FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Website projects are priced based on requested features and turnaround time. The average 2-5 page WordPress website with a custom theme and basic functionality (1 contact form, social media integration, 4 weeks design/development timeframe) can be completed for under $1,800 if the client provides all content (images/text) at the start. Secure website hosting is optional for an additional $150/year. One-time or recurring maintenance and/or WP plugin/database updates are available after launch and pricing for these services depends on how hands on you'd like me to be in the process. All design/development service estimates are based on a rate of $65/hour.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Phase 1: PLANNING & MOCKUPS My website creation process begins with an initial exploratory discussion with you to determine your project needs and goals. We'll discuss what features and functions you'd like your new website to have. I'll use this information to draft a one-of-a-kind, customized website mockup using Photoshop and SketchApp. Within one week of our initial discussion the prototypes will be presented to you as interactive mockups using the InVision App, and you'll have 2 rounds of revisions for the designs before we move on to the development phase. (The InVision App makes it easy for you to provide feedback on the designs and significantly minimizes communication mishaps saving us both time and preventing costly mistakes.) // Phase 2: DEVELOPMENT With the development phase, I'll install the popular and open-source content management system (CMS), WordPress, onto your host server. If you don't have a website host, you can either host with us, or if The Green M isn't a good fit, I can make a recommendation based on your website's features and technical needs. Once the WP database is set up, I will create a custom theme that mirrors the approved design and add in any additional functionality such as contact forms or surveys etc. All websites will be mobile-friendly, responsive, SEO friendly and scaleable. You'll have the option of having an "under development or coming soon" landing page with sign up forms, social media links etc., if you need to have a placeholder page while the site is being constructed. Development for most websites can be completed in 2 weeks or less. // Phase 3: TESTING & LAUNCH In this phase, we'll test your new responsive website on a variety of modern browsers and perform user testing for mobile (iOS and Android devices). We'll also do a thorough, multi-step test to check the site's functionality to ensure there are no errors or broken links. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to share the site with necessary reviewers for review and feedback. I recommend allowing at least 1 week for testing and tweaking. Once all testing is complete, I'll launch the site and provide documentation for the theme, and optional one-on-one training on how to make content updates. I offer maintenance packages for one-time or recurring needs and will make myself available as much or as little as needed for future updates. // Overall, the process can take as little as 4 weeks. I strive to respond to all feedback and questions within a few hours (to keep the project moving along at a healthy pace) and will be available daily from 10a - 5pm by phone, text, email or Slack.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I formally studied design and graduated with a BA in Graphic Design from the school of Media and Journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2002. As a self-proclaimed lifelong learner and educator, I then earned two Master's degrees in Education from Pace University while working as a NYC public school teacher and Teach for America corps member. Over the past 15 years I've taken a handful of computer programming courses, but I am mostly a self-taught front-end developer (HTML/CSS/Javascript/PHP). I love to learn and am continuously researching best practices for nearly everything in my quest to know as much as possible, to hone my design and development craft, and to fully understand my diverse clients.