Consider your Timeline

Your ideal launch date for your brand-new website is EXTREMELY important. I recommend picking a day that’s a week before your launch (course, book, coaching program, or collection) date. Then reach out to designers 2 to 6 months before that date. 

No two website designers are the same. Some design websites in 6 to 8 weeks, others take 9 to 12 weeks. I’ve seen agencies that have turnaround times of 6 months for a website design.

Currently, my custom website designs take up to 4 weeks from start to finish. This includes up to 3 rounds of revisions I include with each design project. I move at my clients’ pace. I could design a website in a week or even a day, but rush services are additional fees. 

Beyond your launch date, how much time would you like to devote to your project? 

With a done-for-you website design service, before the project even starts you’ll need to provide your designer with:

• Your Logo

• Brand Colors

• Branding photos/videos

• Product Photos/videos - Pictures of your real products or clothes pretty please and thanks.

• Slogan/Tagline

• Website Copy - I have a great resource I use with my clients for this!

Do you have these or would you like to work on them during the project? If you need help with these see if the designer you’re interested in provides brand identity - Logo Design, Color Palette Creation, and Font Selection. Lucky for my clients, I do provide this as an add-on!

Once the website design project starts You’ll need to:

• Make sure the designer understands Your brand messaging – Ideal customer, voice, tone, mission statement, Company Bio, etc. 

• Provide Product/Service Descriptions and Prices

• Review the Website Draft

• Requests any needed revisions to the website design

• Review each round of revisions and provide feedback

You’ll need time to review every section and every word on every page of the website design. Don’t rush this.

Do you see now why a great website takes TIME? Yeah this is a lot, and even during the project, you'll need to provide secure information like to integrate booking software and CRM email Marketing. It's really important that you make sure you find the designer that's right for your business’s timeline goals and needs. 

Consider Your Investment

Imagine walking into the Louis Vuitton store and saw a huge Banner with a price above a table with different purses and wallets underneath. Some big, some small. You’ve only taken two steps into the showroom and already you see the huge banner with a price in big numbers. None of the sales clerks have offered to show you the merchandise either. How would you feel?

Like you’re lost, right? 

Just like buying a Louis Vuitton purse is an experience, getting a website designed for your business is an experience. 

• A 5-page website for a Realtor

• A e-commerce website for a clothing boutique with over 150 products

• A 9-page website for a coach and speaker that offers courses and digital products 

Have completely different features, needs, and price points. This is exactly why I don’t provide pricing on my website or pricing guide before I even know what your business needs. 

At E-Partners Marketing, every moment working with me from consultation to launch is an experience. I get to know you, your business goals, your website needs, and present a custom proposal with the scope of the project and custom quote. We discuss payment arrangements after the proposal is completed.

There are plenty of of designers who offer starting prices on their website and/or pricing guides. Some start at $1,500 and others at $10,000. Brace yourself for major sticker shock!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you 😏

Consider Their Experience

Try to focus on the types of website design projects they’ve completed more than how long they’ve been a designer.

Take time scrolling through projects in their portfolio. Every designer has a unique design aesthetic. Their websites have a certain look and feel to them. Is this how you want your online home to look and feel?

Does this aesthetic match what you have in mind for your new website? Most of my website designs are minimalist, but make a HUGE impact. 😊

Do they have businesses like yours in their portfolio? If they don’t, have they worked with a complementary industry? Ex. You are a ghostwriter and they’ve worked with authors? Lucky you, I’ve worked with both! 

Do they specialize in one website builder or do they have experience with several website builders? This will be crucial if you have a website already and want to stick with that same builder. Are you open to trying a new builder? 

Do you really need a Website Designer?

Could you make a website for yourself? Sure. Would it take at least 3 to 6 months? Probably.

Hiring a website designer is great if You’re ready to:

• Connect with the right clients/customers

• Re-brand the website you made yourself

• Hire someone to move your business to a new website builder

• Have a professional looking website

• Make it easier for clients/customers to shop with you

• Take your time back instead of struggling to build it yourself

• Love your website and stop telling people at networking events “It’s coming soon.”

Deciding who is right for YOU

Pick the website designer that:

• Is available for your launch date

• Their turnaround time is in line with your goals

• The investment is in line with what you’d like to spend

• You enjoy the consultation with them

• You feel comfortable with their design process

What has made entrepreneurs choose to work with me in the past? 

Most of my website design clients are referrals. 

When I’m on a consultation call with an entrepreneur, they share “I LOVE the design you made for AwesomeClient!” They even know the entrepreneur I’ve designed the website for in real life. They confess what they made them fall head over heels in love with the website. They want to love their website too.

They love my design aesthetic. 

“I want a really high-end looking website.”

“Your designs are so classic and chic”

I truly partner with my clients during my design process. 

Clients love the 1-on-1 branding calls we have along the way. They love seeing their website vision come to life. 

What is a branding call? It’s our special time together to hash out not just their online business processes, align their brand messaging with the design, and create light website copy.

“I look forward to the weekly calls”

“You really helped me clarify what me and my business coach have been working on for weeks.”

To Wrap it All Up

Working with a website designer is an experience. As entrepreneurs, we get to choose the experiences we have with our business.

Browse some portfolios and book a few consultations. Take the time to pick the right Website Designer for YOU!

I’d love to create a website you and your clients love! Schedule a complimentary consultation here.

If we haven’t had the chance to connect before, Hey! I’m Erica Johnson-Maquilon - Creative Director, Website Designer, Social media manager, and brand strategist for entrepreneurs, content creators, and overall AMAZING people. If you enjoyed this and want even more EPM in your entrepreneur life, let’s connect:

Check out my services. I design custom Squarespace, Shopify, WordPress, and Wix websites for entrepreneurs in many industries! I also manage business Social Media accounts and share their brand stories with Public Relations. Maybe you’re my next AWESOME client.

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Listen to my podcast. Busy like my clients? Listen to all things content-blogging, video, social media, and e-mail marketing on the go! The Content Cure.co podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, Anchor, and other platforms. If you liked this post you’ll love the episodes.

To connect directly, send me a DM, or email hello@epartnersmarketing.com. Thanks for stopping by!