<ul>

<li>Make your next</li>

<li>web design</li>
<li>project a</li>
<li>success</li>
</ul>

Created for designers by designers.

www.agencyfoundry.com
The most important
part of any project is
the start and the end.

Yes, alright you hear a lot about of cliché’s such as

“it’s not about the destination it’s about the journey”
but that’s not how it’s going to work for a smooth
project that keeps clients happy.

How we start a project and establish a relationship,

is generally how that project moves forward. It is
very hard to change a clients behaviour and attitude
once a project is in motion. The end of a project is
also where long term connection and satisfaction,
for the client, will come from.

So why do we need an established

process for a project you might ask?
Well, the answer is two fold. Not only will this benefit
you in knowing where the project is at, it helps you
re-assure the client that things are on their steps of
progression. So let’s jump in...
 1
2
Pre Project

3
On Boarding

4
Project Kick-off

Production and Creation

5 6
Project Launch

Ongoing Commitments
Pre-Project.
Once a connection has been established with a prospect

you need to fully understand the problem the client is

1
(either from the contacting you or you reaching out to them),

having and find the most effective way to help them. Some
clients will come to you with a detailed project enquiry,
which you can review. Others may need more help.

Make your next web design project a success

Page 3
 I’ve just sent
across the
high res logo
It’s in Word, is that ok?

Make your next web design project a success

Page 4
Design is a
journey of
discovery*
*clients are the points of interest along the way

Make your next web design project a success

Page 5
 2
On Boarding
As well as making the client feel valued and welcome
from the beginning, the on boarding stage is your chance
to gather all the information required to keep the project
running smoothly. You’ll want to gather page content,
imagery, branding guidelines etc.

It’s important you have a point of contact and know

exactly who will be approving and signing off the project.
It’s important to remember this part of the project is to get
to know your client and their business.

A client is going to want to know that you are the right

choice for them, right from the very start. So, it is always a
good idea to make the right impression at the earliest stage.

By having a perfect on-boarding process you are showing

them that you are taking them being your client seriously
and value their custom.

Make your next web design project a success

Page 6
 3
Project Kick-off
Most people will have their preferred method when
building websites, however we cant stress enough how
important it is to present the client with a written brief or
strategy. Clients may forget what they signed off on a few
weeks ago or maybe their needs changed in the meantime.
Some clients get in a kick-off meeting and start talking
about new features they want that were never discussed
before. Prepare for that possibility and have a process to
deal with it.

Make sure to set expectations and most importantly follow

through on them. If you or a member of your team say they
will call the client every Monday to report on the project
status, then they need to do it.

Managing expectations is an important part of project

management so when the project is completed they feel
like they got what they were promised.

Make your next web design project a success

Page 7
 By failing to
prepare, you
are preparing
to fail.

Make your next web design project a success

Page 8
 Yeah, I should
have it finished
by yesterday
for you!

Make your next web design project a success

Page 9
 4
Production and Creation
Communication during the production stage is the most
important way to make clients happy, and that’s on the
shoulders of the account manager.

One of the biggest problems account managers make is

not communicating with the client. Even if you don’t have
anything to tell the client, clients get nervous if they don’t
see anything being done, and then assume that nothing is.
Call or email them at the beginning of the week to let them
know what the team is working on and what they’re aiming
to accomplish.

Lastly, it’s important to keep on track at all times with the

task in hand and ensure nothing gets missed. If you’re not
already doing so we recommend using a system such as
Trello, Asana, Teamwork, Clickup or Podio to keep track
of all tasks for you and your team. Freelancers may find it
easier pen and paper, we still do this ourselves, however for
a team based project its an absolute no-brainer.

Make your next web design project a success

Page 10
 5
Project Launch
How smoothly the website launch goes is a great testament
of your team’s overall efficiency.

There are lots of things to take into consideration when

launching a website. The domain name, Google Analytics,
301 redirects, Search Engine Optimisation, and much more.

We highly recommend creating a detailed checklist which

covers all the tasks required to offer a complete service to
your clients website.

The last thing you’ll want to do after producing a top of the

range website, with superb content and stunning design, is
apologise to the client that you forgot to add their Google
analytics tracking code.

Remember, there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all’ when

it comes to launching a website. Take care to check all the
tasks and make absolute sure the final brief has been met.

Make your next web design project a success

Page 11
 Always
deliver more
than expected

Make your next web design project a success

Page 12
Give
me a
<br/>
Make your next web design project a success
Page 13
 6
Ongoing Commitments
After a project launch, you or the person who sold the
project should schedule a call with the client to see how
everything went.

There is no better way to improve your future projects than

to know the thoughts of existing clients, tasks you may
have thought went smoothly, may have being stressful for
the client. Don’t get defensive about this, learn to improve
so that next time clients are much happier.

Website maintenance is a crucial aspect to owning a

website, but many clients are extremely lax about it.
If you have some technical skills, you can offer website
maintenance to your clients. Keep in mind that
maintenance can be tricky, and you’ll need to do research
to determine if it’s for you.

Ask your clients what they need, and create recurring

service packages to help them. You’ll be so happy you did
once you get those income streams coming in!

Make your next web design project a success

Page 14
We’re Agency Foundry

Agency Foundry is a group for designers by designers.

Our aim is to support everyone no matter of what stage
they are at in their design journey with advice, guides and
insight to help you become more profitable and productive.
If you are a freelancer or trying to grow your design
business, you’re in the right space.

Our goal isn’t to be the

biggest Facebook Group for
designers, but we aim to be
one of the most valuable.

Along with building a fantastic community of like minded

designers, you’ll gain access to our podcast series which
tackles a number of topics, produced to help you learn,
develop and grow your design business.

You’ll also be first to hear about our guides and cheat-sheets

created to help you learn, develop and thrive in business.
Agency Foundry is headed by Darren Webber (Owner of
Whoop Creative), and Corey Dodd (Owner of Elk Creative).
Between them they have over 40 years experience in the
design industry!

It costs absolutely nothing

to join our Facebook Group.
We only ask for value in the
form of supporting others.

We look forward to welcoming you to the group soon.

Head over to the group via the link below and tell us a little
bit about yourself, we have a fantastic comunity who are
always there to offer advice and support for your business.

Join the Agency Foundry today!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfoundry/
www.agencyfoundry.com