Need Help?

Client Website Launch or Rebuild

AccordusU

ACCORDUS WEBSITE LAUNCH OR REBUILD PROCESS:

Decide which category your client’s site falls into:

– The client has no previous site, and we are building from scratch 

– The client has a previous site and we are making changes/upgrades as we rebuild 

– The client has a previous site and we are just moving it to SS with minor changes

– The client has a site, we are not rebuilding but maintaining/adding pages

 

 

Here is the sitemap template you will need as well. Please make a copy of this template for your client.

The client has no previous site, and we are building from scratch

Begin by reaching out to Desiree and Adrienne. 
 
  1. ESTABLISH CLEAR BRAND/GET ASSETS: Create and finalize branding for client (logo, colors, fonts, etc)  or get all branding assets from the client if they already have brand already established. Save in DB.
  2. BEGIN COLLECTING PHOTOS: Have the client begin collecting photos and/or pull example stock photos they like if we will be using stock.  Save in DB.
  3. EXAMPLE SITES: Have the client send example sites or show them sample sites from other clients to get an idea of what they like/don’t like, bring in the creative director if you need sample sites to show that fit this specific client
  4. MAKE A COPY AND FILL OUT HOMEPAGE COPYWRITING MOCKUP 
    • At this stage, if the client doesn’t have a clear mission statement and other relevant copy necessary for a homepage mockup, we need to have our writer create this copy and have it approved by the client
    • You will need to walk through the mockup form with the client and have them decide what they want to include on the homepage. The mockup includes our suggestions, but we can be flexible and change things as they desire. Our writers can then flesh out what text will go on the homepage using the outline you and the client decide on. We can write the text based on the information the client provides or the client can provide the text. 
    • We need the homepage copywriting mockup completed with copy from our writer or the client before asking the designer to begin working on the design
  5. HOMEPAGE MOCKUP TO DESIGNER
    • In the task to the designer include the completed copywriting mockup form from the client/our writer, any relevant direction or information given from the client, direction on photos the client has provided and/or stock images, any example sites the client likes, and all brand assets/logos from step 1
    • Give at least a full week (preferably 2) for a mock-up homepage from the designer
    • Have all pages and entire site QAd with Creative Director BEFORE showing the client
  6. REMAINDER OF SITE BUILD OUT
    • Once the homepage is approved by the client, begin assigning the rest of the pages to our writer/designer (this stage can take 3-4 weeks depending on the size of the site and how quickly the client is able to provide information, etc). 
    • Use the Website Templates to have writer/client build out further pages with content/copy
    • Ask client for relevant information to build out these pages (photos of staff, content and copy, blog posts, shop information, etc
    • Work with Database to set-up FundraiseUp or get relevant information from client to set up their donor/giving platform
    • Connect Mailchimp/email newsletter sign-ups if relevant 
    • Connect all social media platforms to site
    • Set up shop information if relevant (Shopify, etc.) 
  7. DOMAIN SETUP
    • Work with Garrett Dexter (Web Team)  and the client to set up web domain transfer for when the site is set to go live.
  8. QA PROCESS
    • Have all pages and entire site QAd with Creative Director BEFORE showing the client
    • Have entire site QAd by Copy Editor (Kelsey) and Creative Director (Adrienne)  before going live  

The client has a previous site and we are making changes/upgrades as we rebuild

Begin by reaching out to Desiree and Adrienne. 

  1. ASSESS AND REVIEW OLD SITE 
    • Have the client go through their old site and make notes of what they like/don’t like and what they want on their new site. And/or have our team go through their old site and make suggestions of what we could improve/change with the rebuild and then pitch this for approval to the client. Make clear notes for the designer about their desires and changes. 
    • Build a sitemap of their current site.
  2. EXAMPLE SITES
    • Have client provide example sites they like 
  3. COLLECT ALL ASSETS 
    • Collect brand assets and photos if we don’t already have these for the new site 
    • Go through our homepage mockup with the client to layout the homepage. 
  4. MAKE A COPY AND FILL OUT HOMEPAGE COPYWRITING MOCKUP 
    • Either move the copy from the old site into the template if we aren’t making changes, or have our writer go through and update/change the copy for the new site from the old site. 
  5. HOMEPAGE DESIGN: Have our designer mockup a new homepage 
    • In the task to the designer include the completed copywriting mockup form from the client/our writer, any relevant direction or information given from the client, direction on photos the client has provided and/or stock images, any example sites the client likes, and all brand assets/logos from step 1

Give at least a week for a mock-up homepage from the designer

Follow steps 6-8 from the above process (same as new start rebuild for QA and site launch)

**be sure all old email addresses transfer to the new platform (ie. from WIX to SS)

 

 

The client has a previous site and we are just moving it to SS with minor changes

  1. ASSESS AND REVIEW OLD SITE
    • Have client review and note what changes they want on the new site if any
    • Have our team look at their oldsite and make notes of what can be moved/what us compatible with Squarespace, etc, 
    • Complete a sitemap of their current site.
  2. COPY & DESIGN
    • If any new copy is needed assign this out to the writer and assign the designer to begin moving the site over 
  3. DOMAIN TRANSFER
    • Work with Garrett Dexter (Web Team)  to transfer domain over and ensure all email addresses transfer 
  4. CONNECT OUTSIDE PLATFORMS 
    • Mailchimp, social media platforms, shop, etc. 
  5. QA SITE BEFORE LAUNCH 
    • New site must be QAd by Creative Director and Writer before launch  

The client has a site, we are not rebuilding but maintaining/adding pages

  1. CHECK WITH CREATIVE DIRECTOR TO ENSURE WE CAN MAKE EDITS/BUILD PAGES ON THEIR WEB PLATFORM (IF THEY USE SOMETHING OTHER THAN SQUARESPACE) IF WE HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON THEIR SITE
    • Obtain all login information, etc.
  2. OUTLINE PAGE WITH CLIENT 
    • Have the client provide a basic outline of the page and any relevant content like photos or text
    • Have client provide specific edits they want on a page 
  3. COPY FIRST!
    • Have client/our writer work on the copy for the specific page (use templates as outline) before assigning design
  4. DESIGN OF PAGE/EDITS TO PAGES
    • Include a thorough explanation of edits/page builds for designer with any relevant photos, copy, forms, links, etc. 
  5. QA
    • All pages must be QAd by the Creative Director and Copy Editor BEFORE we show the client and before we launch the page
AccordusU
All Courses
Search
Top