POV: You Just Became My Design Client - Here's What Happens Next
Ever wondered what happens after you express an interest in working with a web designer? Well, you're about to find out. While I can't promise or claim that every web designer has the exact same process, I can definitely tell you what happens after you express an interest in working with me specifically.
Whether you found me through one of my YouTube tutorials, stalked my blog or signed up for every freebie on my resources page, you're ready to bring your website dreams to life and I'm ready to make that happen.
So here's what happens once you take the plunge and decide I'd be super fun to work with.
Table of Contents
Step 1: You fill out the Contact form on my website
This is it - the moment where our story begins!
You fill out the design inquiry form on my website and tell me a little bit about your business, the goals you have for your website, and what you're hoping to achieve after working with me.
The purpose of this form is to allow me to get to know a little bit about your business and also to give me a sense of your vibe and voice and whether or not we will be a good fit.
Step 2: You land on my “thanks for inquiring” page
Once you hit SUBMIT on the contact form, you'll be redirected to my Thank You page where I give you a quick rundown of what happens next and when you can expect to receive a reply from me.
While you wait for my reply (which typically happens within 24 hours - usually pretty soon after your message lands in my inbox unless you're emailing me when it's the middle of the night for me), you can explore my blog or take a peek at my portfolio to get a general feel for my design style and a sneak peek at my design process and thinking.
Step 3: You've got mail!
Your inbox buzzes with a new email notification sound and you see it's a reply from me.
In that reply, you'll find a link to book a discovery call with me so we can get to know each other a little better and you can give me even more details about your business and your goals for the project. I also share my starting rates and my next availability date to make sure we're not wasting your time (or mine) needlessly.
On the other side of the screen, I probably already have a vision forming about your website and thinking up a strategy to make sure you're getting seen and booked with the right fit clients (because I am genuinely that excited to start brainstorming a website strategy and visual direction!).
Once you decide my rates and availability work for you, you'll click that link and schedule the discovery call at a time and date that works best for your schedule.
Step 4: We have our discovery call
The day has arrived - we have our discovery call! This is typically a 30ish minute call where you get to tell me all about your business and ask all the questions about what it's like to work with me.
I'll open it up by asking what you're interested in and what you're looking for to make sure I am the right person for you. (And I will tell you if I am not!)
Once you tell me all about your website hopes and dreams, I'll walk you through exactly what I will need from you and what my process and timeline look like.
By the end of the call, you'll know what's included in your project, how it will help you reach your goals, and what the next steps are.
Step 5: You get your proposal, contract, and invoice
Within 24 hours of our call (but usually much sooner), you'll get a custom proposal tailored to your project and your goals. You'll see everything that's included in your package, the timeline, and other important details.
Then it's your turn - you'll decide to accept the proposal, sign the contract, and submit the deposit that books a spot on my design calendar.
This is where we make it official and celebrate the start of our time together.
Step 6: You'll get your onboarding email and client portal
Now that you're officially my client, you'll receive a short and sweet email from me that goes over next steps, instructions on accessing your client portal, and the link to book your Brand Interview call.
Step 7: We have our Brand Interview call
This is where it gets really good - this is where I get all up in your business. I don't have a long questionnaire for you to fill out. Instead, we meet together for a 60-minute call where I dig deep into your story, your target audience, your business goals, and what makes your brand unique.
This allows me to get your unfiltered, unedited thoughts as well as to ask any feedback or clarifying questions right then and there. The purpose of this is to save both you and me some precious time instead of going back and forth with endless emails to get all the information I need from you.
Over the years, I've realized that the best replies happen when I get your raw thoughts instead of you trying to type up a polished and coherent reply. Plus, if you're really struggling with a question and aren't sure how to respond, I can guide you through it on the spot.
By the end of the call, I'll know your business as well as you do and we'll have a strategic path for moving forward with the project.
Step 8: Your homework
This part sounds scary but I promise you it's not. All you have to do is upload any photos you want me to use to your client portal. And if you have existing copy or branding you want to keep, you'll find a place inside the client portal to upload those too.
Step 9: Strategy Document
After our kickoff call, I get to work and create a detailed strategy document that outlines the main goals for the project, your target audience, your unique selling proposition, brand voice and outlines the general design choice we're aiming for.
You'll receive this project within 72 hours of our kickoff call and then you get to read through it and sign off on it. In case there are any changes you want me to make or if you remembered something important we didn't cover during our call, you'll let me know and I will amend the document accordingly.
The purpose of the Strategy Document is to have a North Star for our project - this is what keeps us on track and ensures we're moving forward in the right direction.
Step 10: Brand Design
Once the strategy document is approved, I get to work on crafting a bespoke brand that represents you and that will attract the right-fit clients to work with you.
You won't hear from me for about a week while I work on your brand and while I'm busy with your brand, you can go about your business working with your clients or doing whatever else you want.
If you need to reach me, you can use the little chat function inside your client portal.
Step 11: You get the initial brand design concept
When your initial brand concept is done, you'll get an email from me saying it's ready for you to review. Go ahead and click the link I've sent you and be sure to watch the short and sweet video presentation too to see how I made certain choices and the reasoning behind them.
While you're busy reviewing the brand design, I'll be over at my desk working on finding the perfect images for your brand new .. brand and website so we can be sure everything looks cohesive and polished.
Step 12: Share your feedback
Once you've had a chance to review your brand design concept, it's time to share your honest thoughts. You'll leave those as well as any other notes and comments inside the client portal using the handy chat feature.
Step 13: Web design
With brand design approved, it's time for me to go back to my desk and start working on your website draft. I'll design the necessary website pages, add your copy, and images I've sourced, then record a brief presentation that walks you through each design choice and decision.
This is another part of the process where you won't hear from while I'm designing so you get to relax and do whatever you want.
Step 14: You get the link to your website in draft mode
Once I am done with your website draft, you'll get another message from me saying it's ready for you to review. You'll get a link to a staging website so you can click all the buttons and interact with it as you would with a proper, live website.
This way, there is no second guessing how the buttons look when clicked, how the website behaves as you interact with it as a regular visitor, and most importantly, you can see what it will look like on smaller screens too.
Step 15: Feedback time… again!
Now that you've had a chance to interact with your website, it's time for another feedback round. You'll leave your thoughts, comments, and notes in the client portal using the chat feature.
I'll take all of your thoughts and make any necessary edits or adjustments and send the website over for another look before we move to the next step of the process which is…
Step 16: Techy Bits
This is the part where we take care of the techy bits. I'll connect your domain, integrate your social media profiles, add your booking calendar, and set up your email newsletter form.
At this stage, there's not much for you to do other than to wait for everything to propagate. I, on the other hand, will get to work recording your customized tutorial library so you can confidently manage your website on your own after we're done working together.
Step 17: Launch Call
Now it's time for our launch call - this is where I give you a final walkthrough of your website and you get to ask any questions you might have. Then we upgrade your website plan, hit publish on your website, and celebrate your launch because your website is now live!
Step 18: Fill out your feedback form
Within 24 hours of our launch call, you'll receive an email that wraps up our project and has the link to the feedback form. I want your honest thoughts on what it was like working with me, what you loved, what surprised you, and anything else you want to share with me that made it feel worth your time.
Step 19: Secure your spot in my portfolio
Now that you're the proud owner of a new website, you've secured your spot in my portfolio. I'll write a detailed case study about your new brand and website and share the behind-the-scenes moments that made our time together special.
Step 20: Check your mail for a fun surprise
After our project wraps up, be on the lookout for a surprise package in your mailbox from me. This is a small sign of appreciation to thank you for trusting me with your brand and website. (Don't bother asking what it is - you'll just have to wait and see!)
And that's everything!
This pretty much covers everything you need to know about what it's like to work with me and how the project generally goes. I hope you found this helpful and if you're sitting there reading this and thinking “Okay, this sounds pretty awesome - I wanna work with you”; you know what to do.
If you're ready to take the next step, check out my services page, decide which service is right for you, and then fill out the inquiry form at the bottom of the page. I look forward to hearing from you!
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