Blue Horizons have built over 600 websites and ironically, with all of the advances in technology seemingly making life easier, we feel that website builds are more complex and harder to navigate than ever before!
Transparency, integrity and open communication are how we like to operate so we thought it would be useful to put a guide together outlining, from a client's perspective, what will be expected of them during the website build process.
Take the time to outline your website requirements
It all starts with the initial scope and although it can be tempting to jump straight into how you want your website to look; first must come function.
Ensure that you consider the following:
- How big? How many products? If a migration, how many orders/customers? Roughly how many pages? Are there blog posts to add?
- Integrations - what third party integrations are required? Shipping or inventory management? Email platforms such as Klaviyo?
- Functionality - what do you need your website to do? Have you considered future-proofing your website?
- Realistic timeframes* - Do you require the project to be completed by a particular date?
We appreciate that things pop up along the way and adaptations need to be made, this is a natural part of the design process. If a request for functionality comes up that is far outside of the agreed scope then do expect to be quoted and charged for the additional work involved.
*Having completed literally hundreds of website projects, we have a pretty accurate idea on how long things take. However, we have no control over how long it takes a client to come back to us.
Be clear on internal responsibilities within your own team
It will help your website agency if you can decide before engaging their services who within your business is taking responsibility for the project. Here at Blue Horizons we are happy to be flexible and work collaboratively as part of your existing team but we need to know who should be kept in the loop and who is able to make decisions - it can be quite awkward for us to get caught up in internal politics!
Have a think about how you would like to work with your website agency. What will be the process? Are you happy to be guided or do you have set processes that you need to follow?
Source and organise necessary assets and passwords
To ensure the project maintains momentum we recommend getting the following ready as soon as possible:
- Brand - logo files, specific artwork such as icons, packaging, fonts and colours and brand guidelines if you have them.
- Imagery - access to any existing product and lifestyle images.
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Product information - supplied ideally as a spreadsheet or simple Word document containing:
+ Product titles
+ Product descriptions
+ Prices
+ Images
+ Options available (size, colour)
+ Product brand
+ Categories (the product should be in)
+ Any other key details you want to showcase or allow customers to filter by (e.g materials, ingredients, suitability etc) - Domain registration details - these will be needed before going live.
- Third party integrations - collate all log-ins and passwords.
Be honest
We promise not to get offended with any feedback that you give us. What we do ask is that you take the time to articulate what it is you do or do not like so that we can understand the thought process behind it and rectify or find a suitable alternative solution.
Often the best outcomes arise from a collaborative design process.
Check through things thoroughly
Your website agency will obviously review things their end, however, they will not know the ins and outs of your business. Take the time to check through everything thoroughly.
As part of our process we provide you with your own 'preparing your site for launch checklist'. Head over to our blog for your guide to testing your new Shopify store and getting ready to launch.
Take ownership
Your website agency can only go so far with setting things up for you; ultimately your website is your responsibility.
Here at Blue Horizons we encourage our clients to be empowered to do things for themselves. We do not agree with 'gate keeping' information and are happy to show you how to make changes in all aspects of your store and platform.
Of course, we are always on hand to offer advice and support and Shopify Help is accessible 24/7.
