Getting Started
Thank you for trusting me with your Design! Below are recommended products and services which contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Rest assured that I will not endorse any product without having used and tried it first hand for myself or with my clients.
If you would like a more handwritten feel to your logo.
Your Domain Name. Watch my tutorial and read tips on how to purchase and select a good name.
Where your website is stored. Select the “Baby Plan”. Watch my tutorial on how to purchase.
Use Shopify only if you are an Ecommerce store selling products.
You will need this theme for a WordPress informational website.
If you would like to send out email campaigns and collect leads, use Mailmunch.
Design Process Work Flow
Below is the design process work flow listed step by step so you know what to expect with each stage of design. Setting these parameters ensures that your project will run smoothly with no surprises and most importantly be delivered on time and on budget. It is also crucial that we stay on time so that all goals are met.
All Estimates + Invoices are in CAD.
- After preliminary discussion, I will send you an Estimate.
- After Estimate is approved, I will send you an Invoice. The Invoice will state all the details of your project.
Deposit
If your project is over $250, a non-refundable 50% deposit is required before commencement of any work. Balance is to be paid upon project completion / before website goes live or within 45 days whichever comes first.
If your project is under $250, full balance must be paid before commencement of any work.
Payment forms:
- Email Money Transfer (hello@marinaduque.com)
- Paypal (hello@marinaduque.com)
- Credit Card (payable through system)
When you are ready to start your design, fill out this Design Questionnaire below. Doing so will give me a better understanding of your design style and what types of web functionality you would like. Provide as much information as you can. I also encourage you to provide any sketches (even if you have to use a napkin), drawings, other samples to aid in the design process. I will require all of your images and copy ideas before the start of your project (Refer to Step 3).
Dropbox
I will create a personal and private Dropbox link for you. This is where we can share files. You do not need to have an account, however it would be beneficial to do so. It’s free!
File Submissions
Logo
Provide your logo in vector format (PDF), or high resolution transparent PNG.
If you do not have a logo, and if you are an individual, I highly recommend getting a signature logo from Photologo. I have referred many clients to use their services as well as my own name logo is designed by them!
If you have hired me to design your logo, and depending on my current schedule, I will send you a proof between 7 – 10 days. You are allowed 3 rounds of revisions for changes/modifications. I encourage you to mix and match any of the designs and tweak colours. If changes/modifications exceed 3 passes, my hourly rate of $80 will be applied.
If you have hired me to do your logo only, once the design has been finalized, remaining balance is due before I supply all final artwork. You will receive a project sign off form stating that the project is now closed.
Web Copy
Please create a document in Microsoft Word or Google Docs (this can be shared with me at hello@marinaduque.com) with all the text copy for your website. Organize each set in pages. For example, have “Biography/About” on Page 1, “Products & services” on Page 2, etc.
Print Copy
Please do in the same manner as Web Copy.
Photos / Images
Provide Photos and Images in high res format.
*If you have hired Cheryl to do your copywriting (see left for Copywriting Services), her and I can connect on file submission.
WordPress
WordPress is best suited for informational websites. It does not come with a Domain Name (www.yourcompany.com) or Hosting (where your website is stored). If you do not have the following, you will need these 3 things:
- Domain Name: Purchase and register your domain name with Godaddy. Follow my tutorial here on how to purchase your domain name.
- Hosting: Purchase the Baby Plan from Hostgator. Follow my tutorial here on how to purchase your hosting. Make sure that you select the option “I already have a Domain Name”.
- Website Theme: WordPress uses themes. There are a thousand themes out there but the one I use is Avada. It’s my number 1 go to because of it’s versatility. If this means nothing to you, that’s ok! I will take care of it for you :). Avada’s theme costs $60USD for each licence. Please register an account with Envato and purchase the Avada theme.
After you have signed up for both these services, email me your:
- Godaddy username and password.
- Hostgator CPANEL username and password. They would have sent you in a welcome email.
- Avada Licence Code. Download and email me the Licence code in the PDF. Click here to see where to get the code.
Changes
Because of the intricacies of web design, I usually work on this on a case by case basis in terms of set up and design, however the same general rules apply. You are allowed 3 rounds of revisions for changes/modifications after web design is completed. If changes/modifications exceed 3 passes, my rate of $90/hour will be applied. Once the design has been finalized, remaining balance is due before the site is made live. You will receive a project sign off form stating that the project is now closed.
Shopify
Shopify is best suited for ecommerce websites and has it’s own built in hosting which is your monthly fee.
It is best to get your domain through Shopify. If you already have your domain name purchased through Godaddy, that is not a problem, we can link them at the very end. If you have purchased a .ca (Canadian) domain elsewhere, note that Shopify doesn’t currently support domain transfers from .ca domains. You will still need to manage it from where you have purchased it from.
When you are ready, email me your Shopify username and password.
Changes
Because of the intricacies of web design, I usually work on this on a case by case basis in terms of set up and design, however the same general rules apply. You are allowed 3 rounds of revisions for changes/modifications after web design is completed. If changes/modifications exceed 3 passes, my rate of $90/hour will be applied. Once the design has been finalized, remaining balance is due before the site is made live. You will receive a project sign off form stating that the project is now closed.
I highly recommend using MailMunch to manage your campaigns. I use to recommend MailChimp in the past and that might be still the best lead generation app out there in terms of breaking down your stats and conversion rates, but MailMunch forms and UI is so much more easier to use. Their forms are also highly customizable making the design on your website more seamless.
If you are interested in gaining subscribers, sign up for MailMunch and send me your username and password so that I can integrate it into your website.
Also be sure to read my article on “Everything You Need to Know About a Lead Magnet” and why this is crucial to any newsletter sign up form.
At this stage, I will begin your design!
Proofing + Changes: Print
Once deposit has been received, I will send you a proof of the artwork at a specified time frame depending on your project (usually between 7-10 business days on regular projects). You are allowed 3 rounds of revisions for changes/modifications. This is why it is important to have all of your ducks in a row! If changes/modifications exceed 3 passes, my hourly rate of $90 will be applied. Once the design has been finalized, remaining balance is due before I supply all final artwork. You will receive a project sign off form stating that the project is now closed.
Proofing + Changes: Logo
Once deposit has been received, I will send you 2 logo concepts (depending on my current schedule, this can happen between 7-10 business days.) You are allowed 3 rounds of revisions for changes/modifications. I encourage you to mix and match any of the designs and tweak colours. If changes/modifications exceed 3 passes, my hourly rate of $90 will be applied. Once the design has been finalized, remaining balance is due before I supply all final artwork. You will receive a project sign off form stating that the project is now closed.
Proofing + Changes: Web
Because of the intricacies of web design, I usually work on this on a case by case basis in terms of set up and design, however the same general rules apply. You are allowed 3 rounds of revisions for changes/modifications after web design is completed. If changes/modifications exceed 3 passes, my lovely rate of $90 will be applied. Once the design has been finalized, remaining balance is due before the site is made live. You will receive a project sign off form stating that the project is now closed.
At this stage, you can do a final sweep of the entire website with allowance for any minor text changes.
We will set up a 1 hour phone tutorial, where I will walk you through the steps on how to access your website and make changes so that you can maintain it yourself. Fire up your computer/laptop, grab that pen and paper and a hot cup of tea/coffee!
After this tutorial, if you ever wish to refer back, you can visit the Maintenance page where I have video tutorials on how to use the Avada theme and WordPress.
- Fill out Design Questionnaire
- Upload all your files to Dropbox
- email me at hello@marinaduque.com, your usernames and passwords (if applicable) for:
~ Godaddy
~ Hosting (CPANEL only)
~ Avada Licence Code
~ Shopify
~ MailMunch - Fill out the Terms and Conditions directly below
And lastly, before I start your project, you will be directed back here to check this box to ensure that you agree with all the terms and conditions listed on this page.