WELCOME GUIDE
Oh hey!
I am so honored (and excited!!) you chose me for your business. Truly.
The creative process is a beautiful thing that I love to honor, and this guide will show you EXACTLY how I do so. We’ll dive right into what you can expect, what’s going to happen next, answer some FAQs, and more!
My goal is that we create something you are so dang proud of, while having SO much fun every step of the way.
HELLO FROM THE
Karima Creative team
Meet my team, Caity, Sarina, and Becca!
They are my right hands and work on Showit and Squarespace sites. They all work alongside me to bring all your projects to life. They’ll be in the loop about your project constantly and if you’re doing a website, communicating with you directly!
The Design Process
Investing in your brand and web design is a HUGE milestone for your biz, and I want to make sure you enjoy it every step of the way.
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01 | Strategize
This step is all about communication and collaboration!
In order to make sure I totally get your vibe, you’ll fill out a custom brand clarity questionnaire, and we’ll have a one-one brand/web design strategy sesh to talk through anything and everything about you, your biz, and your vision. Then we’ll throw ourselves down the pinterest rabbit hole and create a moodboard full of fonts, colors, images, and graphics you absolutely adore.
I’ll also send you a welcome packet with your homework outlined in a super organized checklist format that’ll tell you exactly what I’ll need from you (i.e., copy, photos, portfolios, etc.), along with anything else I’d recommend sending over. The homework totally depends on your project and will be customized to suit your needs.
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all for business, and by the end of this step, I’ll provide you with an in-depth brand strategy that’ll make your business shine!
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02 | Design/Develop
Now this is where the magic happens…
I’ll do the heavy lifting from here starting with executing brand design followed by website design. If it’s a website-only project, I’ll ask for your current brand guidelines (no prob if you don’t have them) and match your rebrand to that of the website. You’ll walk away with everything from custom fonts, color palettes, patterns, graphics, and logos, to SEO, custom domain setup, blog setup + integration and so much more!
My clients insist that I’m a mind reader because I always know what they want, but let me tell you what my secret is... COMMUNICATION! Prioritizing good, consistent communication is essential to maintain momentum during this process. You’ll always know where we are and what comes next during our time together. We’ll also have strategy calls mid-way through to make sure you’re utterly obsessed with your rebrand, as well as up to 4 revisions - I’ve never had to do more than 2!
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03 | Execution/Launch
Time to pop open a bottle of celebratory champagne and watch your shiny, new brand and/or website convert potential clients into paying customers!
I’ll send over your final files for print and digital use in a Google Drive folder as well as a beautifully designed brand guideline packet with all your custom logos, fonts, colors palettes, patterns, and images made easily accessible for you to use and share with your team members and media outlets.
If your project includes web design, you’ll also get a custom video where I show you how to navigate the back end of your site (i.e. changing photos + general upkeep) plus site speed + performance checks, and complementary graphics specifically designed for your launch.
And as a cherry on top, you’ll get four hours of tech support for up to one month after your launch - Yay!
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Here's what's going to happen from this step forward:
You’ll get homework sent to your email
You can book your strategy call in the email with the questionnaire. I recommend booking your strategy call as close to your project start date as possible
You’ll start dropping any and all assets in this Google drive folder. I’ll need your copy, photos, and everything in there by the project start date
I’ll review all the goods, and be in touch with your mood board (BRAND PROJECT ONLY)
After the mood board is approved, I’ll shoot over logo concepts with a video the following week explaining them (BRAND PROJECT ONLY)
After that, it’s full speed ahead on the site. Since I’ll already have everything I need in your drive folder, (thanks rockstar!) everything will move super quickly from there.
I’ll shoot over the homepage for review
Once the homepage is approved, I’ll get to work on the other pages
Then we’ll review and make final edits
I’ll shoot over mock-ups and give you ownership of the site
We’ll launch and pop the champagne to CELEBRATE all our hard work!
Guidelines & Policies
Payment Terms:
Please know that the client is responsible for paying any and all fees that come from font licenses or website hosting. Please research annual hosting fees for your platform as they average around $100-200 annually and paid fonts could be around $12-30. It’s illegal for me to share font licenses, so you will be required to get your own if we use paid fonts.
Rescheduling Policy:
All homework must be submitted and completed before the project start date. Without your completed homework, we can’t move forward with the build, and we’ll have to postpone your start date to the next available date. Life happens, and we understand that! That’s why we will always offer you grace if you need to reschedule your project one time. For every time afterward, there will be a $500 rescheduling fee that must be paid to secure your new date, which might be a 2-3 month wait.
Communication Guidelines:
My office hours are typically 9-5 pm EST. I am a big believer in uninterrupted creative time so that I can give my clients my best work. I keep my inbox paused throughout the day, and I require scheduled calls. I am happy to hop on a call at any time, as long as it is scheduled. You can expect a 48 hour response time for emails. If it’s urgent and needs a response before then, simply label it “URGENT.”
Timeline
*The timeline below is our best-case scenario, when items are provided last minute or late, this timeline will expand and stretch, which will delay your launch date.*
BRAND DESIGN TIMELINE
Web Design Timeline
The Deliverables
Brand Design
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Custom brand clarity questionnaire to dig deep into all your biz goals with the rebranding
One-on-one brand strategy consultation to talk about #allthethings for your vision of this project
Brand mood board complete with images, illustrations, colors, and elements to nail down the vibe of your brand. This will guide the direction for your color palette, pattern design, and more in your branding kit.
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Custom primary logo design you’re obsessed with to live on your website, contracts, invoices, and everywhere else you desire.
Secondary alternative logo design because of variety, that’s why.
Submark logo design, perfect for watermarks, social media graphics, stickers, etc.
Custom color palette that feels just like “you” and will be mixed in with your logo and website colors (based on color psychology)
Customized font selection for your header, sub-header, and body text on your website
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Complete brand style guidelines so you know exactly what hex codes to use for web, print and font files so you can really step it up online with a cohesive brand across all your channels and graphics.
Pattern design to infuse another layer of your brand’s personality to make it even more memorable, we can do any texture, glitter, etc.
Collateral design of your choice (choose from business cards, lead magnet, newsletter, insta highlights, insta templates, etc)
Up to 4 revisions included
Google drive folder with all deliverables
The Deliverables
WEB Design
If the confusing nuances of web design make you wanna throw your computer out the window, then this is the Web Design package for you. I’ll make your dream website a reality that converts your ideal clients into paying customers.
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Custom brand clarity questionnaire to dig deep into all your biz goals with the rebranding
One-on-one brand strategy consultation to talk about #allthethings for your vision of this project
Help figuring out the layout of your site - pages, copy needed and images
SEO chat about keywords & competition analysis. SEO helps your ideal clients find your site through detailed market research, keyword research, image tags & titles, page titles & descriptions, Google Business & Analytics setup/integration, and Facebook Pixels (if desired). Basically, this is going to help bring your ideal clients to you.
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Custom “Coming soon” or “Under construction” website page until it’s ready for launch so you can still get those inquiries
Custom domain or connection set up so you never have to worry about the tech stuff again
Designed with UX in mind which is the experience your users get while on your website to actually convert them to paying clients or customers.
Custom G-Suite email (hello@yourdomain.com)
Search engine optimization (SEO) & all photos are optimized for speed so your site loads quickly and retains users.
Email list set up or email provider integration
Contact forms that are specific + detailed to get the right info from your ideal client
Blog set up + integration to help with your SEO and showcase your knowledge in your industry
Full e-commerce integration, if you’re selling products on your site
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Completely responsive + mobile-friendly Squarespace, Showit, Kajabi or Shopify site that you’re actually proud to show off
Up to 7 beautifully-designed pages
Graphics designed specifically for your launch to show it off
Up to four revisions
A custom made video where I show you have to navigate the back end of your site and show you how to change photos + do general upkeep so your site never feels outdated.
Site speed + performance check so you can see how Hubspot and Google are ranking your site
4 hours of tech support for up to one month after launch
30 Minute Website Launch Strategy Session to talk about bringing this thing to life and getting as many eyeballs on your site as possible.
Brand & Web Design
This Brand and Web Design Bundle is the best of both worlds! We’ll give your brand a total makeover + create a beautiful and fully functional website that you and your ideal clients will absolutely adore.
Homework, Tips & Tools
Homework - Here's a podcast episode on prepping for your Design Project
✓ A Pinterest Board
I recommend searching things like Brand design inspo, Web design inspo, Interior design, Color palette inspo, Logo ideas, retro/boho/minimalist, etc. Brand inspiration, Graphic design & Pattern design Grab a glass of wine, sit on the couch for 40 minutes, and HAVE FUN! Don’t overthink it :)
✓ Schedule a copywriter session and photoshoot if necessary
Click here for photoshoot tips
Blackdiamondcopy.co - Here’s a copywriter I partner with
✓ Drop your photos, copy, and current branding (only if you’re not doing a branding project) in a Google Drive folder.
If you’re a photographer, create a gallery of your top favorite 25-100 images, make sure I can download them in web or high res, and share your pixieset, smugmug, etc., directly with me
✓ Create a “wishlist” or “braindump” for your project
This is the perfect place to put ideas/late night thoughts before we get started
✓ Send me the login/password to your current site
If you’re on Squarespace, go to settings > permissions, then add my email, hello@karimacreative.com, as an ADMIN. If you’re on Showit, use onetimesecret.com and send me the link you generate.
Helpful Tips FOR THE DESIGN PROCESS
Here's a podcast on how to give feedback to your designer
Don’t be discouraged if your design isn’t right in the first round, or the second round, or even the third round. Sometimes a designer hits the nail on the head right away, while other times it ends up being a longer process - and that’s ok!
Here are some things to keep in mind when giving feedback to your designer:
01. Process the design before giving feedback
02. Be specific
03. Be honest
04. Be intentional
Most importantly: Trust the Creative Process
I ask that you:
Are honest, upfront, and communicate your feelings
Respect my time and my creative process
Understand that revisions are part of the process
Give thorough feedback in a timely manner
Ask questions as they arise
Enjoy, have fun with, and trust the process!
The tools that we'll use
Honeybook
Scheduling/Payment/Client Portal
Google Drive
For all assets/hand-offs/to keep things in order
Loom
For design + website feedback!
Add - Ons
Add-on Collateral Items for $150:
Business Cards
Set of 5 Instagram templates sized for feed and story
Up to a 5 page Welcome Guide PDF
Poster/flyer design
Letterhead/invoice design
Instagram links page
Set of 5 Pinterest graphics
Add-on Collateral Items for $250:
Podcast cover-art
Additional website pages (long-form sales pages start at $350)
Freebie/workbook up to 15 pages
Don’t see what you need? I’ve probably still designed it. Ask me about what you’re thinking, and I’ll give you a custom quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! Copy is a beast to tackle alone, and I totally understand that. My copywriter is blackdiamondcopy.co - I fully recommend her. If a copywriter isn’t in your budget right now, I recommend following this copy workbook I created, and taking time to be super intentional about the outline and copy on your website.
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Yes! If we are doing a brand package, I am more than happy to help brainstorm a name with you as well as check domain availability.
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Yes yes yes! I am a big fan of taking a collaborative approach, and this is a safe space for any and all feedback! For extra tips on giving your designer feedback, checkout this podcast episode.
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Thanks for honoring boundaries and asking ;) Email is ideal, and please expect a response time of 48 hours! I am a big fan of work/life balance and uninterrupted creativity, so that I can really get into my zone and create my best work for my clients (ahem, you!!) I’m happy to hop on a call anytime as long as it’s scheduled through the scheduler. I just ask that you don’t DM me on instagram or text me, as there’s a high chance it may get lost, and that’s the last thing I want to happen!
What website platform is best for me and what's the difference?
Picking a platform can be so overwhelming! We will dive deep into this on your strategy call to make sure your preferred platform supports your overall business goals and your long-term goals.
I’m scheduling a brand shoot with a photographer, any tips?
HELL YEAH! This makes SUCH a big difference. Check out this podcast episode for tips on maximizing your content!
Shew, lots of info, huh?!
Details are important, and I wanted to make sure we covered them all. Thank you again for trusting me with your brand and project.
I know how deeply personal it is to hire this stuff out. I know it’s an investment. I know it’s a process. And I am here for you every step of the way.