How I Work

I have a client-centered focus to my work. I don't presume to know more about your company or subject than you do, so I work closely with you, particularly at the start of a project, to understand your needs.

  1. Free Consultation: I believe that a client should not pay for an initial meeting. The meeting serves as a two-way interview to make sure that we are a good fit for each other's needs and also a way for me to get an initial understanding of your project.
    I am located in Menlo Park, California and can meet local clients in person; I am available on Skype or phone for out-of-town clients. Email me for a free consultation: leslie@lesliepetersdesigns.com
  2. Questionnaire: Based on our initial meeting and the services that you need, I'll have you fill out a detailed, industry-specific questionnaire so that I can understand what you like and don't like in a website, preferred color schemes, your goals in having a site, what differentiates you from your competition, etc.
  3. Design Options: Based on your responses to the questionnaire, I'll provide you with several possible page designs from which to choose.
  4. Content: Once you choose a template you like, you'll provide a list of the pages your site will have and the content (text and photos) to be included on each page.
  5. Website Draft: I'll build your pages and deliver a complete website that you can upload to your hosting provider. (Or I can do it for an additional fee; see pricing.)
  6. Final Revisions: Since needed changes often become apparent after a site is "live," your design fee includes up to 3 modifications to the content after delivery of your completed site. I am available to provide ongoing services for an additional fee (see services).
  7. Documentation: I have worked with several clients whose previous designers left them with a "black box," a website with no documentation on the site or about the hosting, leaving the clients in a bind when updates are needed and the designer has moved on. At the conclusion of each of my projects, I provide written documentation, spelling out clearly how the site is organized, a list of photos and scripts used on each page, etc. In addition, I document the underlying code so that every page is "legible." Although I would like all of my clients to stay with me, I understand that changes occur. If you work with another designer in the future or want to make updates yourself, you can use this documentation as a road map; I firmly believe that the wheel should not be re-invented.