FAQs
Q: What’s covered in the website building process?
A The following elements:
- discovery…Creative Brief, goals, target audience, message, call to action, research
- Site Map
- wireframes (great explanatory article)
- moodboards…’look and feel’ layouts of colors/fonts/UI elements (learn more)
- prototypes…working web page(s) in development
- testing…the usual ‘see what’s not working in IE’ and fix it ;-)
- WP template files…using the approved prototype to make WP template files
- widget configuration…some widgets require CSS styling, etc.
- testing
- implementation to client server.
Q: What will it cost?
A Short answer–it depends. On project type. On project scope. On delivery schedule.
Long answer–roughly this for websites:
- $3800+ for simple responsive custom WordPress site
- $5500+ for complex responsive custom WordPress site
- $7500+ for complex responsive custom site with specialty coding, e-commerce, etc.
Q: Why does Azzcat Design want to know my budget?
A So that we can be on the same page. Face it, you’re looking for results. You have $XXXX to spend. We need to strike a balance between your needs, wants and budget. Don’t worry, a simple budget range is sufficient. Read a perfect explanation of Why Designers Ask About Budget.
Q: What type of payments do you take?
A Checks made out to Azzcat Design or PayPal payments (via your PP account or credit card).
Q: How do you invoice?
A A non-refundable retainer and signed contract are required to begin the discovery phase. Payment percents are usually 50/50 or 40/30/30. Final payment is required before delivery.
Q: What is a Creative Brief?
A It’s a document outlining contact information, project goals, target audience and budget range. Here’s Azzcat Design’s Creative Brief.
Q: What is a Site Map?
A Basically, it’s just an outline of your site’s pages. Ideally, each page that your site will contain and how the pages will link together—displayed in a simple diagram with boxes and lines. Learn more.
Q: What is a wireframe?
A A sketch of the User Interface (UI) layout. View samples: Frankly Realty, Azzcat Design.
Q: What is a moodboard?
A A collage of the ‘look and feel’/visual theme of website parts (colors/fonts/UI elements). Learn more. More samples.
Q: What is a prototype?
A A live web page or pages incorporating moodboard look & feel with approved UI. This is HTML/CSS/jQuery and will give you an opportunity to actively see how user will interact with site. View a development sample.
Q: What is a CMS?
A Content Management System. It allows you to manage the content of your web site without technical training and/or knowledge of HTML. Learn more.
Q: Why WordPress?
A Because WordPress is more than a blogging tool. It is a full-blown CMS. But don’t take my word for why WordPress rocks. Let’s defer to Jeffrey Zeldman.
Q: Don’t you deliver layered PSDs?
A No. What is the point in showing a picture of a website? Seems that it makes a helluva lot more sense to show a website and edit from there. Turns out I’m not the only designer who felt hobbled by the limitations of a PSD (Photoshop file):
- web fonts cannot be displayed in PSD
- live content cannot be displayed
- user interaction via dynamic CSS or JavaScript cannot be displayed
- fluid layouts aren’t fluid
- PSDs erroneously give the impression that all browsers render content in identical fashion
- PSDs waste time attempting to simulate CSS-controlled visual effects (box-shadows, gradations, etc.)
- PSD edits are far more expensive and time-consuming than CSS edits
Read more from Andy Clarke, Meagan Fisher and Mule Design.
Q: What About…
A So many questions (so little time)! Good thing my friends from WeeNudge have it covered!
Of course, if you have a question that isn’t addressed here, please drop me a line! ;-)