How a website project works
No mystery and no surprise invoices. Here is what happens from the first conversation to launch, and what I need from you along the way.
Step 1: A short conversation
We talk for twenty or thirty minutes, on the phone or in person. I ask what the business does, who it is for, and what a visitor should do next: call, fill out a form, or book. I also ask what exists today, who is writing the content, and when you need it live.
Step 2: For an existing site, an audit first
If you already have a site, I run a site audit on it before I quote anything. It shows me what is worth keeping, what is thin or duplicated, and what is holding the site back. That way the proposal is based on your actual site, not a guess.
Step 3: A written proposal with a fixed price
You get a short written proposal. It lists the pages and features that are included, what is not included, the timeline, and one fixed price. No open-ended billing and no surprises partway through.
Step 4: Half to start, half at launch
Fifty percent is due to start the project and fifty percent at launch, before the site goes live on your domain. The monthly plan starts after launch.
Step 5: Build
Structure comes first: one page per service, clear headings, a FAQ written as direct questions and answers, and the technical basics that help Google and AI tools read the site. Then the design. Then your content goes in, in your words, cleaned up where it needs to be.
Step 6: Two rounds of review in the browser
You review the site at a private preview link on your own phone and computer, not in a mockup. Two rounds of changes are included. Most projects do not need more than that.
Step 7: Launch on your domain
I point your domain at the new site and make sure it loads securely. For an existing site, every old page address redirects to the right new page so nothing people have bookmarked or found on Google breaks. Forms are tested end to end before I call it done.
Step 8: Monthly care plan
After launch, a monthly plan covers hosting and small changes. Need a new photo, a price updated, or a staff member added? Text or email me and I handle it. You never log into anything.
What I need from you
- The content in your own words. Rough notes are fine. I will tighten it up.
- Photos you own or have the rights to use.
- Your logo, if you have one. If you do not, we work with your business name set in clean type.
- The login for your domain, or the name of whoever has it.
- Access to the old site, if there is one, so I can pull the content and set up redirects.
What I do not do
- Payments or e-commerce. If you need to sell online, I am not the right fit.
- Logins and client portals, by default. If a project truly needs one, we talk about it up front.
- Sites built inside the Squarespace or Wix editors. I build sites from scratch and host them for you.
- Logo design. I can point you to someone.
- Photography. I can point you to someone for that too.
Common questions
How long does a website project take?
- Most projects take a few weeks from the deposit to launch. The biggest variable is content. If your words and photos are ready early, the project moves quickly. The proposal gives you a timeline for your specific project.
Do I have to write the content?
- You know your business better than I do, so the content starts with you. Rough notes, an old brochure, or a recorded conversation all work. I restructure and tighten it so it reads clearly and so Google and AI tools can make sense of it. I do not invent facts, results, or reviews.
Can I edit the site myself?
- By default, no, and most clients prefer it that way. You text or email me the change and it is done under the monthly plan. If you really want to edit something yourself, like a blog, I can add a simple editor for that part.
What if I already have a site on Squarespace or Wix?
- That is a common starting point. If you have the time to maintain it yourself and it is doing its job, Squarespace is fine. If it looks dated, loads slowly, or is not showing up when people search, I rebuild it from scratch on your same domain and redirect the old pages. We will go over what that means for your monthly costs before you decide.
What happens if I stop the monthly plan?
- We talk about it. The domain is yours and stays yours. I will not hold your site hostage. Where it goes from there depends on what you want to do next, and we figure that out together.
Ready for step one?
Tell me about your business and your current site, if you have one. I will reply within a day or two with what I would suggest and what it would cost.