When starting out in your own entrepreneur venture there is a LOT to figure out.
Website, payment processing system, email marketing platform, project management system, design processes, payment terms, policies, contracts…and more!
It’s a bit of an under taking to launch a business (but oh so worth it. Promise!)
I remember back to when I got started I loved seeing the processes and systems of others in a similar line of work.
It greatly helped me learn how others ran the backend of things, and that influenced how I designed my own processes and systems.
I spent yearssss honing in my web design process, and I’m happy to report that I have it pretty well down to a science now.
If you’ve been following along on the blog for a while now, you’ll probably have heard me mention the 2 week web design process I used back when I was offering 1:1 custom design, and why both myself and my clients loved it!
Now that I’ve moved to offering online courses teaching students to master Squarespace and then turning those skills into a successful business designing for clients, there’s a few FAQ I get from students on the reg…
A) What exactly the backend of the process looks like
B) How I’m able to turn things around so quickly (just two weeks!)
C) How I’m able to keep clients on time and projects on schedule.
First a pro-tip: When a client inquires, I create them their own checklist, to ensure I hit every bit of the process and don’t forget any vital pieces.
I have two demo checklists, one for each of my packages. I have both a web design process & a web design and branding process.
When a new client inquiries, I copy & paste them their own checklist, and begin working my way through it, checking boxes complete as I go. ✅
Client inquiries
Initial call
Create contract & invoice
Send contract & invoice
Client signs contract and pays invoice
Change availability on website
Make Google Drive folder & Google Doc
Send Welcome PDF & Google Drive/Doc links
Build a BoxFox & send
Follow up 1 week prior to start date to remind of Pinterest board & design questionnaire due
Follow up 2 days prior to start to remind of content due
Email to set up a call time on first day of design period
Get domain details
Ask for SEO terms want to rank for
Go over inspiration websites
Discuss content and images provided
Ask questions related to brand, style & vision
Begin domain transfer if necessary
Make mood board + color palette
Send mood board + color palette
Client okay’s mood board + color palette
Design full website
Send website live link for feedback
Client sends edits
Implement client feedback (repeat as needed)
Link up external services/programs
Add functionality
Check SEO
Do site finishing checklist
Set up 1.5 hr lesson call time
Send over lesson plan
Complete lesson plan
Get to pay remainder 50%
Launch website
Congratulate (woo!)
Thank & tell will follow up with Farewell PDF
Send PDF
Follow up with items used in design (backgrounds, optimized images, logo files, etc.)
Follow up to ask if have any site questions
That’s it!
That exactly the checklist behind my 2 week website process.
I hope that this checklist can help guide you in the creation of your own.
Of course you’ll need to tailor your checklist to your specific projects & processes, but the starting foundation is right here for you!
Oh, and if you’re wondering where I store this handy dandy checklist so that I never miss a reminder, and can quickly peep that things are on schedule from any of my devices?
Check out: How I use Asana to organize the tasks and calendar in my online business
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