This is a general overview of what happens, all designs are different but you can expect pretty much the same process from an eBay store to a shopping cart design. We only go to the next step after you okay the design so far for that step. You will need to keep a check on your emails at least once a day in order for the design to stay on schedule. Designs can take anywhere from 1 - 3 weeks, depending upon how fast my emails are answered and how complex the design is. For instance, if doing a complex illustration it may take the full 3 weeks for completion; if doing something simple like stripes or swirls my time isn't spent on intricate details as it would be on an illustration. I sometimes accept as many as 3 or 4 custom projects at a time, so if you email me about a design change one day I may be able to show you an update almost right away while the next day you may email me and it might be a few hours or the next day before I show an update. These are things to keep in mind during the design process.
- Payment must be made prior to beginning a custom design. If we've worked out a payment schedule, 50% of payment must have been made before we begin this process.
- Before starting any design, I need to know from you exactly what you want. If you just tell me you want something red with some spunk, I am going to need a little more information than that. So, in replacement of reading your mind I am going to send you a questionnaire on what it is you are after. This questionnaire will ask things like 'What are some websites that you like the design of?' or 'What is it that you don't like about your favorite website?' So, you will need to do a little research on what kind of design you want. If you have a sketch and would like to send me, super! If not, that is okay too but I will need a little more information about the style you are seeking.
- After I receive your answers from the questionnaire, I will begin working on a design for you. This design will stay in Photoshop until the final 'ok' is given to begin transforming it into a web layout. You will see the design as a big image - a mock-up. I may send one mock-up image of the design or a few, depending upon what kind of design you are looking for. With each design you must tell me if you like it or don't like it, if you don't like it I need to know why. This is one of the most important part of the design process. During this part of the process, if you are able to check your emails a few times through out the day, this will speed up this part of the process. I will usually do at least two major alterations. So, if you absolutely hate the layout of the first design, I will show you another; or if you hate the illustration or graphics, I will change them. If more than two major alterations are asked for, it would require additional payment.
- After a final okay is given by you, I will begin to take apart the Photoshop design and turn it into code for your website. Before this process, you will need to understand that once I begin taking apart the design and coding it any changes after I begin coding will require additional fees for time based on the hours it takes to re-do the code (if necessary.) The reason for this is that if you decide you want a completely different layout AFTER I have broken up and coded the design, I will have to go back to the drawing board to re-code and that takes time. My fees are broken up to $10.00 for every half-hour it takes to re-code a design. Again, before this step I will clarify that when I begin to code that changes after this step will require additional fees. Minor tweaks would not require additional payment. During this stage if you already have your website, you'd be seeing the design with an HTML file I'd send you (or a link to the design.)
- After I code your design, the finishing touches are made for approval. Finishing touches include the text font style and color changes, the link font style and color changes. So, if we started out as Comic Sans font and you decide you would rather have Georgia font, that will be an easy change (it would not require change fees for things like that.) You will need to decide on these kind of changes before installation. Also included in this step is the uploading of the graphics for your design. Either I can send you the images or you can let me upload them for you-either way is fine, although it would be faster if you allowed me to do so. I will also have already checked to make sure the design works in all major browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.) And that the design passes W3C validation. eBay stores will comply with eBay policies on store design.
- After the coding is finished, time for installation. Before installation, if you have a balance, the rest of the payment must be made before installing your design. Installation may require uploading of graphics (unless we completed that in the step before.) Either I can install for you, or send you the code to install yourself. It would be faster if I have access to your Store Admin for us to install, just in case something comes up during installation I will be right there to fix it. But, if you are not comfortable with that (as it would require your login information) then I can send you the files for you to install.
- Installation has taken place and time for you to review your site one more time. Most web designs don't require up-keep or any maintenance. eBay store designs, if you have a custom navigation and want to change a category or subcategory either instructions will be provided for you OR you have the option of hiring us for the changes-that applies to custom eBay store navigation only. If you have a shopping cart template, changes are automatic if you make the changes in your Store Admin section.
- Unless we have discussed or if this was included, you are responsible for your website copy (the information), meta tags for search engine optimization, product uploads and product images, all additional page information (about, policies, etc.)
- And that is that! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!
