Hi I’m Chris Waters and yes, I build, design and produce websites. But unlike other designers I’m not just interested in making something that looks pretty, it needs to be functional, and purpose built. The way I look at it is that I build online marketing tools. Digital website applications that are designed around a specific goal, for a specific audience to achieve a specific purpose. Anyone can make a website that looks great. That’s easy. I’ve chosen to make it my career goal to build websites that perform, otherwise what’s the point?
I’m one of those weird people who are equally geeky, arty and social. I love getting thousands of lines deep in code, just as much as I enjoy finding efficiencies in project management and communication.
Working with me is like getting the workforce and sole attention of a large agency at a freelancers fee. Sounds attractive, right?
GETTING THE BALANCE JUST RIGHT
Through years of managing the work forces of multiple creative agencies I’ve discovered the balance between clearly articulated project structures, and flexible relationships expectations.
I’m formulaic in my approach, working to pre-defined review rounds, project scope and budgets, yet I place a high value on relationships which keeps things flexible and organic.
I’m interested in a) producing great work and b) creating great working relationships. I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve these two things.
At the end of the day my reputation stands and falls on the work I produce and the relationships I build. This is why people choose to work with me time and time again.
PROCESS PROCEEDS PRODUCTIVITY
A typical project timeline.
The first step in the process is a conversation around the scope of the project. What you want the website too do, how you want it to look, any specific functionality or rigid deadlines that might effect the bottom line.
It’s during this phase that we will discuss what you want the website to achieve and how the website can best accomplish this.
This meeting can be a casual sit down conversation over coffee, phone call or video meeting, it’s up to you. The important thing is that during this meeting we put pen to paper and get a strong idea of what you want with your website.
Some clients have a rigid fully conceptualised idea of what they want, others want advice and input. At the end of the day I’m here to support and help you get your ideas out and help shape them.
After I’ve gone through this information I pull together an agreement which outlines the scope of the project and everything pertaining to it. The document is designed to keep me accountable and serve as a sounding board during the course of the project.
Once the quote is approved and the agreement is signed an initial invoice is sent which represents a portion of the projects full fee.
Once we have a signed agreement we can then lockdown the timelines outlines in the document. A strong and specific timeline helps keep me accountable and ensures the projects momentum is maintained, an element which is important for consistency is design and output.
Usually I find that a standard small-medium business website takes around 6 weeks to develop from start to finish. This timeline is largely depend on the client providing timely feedback on completed draft designs. If you are prompt in giving your feedback then the timeline can be cut down.
Working together with high communication we’ll hit the deadline and get your website up and working for you.
The meat of the project is centered around a design and feedback cycle I’ve developed over the years, based on my experinances managing large digital agencies. The basic structure is as follows.
- First draft developed.
- First round of feedback provided.
- Second draft development.
- Second round of feedback provided.
- Third draft developed.
- Third round of feedback provided.
- Final submission and approval.
As we move through the project together the idea is that you have plenty of opportunity to provide your feedback, and at the same time we are zeroing in on your dream website.
Feedback is structured and provided through the use of an online tool, further support with an optional phone or video call.
Once we are both happy with how the website looks it’s time to go over it with a fine tooth comb and make sure it works on every device, in every circumstance.
Checking links, ecommerce functionality, contact forms, I go over everything so you have the peace of mind that it will work.
Finally, it’s time for us to get the website live on the internet.
The exact details of how this is rolled out are different for every project and effected by a number of factors (are we replacing an existing website, are we setting up emails, where is the website being hosted?).
Regardless of how the migration is executed what’s important is that we get a smooth transition. In most circumstances it’s possible to have a zero downtime transition where the old website is replaced seamlessly.
Once the website is up and running my job isn’t done. For every project I take on I offer a 30 day warranty which covers an pre existing bugs in the website.
After the 30 days have expired I’m keen to continue to support you and help scale the site as your business develops and needs change. There are two main ways this can happen.
- Ongoing support agreement – an agreement which includes monthly updates to the websites software, plugins and security, regular backups and bug fixes when anything goes wrong. This agreement has a monthly fee which is debited from the clients credit card.
- Hourly rate – a standard hourly rate outlines in our initial agreement.
How you want to engage with me after the project is completely is totally up to you.
Design Philosophy
01.
Simplicity wins02.
Authenticity is everything
03.
Strategy is the brother of creativity
04.
Credibility begins with aesthetics
05.
A focus on culture moves a brand forward
06.
The consumer rules the world
07.
Don’t lose emotion in execution
08.
Design isn’t art —
art is a servant to design
09.
Technology is creative
10.
Results matter
