project would be scoped as six 8-hour Flexible Service Blocks, for a total estimated investment of
$1,920, plus the ongoing $35/month for the Managed Hosting & Care Plan after launch.
Do I have to commit to the full project after the Discovery Phase?
No. The Discovery Phase is a standalone service. At the end of it, you will own the “Website Strategy & Project Brief.” While most clients are excited to continue the journey, you are free to use that valuable asset with another developer if you choose.
How long does a typical full-service project take?
While every project is different, a typical 5-page website build, like the one estimated above, usually takes between 6 to 10 weeks from our initial Kickstart Consultation to the final launch. This timeline depends heavily on timely feedback and content delivery.
Who provides the content (text and images) for the website?
You, the client, are always the expert on your business. However, I can help kickstart the process to avoid the “blank page” problem.
For Text: Based on our Discovery Phase, I can create draft content to place within the wireframes instead of using generic “lorem ipsum” text. You will then be responsible for reviewing, editing, and providing the final approved text.
For Images: I can help you source professional, high-quality stock images that align with your brand during the wireframing step. While I always encourage using your own “real” photos for authenticity, I understand this isn’t always possible and can provide options. Ultimately, you will make the final decision on all images.
How do support hours work after launch?
Your Managed Hosting & Care Plan includes one hour of my direct support each month. This hour is always used first for any requests. For larger tasks, you can use your Flexible Service Blocks at any time.