The Magic of the Discovery Workshop
I need a website…. but where do I start?!
When you’re in the thick of starting a business, it’s easy to feel swallowed up by the details. From spreadsheets and bookkeeping software to Instagram posts and LLC paperwork, it's a lot to handle.
The biggest pitfall I see with DIY website builds is believing your website needs to include every last minuscule piece of information about your business… It makes sense. As a new business owner, you’re swimming through a sea of details. Zooming back out of that mindset is no easy task.
But I promise you, potential clients are not coming to your website, giddy to read through the grizzly details of your 30-day cancellation policy. They want to get to know you and what makes your business uniquely awesome!
I want you to picture your website as a thrilling New York Times Bestseller that practically jumps off the shelf - not a giant, dusty encyclopedia that hasn’t been opened since 1997.
That’s why I always recommend starting a website build with a Discovery Workshop.
That’s how I built my own website, and how I start every Two Week Website and every UX Audit. It’s the foundational step of our process together - and it gets us both in the right mindset to start our work together.
On day one, I focus on getting to know you and your dream. I bring totally fresh eyes to your business - an essential ingredient in zooming and being able to have empathy and build your website for the people who matter most - the people you’re hoping will visit your website!
We'll dive deep into your story, even if you’re not sure how to tell it yet. I want to understand who your perfect audience is. I also want to get to know your needs, values, and your comfort level with new technology and tools.
During our 90 minutes together, we cover a lot, but I promise it’s fun! I use a virtual whiteboard to support the visual learners (like me!) and provide notes to help you throughout your business journey.
Most of my clients say the Discovery Workshop alone is worth working with me. It helps you clarify the heart of your business and rekindles your excitement about launching your small business!
As a design professional with specific, in-depth training in User Experience Research & Design (UX), I know that a good website is more than a pretty face. WAY more.
I've perfected my famous Discovery Workshop over time, and run it with therapists, dog groomers, large non-profit events, a digital marketing platform, a health tech app designed to support caretakers of elders, and more!
I know that the MOST important part of any design is listening. Really, really good listening. And luckily, that's one of the things I enjoy the most about what I do!
At the end of the workshop, I’ll have everything I need to create the vision for your website. Afterwards, you’ll receive your custom Design Plan with all the elements we’ll use to build an amazing website for your small business.
From there, it’s off to the races! By the end of the two weeks, your dream website will be live and ready to impress your clients.
Why a Discovery Workshop?
The Discovery Workshop is the foundation of your website’s success. It’s where we lay the groundwork for a site that not only looks great but also functions seamlessly. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a site that resonates with your audience and meets their needs.
In our Discovery Workshop, we take a holistic approach to understanding your business or organization. We look at your goals, your requirements, your audience, and your unique value proposition (what makes you uniquely YOU!) This deep dive allows us to create a website that truly reflects who you are and what you stand for.
What to Expect in the Discovery Workshop
During the 90-minute session, we’ll cover:
Your Story: We’ll delve into your business story, your mission, and your vision. Understanding why you do what you do is crucial to creating a website that feels authentic and resonates with your audience.
Your Audience: We’ll identify your ideal clients and discuss their needs, preferences, and pain points. Knowing your audience helps us design a website that speaks directly to them.
Your Goals: We’ll talk about your business goals and how your website can help you achieve them. Whether you want to attract new clients, sell products online, or build a community, we’ll create a strategy to meet your objectives.
Your Style: We’ll explore your design preferences, including colors, fonts, and imagery. Your website should reflect your brand’s personality and appeal to your target audience.
Your Needs: We’ll discuss any specific requirements you have, such as e-commerce functionality, booking systems, or integration with other tools. Understanding your needs ensures we create a website that works for you.
The Benefits of a Custom Design Plan
After the Discovery Workshop, you’ll receive a custom Design Plan. This plan outlines the structure, design elements, and content strategy for your website. It serves as a roadmap for the entire project, ensuring we stay on track and meet your goals.
The Design Plan includes:
Mood Board: aka Nothin’ But Vibes. This is a unique way to represent the overall feeling we want your site to have. Not the specifics of any particular font or image, but the mood board should give you the feeling you hope your site will have.
Brand Guide: A web-accessible color palette, font set, shape guidelines, etc that I’ll use to guide me in your website build (and you can use later when creating any other visual designs for your business!)
Design Mockups: Detailed design mockups of the main pages, including color schemes, fonts, and imagery. These mockups give you a preview of the final design and allow us to make any necessary adjustments before development begins.
Site Map: A visual representation of your website’s structure, including the main pages and subpages. This helps us organize your content and create a user-friendly navigation system.
Why Listening is Key
One of the most important aspects of the Discovery Workshop is listening. Really, really good listening. As a design professional, I’ve learned that understanding my clients’ needs, goals, and challenges is crucial to creating a successful website.
Listening allows me to:
Empathize with Your Situation: I can better understand your challenges and find solutions that work for you.
Capture Your Vision: By listening to your story, I can create a website that truly reflects your vision and values.
Build Trust: When you feel heard and understood, you’re more likely to trust the process and collaborate effectively. This, in turn, helps your audience trust you!
Real-Life Success Stories
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients. Each project has its unique challenges and rewards, and I’ve learned something valuable from every experience.
Therapists: I’ve worked with therapists to create websites that provide valuable resources for their clients, showcase their expertise, and offer a welcoming space for potential clients to learn more about their services.
Dog Groomers: For a dog grooming business, we created a fun and engaging website that highlights their services, features adorable photos of dogs in their natural environment, and makes it easy for pet owners to book appointments.
Artists: For an artist, we dove deep into his life story - what his work means to him, what his hopes & dreams for his art are, and crafted a gorgeous website that feels like walking through a virtual art gallery to showcase the very best of his work.
Non-Profit Events: I’ve helped nonprofits create website designs for large events to keep their audience engaged between events. These websites have been instrumental in the success of their events in a post-COVID world.
Health Tech Apps: For a health tech app supporting caretakers of elders, we designed a user-friendly app that displayed their loved one’s health data in a clear, user-friendly way.
Musicians, Artists & Creative Professionals: I’ve helped creative professionals craft websites that represent their unique artistry and help them achieve their goals and connect with the audience their website needs to connect with.
The Two Week Website Process
Once the Discovery Workshop is complete and you’ve received your custom Design Plan, we move into the development phase. Here’s what you can expect:
Day 3: Initial Development: I start by setting up your website’s structure and basic design elements. This includes creating the home page, main navigation, and essential pages.
Day 4-5: Content Integration: We add your content, including text, images, and videos. This is where your website starts to come to life.
Day 6-7: Client Review: You’ll have the opportunity to review the website and provide feedback. We’ll make any final tweaks based on your input.
Day 8-9: Refinement and Testing: We fine-tune the design, test all functionality, and make any necessary adjustments. This ensures your website looks great and works perfectly.
Day 10: Launch: Once you’re happy with the website, we’ll launch it live to the world. You’ll also receive a personalized training video on how to manage and update your site.
Empowering You for Success
My goal is not just to create a beautiful website for you but to empower you with the knowledge and tools to manage it effectively. I provide personalized, ADHD-friendly training that ensures you feel confident and excited to take charge of your digital story.
Training includes:
Website Management: Learn how to update content, add new pages, and make changes to your site.
SEO Best Practices: Understand the basics of search engine optimization and how to improve your website’s visibility.
Accessibility Basics: Web accessibility is a must for all websites - no matter how big or small. We craft your website carefully so that it adheres to basic accessibility standards, and you’ll also receive information on how to keep your website accessible once it’s handed it over to you.
Content Creation: Get tips on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Analytics and Tracking: Learn how to use analytics tools to track your website’s performance and make data-driven decisions.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re ready to transform your online presence and create a website that truly reflects your passion and vision, I’d love to work with you to showcase the amazing work you do in the world!
You can explore all my web design services to see what might be right for you. Together, let’s create a website that truly reflects your passion and vision. Check out the Two Week Website & Brand Package and how it can transform your dream into your reality!
And when you’re ready, go ahead and schedule a free intro call with me.
I can’t wait to hear your story!Let’s create something amazing together!
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