web design faqs
How early should I reach out about my project?
We start new web design projects generally every month to every other month. This means it can be a minimum of 4 months between when you book and when your new website would launch, so we recommend reaching out between 4-6 months ahead of time to secure your spot in our project queue.
How much work is required on my end?
The whole point of hiring an expert to work on your website is to take things OFF your plate. However, this process works best when you can dedicate time and attention to your project to ensure you get the best results!
We give our clients a minimum of 2-3 weeks to prepare for their project between signing your contract and starting. This time is needed to complete a branding questionnaire, web design brainstorming document and creating a Pinterest board. During the project, it’s best to plan for a few hours per week to review tasks and send feedback. When the staging site is ready to review you may need a few days carved out to review thoroughly!
How do you handle site speed?
Our site speed review process covers a wide arrange of items that often contribute to poor site speed, such as theme optimization, plugin review and optimization, image optimization and hosting updates and recommendations when needed.
Our simple goal in this is to make sure every Grace + Vine Studios website passes Core Web Vitals and page speeds are within passing ranges. Our team monitors this progress through Google Search Console for at least 28 days after launch to make sure everything validates.
Will my site be down during the process?
The short answer is nope!
We use a staging site to finalize your new website design which allows us to seamlessly push the design to your live site! This is done through your hosting company and instantly pushes everything live. Our team then reviews for anything that might not have transferred over, but there is virtually zero down time for your audience during this time!
How long does the design process take?
Our web design process is typically around 8 weeks long, from branding, to web design to development! There is also support and monitoring provided after the new website goes live.
What if I already have a logo?
In order to deliver results for our clients, going through our branding and logo design process is required. For clients in the past who loved their logo before, they were surprised and delighted to find that they loved the new branding even more and it elevated their entire experience of redesigning!
What is the payment process?
There is a 35% non-refundable deposit required to secure your spot, a 35% payment due at the start of the project and a final 30% payment due at launch.
Can you work with my team?
Absolutely! It’s important that we work directly with you throughout the process but we welcome the involvement of your team as needed.
What type of support do you offer after the launch?
We leave room in our schedule to be able to support small projects for past clients! You’re welcome to reach out anytime you need additional support or work completed on your website. We do not have a monthly agreement, so this is strictly as needed.
Do you follow best practices for ______? (site speed, accessibility, SEO)
Yes we do! We work with a stellar team of people who all do our best to be up to date on best practices in all areas.
Do you work with ads?
We have worked closely with both AdThrive and Mediavine for our clients in the past. We do not change any ad placements on your website, this is all controlled through your ad network, but we are happy to partner with them to make any design changes needed to accommodate your ads or troubleshoot any site speed issues.
How do you handle future updates to the site?
We leave room in our schedule to be able to support small projects for past clients! You’re welcome to reach out anytime you need additional support or work completed on your website. We do not have a monthly agreement, so this is strictly as needed.
What does the web design package include?
After working with so many food bloggers, we have crafted a web design package that includes all of the must haves for food bloggers. The web design package includes the design & development of these pages and templates:
- Homepage
- Recipe Index
- Category Template
- Blog Post Template
- Search/Archive Page
You’re also able to add on additional pages such as an about page, podcast page, etc., for an additional fee.
Do you design Pinterest templates, media kits, etc.?
Yes! These are all available as add ons to your project. The web design project includes one marketing item (such as Pinterest templates) but additional items can be added on.
How many logo designs do I get?
You will receive one branding concept presented to you with all of the details including submarks and alternative logo designs. There is one additional concept allowed if needed, but for 99% of our clients the first concept is the one that is used!
What final files will I get?
You’ll receive a full branding guide to help you use your logo as needed, alternative logo, desktop font files, launch graphics to share your new site, your primary logo, social media banners, a submark and website screenshots to be able to share.
I want to be able to update _____ in the future. Can I do that?
During your onboarding phase you’ll be given a web design brainstorming document to share anything we should know about your ideas and preferences. If there is something specific that you’ll want to be able to update you can share that with us there but in general, we try to design everything in a way that you can make your own updates and changes in the future!
Do I work directly with Madison?
During the strategy phase you will work directly with Madison to set the foundation for your brand and website. Throughout the other phases of the project you will work with Madison plus our amazing team of brand designers.
How will we communicate throughout the project?
Before your project begins we will communicate through email. Once the project begins, we’ll add you to Asana, our project management system, where all of the communication will take place. This helps everyone easily be able to find where conversations are and stay up to date with project progress.
branding intensive faqs
Will I get input when it comes to choosing the logo/design?
Yes! When developing your logo, we approach it with a high level of strategy. We present you with one logo that aligns with a strategy and we collaborate with you until we reach the best version of it that suits you.
What if I already have a logo that I like?
We believe that as your blog continues to grow, your niche will be refined, and so will your brand. Because of that, we love to provide you with a logo that supports the strategy in where your blog is headed. We collaborate with you to provide you with a logo you love, which can certainly pay homage to your previous logo.
designer day faqs
Is there an option to do a 3-hour DFAD as opposed to 6 hours?
We do not offer half days at this time.