SOUTH JERSEY CREATIVE
Client Onboarding Guide: From Contract to Launch (and Beyond)
STEP 1
Gathering Details & Content Direction
- Existing Branding: Send over any official assets you have—logos, brand colors, fonts, images, or style guides. If you don't have formal branding, no problem at all! Pictures of existing promotional materials, business cards, apparel, or storefront signage work great.
- Website Copy & Ideas: If you have exact ideas for page layout, text, or specific images you want featured, I am happy to build out your exact vision.
- Website Functions: Let me know what functional elements your business needs—such as a simple contact inquiry form, off-the-shelf online ordering, appointment booking embeds, or social media feeds.
STEP 2
Domain Name & Hosting Setup
Who has time to manage tech accounts, remember passwords, and keep annual payment methods up-to-date? Only one of us should have to!
When you get a new site built by South Jersey Creative, I take care of the domain registration, hosting, and making sure your URL (web address) and DNS settings all point to the right places. Routine maintenance and all the monthly & annual renewals and fees associated with keeping a website running are also included under your care plan.
Choosing a Domain Name
If you need a domain, let me know what name(s) you want. I will search available options and recommend the best choices. While .com is the most popular TLD (top-level domain), you can consider .org, .net, or hundreds of industry-specific ones like .pizza, .surf, .horse, and more!
Already have a Domain Name?
If you already own a domain name, I can point it directly to your new site. This can be done upfront or upon final functioning website approval.
Understanding Domain Pricing
The Upfront Build and Care Plan pricing cover standard domain registrations, which normally cost between $10–$20 per year.
Occasionally, certain popular keywords or "premium" domains are priced exorbitantly high by domain registrars or resellers. For example, "capemaypizza.com" is being sold for almost $1000, despite not being registered to any real business yet!
I generally advise small businesses against paying premium domain fees. However, if you are dead-set on purchasing a premium domain, please note that any premium domain pricing is not included in the standard build or care plan fees.
Registration & Account Ownership
I am happy to handle the entire registration setup for you, or walk you through registering it under your own account and setting up the DNS (so the website appears when visitors type in your web address). If you choose to register the domain under your personal account, you will be responsible for its regular (typically annual) renewal fees. The same applies to hosting if you choose to maintain your own separate hosting account.
DIY domain & hosting Notice
Bulk pricing and keeping all the back-end services streamlined are a big part of how South Jersey Creative is able to keep costs so low! If you prefer to handle any domain, hosting, or other services yourself, I can work with just about any platform and provider you choose, but please note that you will be responsible for all costs and renewal responsibilities - the Website Care Package does NOT include domain and hosting services you purchase separately on your own.
STEP 3
Content Review & Approval
- The Page-by-Page Summary: I will provide a clear, easy-to-review summary outlining all text, visual direction, layout structure, and brand styling for your site.
- Your Review & Feedback: You look it over, request any tweaks or text changes, and give your final sign-off.
- Zero Surprises: By confirming the content and style direction before development begins, we eliminate guesswork, extra revisions, and development delays. You will have a good idea of what your site will look like before it's built.
STEP 4
Building Your Site in WordPress
Once branding and content direction are approved, construction begins!
- Regular Check-Ins: You will receive progress updates to review the design as it takes shape.
- Fast Turnaround: Once content and direction are confirmed, many sites are completed and ready for launch within one week.
The WordPress Advantage
I build sites using WordPress because it is the world's most versatile, time-tested content management system. It ensures your site is fast, mobile-friendly, search-engine ready, and easy to maintain or expand as your business grows.
STEP 5
Going Live & Hand-off
Training & Operations Walkthrough
I will walk you through how to use any normal operational tools, third-party integrations, or custom features. If you want to be hands-on with updating blog posts or simple text, I'll show you exactly how to do it.
Except for sites that sell products directly through the website, many clients barely want or need to log in to WordPress. Still, you will always have full control over the front and back end of the website via the WordPress Dashboard. You can update content or make structural edits or use access plugins for any interactive business purposes your site was set up for, like e-commerce tools, newsletters, appointments, etc.
Access for Multiple Users
WordPress allows multiple user accounts with different roles and permission levels, meaning you can easily grant access for yourself, your team, or your clients without risking accidental site breakage. For example, you can set up a user account for one staff member so they can update an online store's inventory and monitor sales, while keeping them completely walled off from changing page layouts. Meanwhile, another user can be allowed to edit homepage content without being able to see any retail or customer info.
Ongoing Support
Your Website Care Plan
Your Website Care Plan subscription begins 30 days after your site goes live and auto-renews monthly until you request to cancel. Your care plan keeps your site running smoothly behind the scenes, including:
- High-speed managed hosting
- SSL security monitoring
- Automated weekly off-site backups
- Priority technical troubleshooting support
- Complimentary minor edits (2 hours / month)