Frequently Asked Questions

Why I do packages vs charging hourly.

Not really a question, but worth answering since when my clients show up, the first barrier we will pass through together is money.

The design process is very unique, according to how often we work together and how that unfolds. Hours and hours are expended in the design process, and if I charged hourly, in a very short time, it would become unaffordable for you. So I bite the bullet, because I love designing (it’s one way I create art) and figure one day, when I have a waiting list, I’ll change it.

For today, you get me, helping you create a web presence you can love and also drive yourself and I do that using packages.

Depending on how many bells & whistles you need/want for your web presence, you’re looking at a range from $99 – $489.

To understand exactly what you are paying for (‘What does $99 include?’ …all the way up to ‘What does $489 include?’) you can see that here: http://myndemayfield.com/technology/packages/

When will my website be up & running?

How fast it happens is partly dependent on you. If you want the basics, I’ll do more of the heavy lifting and all those pieces can take place in days or even hours.

If it’s important for you to have a web design that represents you, and what you’re doing, there is an interview process to understand your vision and then me creating a design that makes you happy about your website. This part can take up to a week or two. The caveat is how many times you change your mind based on what I put together for you.

Also, let’s just get this on the table… I will not be able to hit it out of the park on the first try. Sometimes I get really really close, but I hardly ever do it on the very first try.

How will I know if I need a blog or just a traditional website?

I’ll answer this question with a question. Sorry, but that’s one way we get to clarity :).

What do you plan to do with your web presence? If you plan on writing regularly, in an effort to bridge the gap (for your web visitors) between “just checking things out” and “I love, love, love working with you and would refer you to everyone I know!” you’ll be looking at blogging.

If you simply want a destination spot on the web where people can find out about you, maybe book a session, something like that… or simply provide info and do nothing else, Thesis (the WordPress template I use & recommend) is so flexible, we can set it up in any of these ways; blog or traditional (we can even start with Blogger if WordPress feels like too much) .

And knowing the answer to this question (website or blog?) will drive which package option might be best for you.

You can check out more about the difference between the two in my post “Blog or Website, Which Is Best?”

What about after the design process, when I’m ready to do the driving? How does that work?

Training takes place online, where I show you my desktop using some cool technology. We use your blog admin panel and I go through the steps, answer your questions about creating & maintaining content, making updates to your web presence. Most of my clients are up and running in about 60-120 minutes of this type of training. Not all at once. 30 minutes here, an hour there, etc.

Plus I’ll load you up with links to tutorials or other written information to support and anchor what we learn together. I can also provide a video of our training sessions, however, most of my clients find the video offers them comfort for stepping into this learning circle, yet they rarely return to it. Instead, they may email me a specific question or refer to some online resources I provide.

What else, besides designing & training, can I expect from working with you?

Well, I can also help you with the content part. A lot of times, we get so distracted with not knowing the technology part, we forget about the content. Which is as important (if not more) than the design piece.

If you need some help developing your content, I can help you figure out the basics (baby steps) or refer you to people who have and are helping me. I do not write your content though. That is up to you to do. It’s your heart, your business. I will provide you guidance & feedback and just cheerlead you forward with wild applause and some occasional booty-shakin’.

Everything in life is a process. I can say that because I’m also a life coach and because it’s true. The most important part is taking the first step. And with my coaching background, I can offer you some compassionate support and crack a few good jokes along the way.

What happens if I change my mind, midway through, and decide I’d like to work with someone else?

Well, this can happen. Life is sometimes messy. One of my main values in working with someone is communication. And not just good communication when things are peachy… but staying in it long enough to communicate about what’s not working and why; working to resolve it or creating a separation plan together. It’s about honoring one another.

This is also why I like working using packages. Because we can see clearly what the planned deliverables are in advance.

I am committed to delivering all the bells & whistles featured in your package. That one is easier to see the delineation between complete or not complete.

Design, however, is less clear. And this is where we’d need to communicate and agree together about what will honor both of us. Did I deliver a design you love? Ok, how about one that will work for now? Did I keep trying and coming to the table and delivering on your requests? Have I provided you with all the design expertise and talent I have? Have I asked a million questions if I’m not clear? These are all the questions I’ll be asking myself when & if we find ourselves in the middle of “firing” each other.

Gosh, that’s kinda negative. Why do you talk about the end if we haven’t even started?

Because I’ve learned the hard way. I’ve learned that when you care enough about a project, relationship, client… whatever, you’ll plan for the end. And, say it out loud to the other person (the hard part). So why not do it in the beginning, when things are peachy?

I believe endings are as important as beginnings (and from my life coach-y standpoint, I actually believe they are more important.) That’s because what we leave unfinished, follows us into the next thing (project, relationship, client). And I’d rather leave, end or finish on the best possible note, wouldn’t you?

Do you have some other questions I haven’t yet answered?

You can email me, however the best way to figure the rest of it out is to set up a time for us to chat.  You can do that online at http://myndemayfield.com/contact-me/.