Is it possible to create a professional website in 2 weeks?

Is it possible to create a professional website in two weeks? Great question! Many website designers have this added model to their business, and I think it’s an excellent idea. Being able to devote two weeks to designing a website for a client is fantastic. I have officially been a website designer for a year and can tell you that, yes, this is possible.  

Once all information is received from the client a website build doesn’t take more than a week. If I have all the information, I can build a website in a week and then make all necessary changes that the client would like the second week. A clear process outlined from the beginning will help move the design process along and make sure the client receives exactly what they want without waiting weeks or months. The timeframe is discussed in the initial consultation call.  

I like to introduce myself to my clients when we talk, through my website, and brochures I send to them. I am very excited to have started my own business as a website designer and have experience in small business, corporations, and nonprofits. I have worked and built websites for many years and am excited to help others reach their goals.  

INTRODUCTION - DONNA MAY 

My early years were formed in small businesses. My parents were business owners and taught me early on about the struggles, successes, and accomplishments of creating and growing a dream. After college, I worked in the corporate world and was proud to learn and be part of companies that endured through the years. The last 15 years I have spent volunteering and working with non-profits. In that time, I not only realized how important it is to have a web presence but how hard and clunky some of the sites were to use and update. I tried to find easier ways to keep all the information fresh and new without having to spend time and money waiting for others to update. After using other platforms, I found the Squarespace platform five years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed resurrecting old sites and building new ones. The most important part is giving others ownership and teaching them how to make updates on their own. 

INITIAL CONSULTATION MEETING 

This call usually lasts about 30 minutes and the client and website designer get a good feel for each other to see if they would work well together. In this meeting we introduce ourselves and discuss the scope of the project. After the call I send pricing information for the best package to fit the needs of the client, contract, and invoice for half of the cost. The other half will be invoiced before the training teaching session when the website is officially turned over to the client.  

Three meetings are set up once the contract is signed: 

• Pre-Design meeting 

• Week 1 Review 

• Teaching or Training Meeting 

PRE-DESIGN MEETING 

The two-week model starts with a Pre-Design meeting before the two-week website build. Before this meeting, a Project Form with many questions is delivered to the client so they can really think about what they want and need in a website. This goes through the design of the website and any need for functionality (commerce, scheduling, etc.). The Pre-Design meeting follows the Project Form. After this meeting, the client has “homework.” This is all the content, images, pictures, inventories, legal documents, and more. There is ample time to complete these tasks before the two-week design build.  

WEEK 1 

Week 1 is mostly the responsibility of the website designer. In my business I receive all the information through a client portal. I lay out this information and based on the notes from the Pre-Design meeting I begin to build a website.  

On Friday of the first week the client and website designer meet to review the website. Any suggestions from the client are appreciated during the meeting. After the meeting, the client will have read-only private access to their website for further review.  

WEEK 2 

The client has all weekend through Wednesday at 1pm of Week 2 to request an unlimited number of changes. 

On Thursday of Week 2 the client will receive a Digital Guide of how to use their website. This guide should be printed out so the client can take notes at the final meeting/teaching session on Friday of the second week. This guide will encompass customized additions to their website and more generalized information about Squarespace. I will show you your website and show you how to make changes to your website.  

CELEBRATION 

The final deposit invoice will be sent to the client ahead of the Teaching and Training Session. Once the remaining balance is received, I will turn over ownership of the website to the client. The client can choose the launch date for their website, and I will show them the toggle switch they need to change for their website to go LIVE. This is an exciting time!  

TWO WEEK DESIGN BUILD 

A Two-Week Website Design build will ensure that you have the website designer's undivided time. I want my client to receive the website they envisioned for their small business or organization. Something that they can learn how to update themselves and really enjoy. A website should not be a moment in time but should change and be updated as the business or organization changes.  

As you plan every aspect of your business or organization a website will be something everyone sees. You want it to reflect who and what the business or organization is all about. For everyone this is different. Look at my blog post, 5 Important Benefits of May Web Design.  

In my Welcome Package to new clients, I make sure they know their responsibilities as well as mine.  

May Web Design, LLC refreshes and creates affordable websites that enable clients to take ownership and update themselves on a Squarespace platform. I enjoy helping clients increase customer engagement with a website and improve their overall web presence. The most important part of my business is that when I have completed and reviewed the website with a client, I teach the client how to update their website so that they can keep it fresh and new. A website offers a 24/7 welcome to prospective members, showing them what your business or organization has accomplished and what you plan to do. If built correctly it should welcome people to the site and show them around in a comfortable way.   

If you are interested in discussing the needs of a website for your business or nonprofit organization, contact May Web Design, LLC. Starting out with a basic brochure website may be all that your business or organization needs. Your website should grow with you and change as needed. 

I work with my clients so that I may design the website they envision and, most importantly, teach them how to update their website to keep the information fresh and new. While you are busy building your small business or nonprofit, I can create a website to grow with your dreams. I have a list of services on my website as well as a portfolio of my websites and testimonial from past clients. You may even set up a free 30 minute initial consultation call to discuss your website project.