How a Template Remix Actually Works
When it comes to web design, it can be confusing to figure out what the best type of service works for you and your business. Take my own business, for example. I offer both Template Remix sprint services and custom Website Wizardry services as well. If you’re unsure which service is right for you, head over to this blog where I share the ins and outs of each service and why a certain service might serve you better over the other. From there, if you determine a Template Remix is a good option for you, head back to this post so you can learn about the process which makes this offering unique.
Overview of the Template Remix Process
I am going to share the outline of the Template Remix process to start. From there, I will go into detail about each phase of the process, and what will actually happen if we end up working together on a project of this type together.
The process for a Template Remix is as follows:
Onboarding
Website Strategy Call
Development & Customization
Site Testing
Launch
As you can see, the template remix process is short and sweet. It’s straight to the point and can be completed in about a week's time. In order to maximize the effectiveness of this offering though, I’ll now go into detail about each phase of the process. This will give you an idea of what you will need to do to prepare for this project to ensure we complete it quickly and with ease.
The Onboarding Phase
When you decide you want to work on a Template Remix project with me, the first thing you’ll do is pay a deposit and sign a project contract. Once I receive both of those documents back from you, I will then onboard you to your project dashboard.
For all of my projects, both sprint and custom, I use Notion as my project management system. It helps me keep everything about my projects on track, from managing your expectations to my own to do list. It is in Notion that you’ll be introduced to your client to do list that is due prior to our Template Remix start date.
In my onboarding procedures, there are a few pieces of homework for you to complete. They’re nothing too crazy, but these homework assignments are integral to my process. The assignments you’ll need to complete are as follows:
A Website Questionnaire - this questionnaire will make it clear to me the goals you have for your website and the functionality you’ll need present in your template
Gather your Branding - If we have not worked together on branding, I will need to receive your brand board, brand guidelines, and branding files from you.
Gather your Website Content & Photography - I will need this to customize your template and fill it with content about your business.
Schedule your 90 Minute Website Strategy Session - this session occurs prior to the project start date and will allow me to gather any additional details I need from you for the project.
Website Strategy Call
To dive deeper, the website strategy call is an opportunity for us to get on a call and set expectations and goals for the week ahead of us. We will choose a template for your project at this point from my template library, talk about customizations we need to make to specific pages, determine if there is any additional functionality we need to add to the site, and more. I will give you an idea of how I am going to customize the website template we choose together and tailor it to your brand. We will also deep dive into timelines and expectations moving forward, so you know exactly what to expect when the project officially starts. At this time I will also discuss your website content with you and go over anything else that I may need from you on that end of things before the project starts.
Development & Customization
On the project start date, I will take all the notes and details we went over on our strategy call and start to implement them into your template. In a Template Remix project I don’t create a mockup of the website I am creating in advance. Since the structure of the site is already pre-determined, I simply start development live on the project website.
I will take first day to really flesh out the home page and get a style down for our project. From there, I will send it to you for review, giving you a chance to share any concerns or potential changes that will need to be made to the base design. It is at this point of the project that we will nail down the customization approach for the whole project. For this reason, I offer 3 rounds of refinement to the home page design to ensure that it turns out exactly how you want it to. The refinements will take place between the first and second day of the project.
After we finalize the home page, I then move on to the rest of the website. This will usually occur between the second and third days of our project. I will use the design framework I laid out on the home page to drive me forward with the rest of the site design. Content will be changed. The design will be updated. I offer 1 round of refinement for each interior page, giving you a chance to make any final style tweaks to these pages.
Site Testing
After the page customizations are complete, we will then move into site testing. This usually occurs around the fourth day of the project. Site testing basically means that I will do my best to ensure that no errors are on the site when we take it live. I will check that all the buttons are linked correctly, all the photos are compressed and optimized for launch, that URL structures are properly updated, that forms and schedulers are linked correctly to your email. All the functionality of the site will be tested to make sure it is working properly, such as a pop-up from an external newsletter sign up form. Furthermore, I will do a final UX test to make sure the user journeys on the site make sense. With all of these details tested, I will deem the site ready for launch and you will schedule your launch meeting!
Launch
On the final day of our project, we will meet together to launch the site. In the launch meeting, I will walk you through the Squarespace site plans and get you set up with a paid Squarespace account. From there, I will finish up the launch by connecting your custom domain to the site, and then setting the site live.
That’s it! In five days time you can go from having no home base online, to having a functioning and beautiful website.
Conclusion
Does this sound too good to be true? I promise, it’s not! I’m happy to help people at all different points in their business journeys. If a Template Remix sounds like the perfect option for you and your business, reach out so we can get you booked in.
READY TO TAKE YOUR WEBSITE TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
I would love to support you on your website journey. You can reach out to me directly to talk about bringing your vision to life for the new year!
Take care and talk soon,
Alex
