Website build, technical support and SEO content optimisation.

Introduction

I was approached to build a website for a new start up. This business was in the unique space of co-parenting and it offered support and workshops on different techniques to co-parent successfully. The founder came from a career in communication, psychology, philosophy and mediation but did not have the creative or digital skills to launch her dream website. The client had clear objectives on what she hoped to achieve with the website and her online presence but needed support in building out her vision. 

Project overview

The objectives of this project were to build a site which was easy for the client to edit and manage herself once the build was complete and something that could facilitate bookings, blogs, services, subscriptions and events. There was no existing brand package for this company either so a brand personality was required too. 

Project challenges

With no brand in existence, I was challenged with identifying key brand pillars and core values for the client. We worked together closely to identify target audiences, brand tone of voice, colour pallets and more. The website we launched with was also required to be a basic version of what the site would become. The client would only be able to launch with a MVP available to the public but required the full build to be completed in the background. My client would be relying heavily on SEO for traffic so I ensured the site was fully optimised for SEO best practices.  

The Process I undertook:

1. Brand workshop with the client

   We had an in depth session on identifying what she wanted her brand to be. We developed the objectives for the brand, the values and tone of voice. 

   
   

2. Market research 

3. This was a fairly niche market to be working in especially when I considered the New Zealand market only. I expanded my research into companies working with either families or children. Through this process I identified key demographics, targeted audiences, the pain points these audiences had, the tone of voice that resonated with them, and how best to connect to them. 

   
   

4. Providing the client with a reverse brief

Due to the open nature of this project, it was important to provide a reverse brief to make sure all key points had been captured and that we had a mutual understanding over the objectives of the project. This was delivered in long form content with snippets of wireframes.

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1. Domain registration and email hosting. 

   Using keyword research I advised the client on which domain would be most suitable based on her desired brand name. I also sourced a suitable email hosting package which I later integrated with her site. 

   
   

2. Website development

   The client was originally wanting a Webflow site but due to their desire to edit and manage the site for themselves, I demoed a few different platforms and their decision to use Wix was made. Wix has a very user friendly interface especially when managing hidden or gated content. This supported the intentions of the client well as they intended to launch with an MVP but employed me to build out a more final product that they could grow into. The design process for this project was limited to editing the chosen template to match the reverse brief. I worked closely with the client as she instructed me on her likes and dislikes of the template, and I edited it to match her vision. I added elements such as a booking portal, subscriber functionality, blogs and an about us page. 

   
   

3. Providing training in how to edit and manage the client's site.

   The client made it clear from the beginning that their intention was to manage their website themselves. I provided training in how to do this. This was conducted as a virtual lesson first and I followed up with clear documentation afterwards. I continue to support my client in various technical ways including SEO optimised content creation. 

   
   

4. Social media guidance.

   I provided my client with the best practices of establishing a brand social media presence and shared some cool tools which I also showed her how to use. The entire purpose of this project was to allow her to be self sustaining and this guidance was in support of that ambition.

   
   

I had a very close working relationship with this client throughout the development of their website. She desired to have a casual working arrangement with free flowing communication of ideas. She specifically did not want the formality of an agency arrangement and I was able to easily adapt my working style to suit the needs of this project. We continue to work together on this project plus new ones and I am always on hand to support her if she needs.