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Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know from details of the Branding and Website Design services, to how I work, lead times and whether or not I can eat a chocolate orange in one sitting.
General FAQs
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Absolutely! If you’re local it would be lovely to meet in person to discuss your project but thanks to the wonders of modern technology I can also work with clients globally.
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Yes. This is always a great idea to protect us both and makes sure our responsibilities are clear - as the client (you) and designer (me).
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You’ll probably first get in touch through the booking form on the website. Once your project is confirmed, we’ll have a phone or video call to chat through your project plan (or if you’re local I know a great coffee spot!). I’ll share access to your dedicated online client portal which will house everything you need, such as questionnaires and feedback forms. We’ll also communicate in there to avoid long email threads and use Dropbox to share any images, files and deliverables.
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Ha! I’m a self-confessed organisational Queen, and it’s this that helped me successfully run two e-commerce businesses, a small family and an extensive Sylvanian Families collection (not mine!) Jokes aside, deadlines make sure your project gets delivered on time - if target dates get missed it can obviously impact the remainder of your project, plus any others I may be working on. I’ll detail all deadlines in your contract and if they aren’t met, there might be a delay to your project or a rescheduling fee added to your invoice.
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If you love the aesthetic of the work in my portfolio then, chances are, I’m the perfect designer for you! If you’d like to chat before signing up, I’m always happy to do that (in-person or via Zoom) to make sure you’re totally comfortable and good to go. I’ve also created a handy list to help you decide whether we’ll make a good fit.
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Absolutely.
Branding design FAQs
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Brand design projects typically take around 4 weeks from start date to launch.
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Before we get started, I encourage you to have an in-depth look at your brand as a whole, including your customer profile, vision, mission and values, competitor research and your goals - this will help with the project’s focus and give me a better understanding of what you need. However, as part of the discovery process, I’ll also give you lots of prompts in these areas which can help you build the picture you need!
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I totally understand it’s nerve wracking to hand over your precious business (and hard-earned money!) to someone else. I assure you, the discovery process I’ve set up is incredibly detailed and I’m confident I can create something perfect for you. I would never take on a project unless I was certain I could do a great job.
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In this case you simply need a technician who can execute your idea or a one-size-fits-all logo template. I bring strategic thinking, storytelling and heart to a project, so if that’s not what you‘re looking for, I might not be the perfect fit for this particular project.
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“Just a logo” won’t portray the complete story of your brand and certainly won’t lead to long-term success. A full brand identity encompasses a broader range of elements such as colour palette, typography, imagery, messaging, and tone of voice, all of which work together to create a cohesive and memorable brand experience. Without a comprehensive brand identity, your brand may struggle to stand out in a crowded market and may fail to communicate its values, vision, and mission effectively to your audience.
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My in-depth discovery process means I really get to know your brand and understand exactly what you’re looking for. So far this process hasn’t failed me! However, you need to be 110% happy with your branding, so in the unlikely event that you are still not happy I can continue refinements at my currency hourly rate.
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Yes - and so much more. Take a look at my ‘little extras’ services for more details.
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I can either point you in the direction of trusted printers and suppliers (the best in the business) or I offer a print management service to take care of this for you. Take a look at my ‘little extras’ services for more details.
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For the branding experience, an initial deposit of 40% is required at the time of booking to secure your spot on my schedule. Upon the remaining 60% balance payment being received you will be able to download your full branding pack.
Website design FAQs
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You must have comprehensive branding in place (whether it’s designed by me or another designer), and a good idea of what you need from your website. Prior to the project start date, I will require your full, proof-read copy, all images (I only work with high quality images and photography). My website design process will be dictated by the copy and messaging of each page, not the other way around so it’s crucial this is prepared!
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Yes, providing the branding and correct files are available and it’s a strong brand identity. If I don’t feel like your current branding is telling your story or not up to scratch, I’ll be honest and let you know - there’s little point to having an outstanding website if your branding is not showing off your brand essence.
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Our website design service includes the implementation of basic on-site SEO and I hold a great understanding of SEO in general, so during the discovery process I will prompt and advise you to create SEO descriptions. However, I prefer to leave this very specialist subject to the professionals. I can happily point you in the direction of SEO specialists but any good copywriter should be able to SEO optimise your content. SEO is a very broad subject and getting it right, alongside great design and user experience, is the key to a highly-converting and ranking website - one that works hard for you in the background leaving you to do what you’re best at!
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I build websites on the Squarespace platform because it’s so user-friendly. Search engines love (and therefore rank higher) websites that are regularly updated! During handover I will usually walk you through your website over a video call to familiarise you with the platform and you will also receive my Squarespace User Guide to help you going forward. (Don’t worry - if the thought of delving into the back end of a website fills you with dread, I’m available at an hourly rate to make any updates you need post-launch!)
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Absolutely! Having run two of my own successful e-commerce brands, I’m experienced in creating optimised e-commerce websites with a seamless customer experience.
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Website design projects typically take between 4-6 weeks from start date to launch.
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Whilst I can write a mean one-liner, as a designer, that’s not where my skill set lies. I always recommend that luxury brands invest in professional copywriting - I can point you in the direction of some of the best copywriters in the business, please just ask. However, my Website Content Planner is included in your client portal should you choose to book with me, and this provides really useful and in-depth prompts for you to write your own website content.
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I exclusively use Squarespace for website build projects. In my opinion, it’s the best platform to use for small to medium businesses due to its flexibility, potential for beautiful design and technical superiority. Being a Squarespace Circle member means I get access to new releases and features before the public, so your website will always be the cream of the crop. Once handed over to you, my Squarespace User Guide together with their in-house, second-to-none 24/7 support means editing and updating your website will be straightforward and stress-free!
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Squarespace pricing can be found on their website but as a Squarespace Circle Member, I can offer you a 20% discount on your first year’s subscription (annual payments only). Your Domain is also payable separately - you can do this through Squarespace or I can connect another domain to your site.
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As standard, a non-refundable deposit of 40% is required prior to booking and the remaining 60% is to be paid upon completion of the website, before the project is handed over to you. Payment plans are available on request.
Mentoring and consultancy FAQs
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My mentoring sessions are designed to explore, brainstorm, strategise and plan, so that you feel empowered to make the required steps in your business. I will also act as your accountability partner during our working relationship which makes such a huge difference to progress. I’ll tailor our session/s based on you and your goals, I never use a one-size-fits all approach when it comes to mentoring and consulting.
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Not necessarily. I’ve worked with clients who have a nugget of an idea and helped them turn it into a sparkling business concept - backed with strategy, vision and heart. If you would like to use your session to ‘flesh out the bones’ of an idea, that sounds great to me!
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Absolutely. I’ve worked with product-based brands for over 18 years so I know my way around a range plan and I’ve got a great commercial sensibility. I can work with you to assess your offering and sales data, ensure it’s aligned with your brand vision, values and customer, and identify opportunities for growth.
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Because of my varied and colourful career to date, I’ve learnt some invaluable skills (and made some epic mistakes!) which I really enjoy sharing with other businesses. The areas in business I particularly enjoy are:
● Brand building and storytelling
● Understanding your customer
● The little details which add up to create your brand experience
● Digital marketing and content creation
● Social media
● Suppliers, sourcing and range building
● Eating a chocolate orange in one go -
If my 18+ years of experience, two successful brands and sparkling personality don't convince you, then why not listen to some of my previous mentees’ kind words?!
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Definitely. From my experience working in large design companies and my own two e-commerce brands, I have a wealth of contacts in print, production and manufacturing. One of my best skills is learning new ones so you can be sure that if I don't know how to do something I’ll jolly well find out how!
Question not answered?
Get in touch and I’ll be very happy to help!