Frequently Asked Questions

Better in pink? What does that even mean?

Simply put, I’m a big fan of pink. I think EVERYTHING would look better in pink, personally. Cars. Computers. Alarm clocks. You name it. Sometimes, even websites…depending of course on if you see things my way too! But fear not. I have a healthy love of all colors, and I won’t try to girliefy your website if you don’t want me to. But I’ll probably try!

Kidding. (Maybe)

What can I expect when I fill out the free quote request form?

You can expect to get a free quote. Of course! My thing is this: I want to provide answers to any questions you have about the web design process with No Strings Attached. I’ve had clients who are shopping around for quotes apologize for “taking my time”. Don’t feel that way! Please! Get your answers, shop around. And then come back. Cuz Better in Pink! rocks. But if you’re crazy and you don’t, I’ll still feel better about sending you out there with a little more information at hand!

The process itself, though is pretty simple, you fill out the form and within a few days (sometimes even that same day) you’ll hear back from me after I review your existing website (if you have one) with either some additional questions, or recommendations I might have for you and / or a quote.
Easy Peasy, Mac and Cheesy. So, do eet!

Everyone says I should have a website for my business, why should I have one?

Having a website, updating and maintaining it can seem like a very daunting and intimidating prospect for many people just starting out on their own. It really shouldn’t be, though! The most important thing about a website is that it makes your business accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world at any time. Period. You’re sleeping? That’s fine, but someone in Costa Rica might have a hankering for a gorgeous pair of handmade earrings. Earrings that YOU make and can showcase to them, in the comfort of their own home (or internet cafe, or library, or…you get the jist)! All while catching some zzz’s. Isn’t that exciting?

Although I’ve been an internet junkie for some time now, I’ll admit that back in the days when the only online store you’d heard of was Amazon, I used to think to myself: “Shopping ONLINE?!!, yeah right. like I’ll give my credit card info to anyone online!” Shopping online, to me was something that would never catch on. Especially after being so used to the instant gratification of wanting something and going to the store, buying it and having it right then and there. Wait for shipping? Umm no thanks!

BUT! Fortunately (or unfortunately for my finances) that’s not the case anymore. Heck, most days it’s TOO EASY for me to point, click and own a new bedding set (or laptop computer, or carpet shampooer, or or or)! Am I right, or am I right? Just as you’ve been caught before making purchases online in a moment of weakness, YOU could be the one providing the guilty pleasure of online shopping to countless others worldwide.

What do I need to give you to get started?

Depends. If you are just getting started, and you are just coming to Better in Pink! with a great idea for an internet based business, you’ll probably have very little (if any) content to get started. And that’s ok! I’ll be right there with you every step of the way to help you organize, outline and execute your thoughts into a concept for your website.

Or, you may already have a website. A website that has been nothing but a big ol pain in the neck to maintain, update, or what have you. And you know EXACTLY what you don’t want in a web site this time. (Bless your soul.) Sometimes that big list of DONT’S is all we’ll need to get started.

Basically, your situation will determine what I’ll need to get started. Better in Pink! can help you research, purchase, and register your awesome domain name if you don’t have one. And we can host your site too, if you need it!

Better in pink! is happy to provide logo creation, branding services to help you create a lasting presence. Photo touch up is available for all your product images. You know the ones that you took with your Vivicam that time using a white bed sheets as your background? Using photoshop those babies can be edited out to make you look like you hired a professional to photograph your products. And if you want to send me your items to be photographed, I can do that too! There’s pretty much no limit to my commitment to helping your business put it’s best foot forward.

Ok. I’m sold. I want Better in Pink! to develop my website. What happens next?

After we have discussed cost, project details and established exactly what you need I’ll create your work contract. The work contract (view a sample contract here) ensures that you’ve read all the terms of service (yada yada) and outlines the services that I’ll be providing, gives you an estimate of project completion (typically one month from start to finish) and lists the details of your payment arrangements.

Speaking of payment arrangements, a 50% retainer fee is required prior to the start of your project. However, I understand that it’s not always possible (especially for small businesses just starting out). So, please do not hesitate to ask me about arranging a custom payment plan. I don’t ever charge financing fees, and I’m even open to bartering for partial or full payment (subject to what you’re bartering, and whether I must have some, of course!) but definitely, ASK! Worst case scenario? I politely decline.

Once the icky stuff is out of the way, the fun begins! This is when we start brainstorming ideas for your website. Here we discuss color schemes, font choices, image choices, and all that good stuff. After that is established, some mockups are coming your way! Mockups are basically your project in image form. Here you will see the concept I’ve come up with and you can let me know what works for your and what doesn’t.

Communication is very important at this time. In fact, I’ll probably suggest that we communicate via IM chat (Yahoo, Aim, Google Talk) for the duration of your project. I prefer contact via email or IM chat, but if you’re not giving me a creepy vibe we can schedule a phone conference ;)

The process is typically this: Mockups, Development, TESTING!, Go Live!

After we confirm what your website will look like, I will send over the link to your test site. The test site, is password protected so that it’s only accessible to you (your mom, and your best friend who’s begging to take a peek) and me. You are basically watching your site come to life. Tis’ lots of fun.

During the testing process, I will likely be a tad quiet and you might not hear from me for a few days, because, well, sometimes I’m cranky when I’m ironing out all the pesky snags that are always encountered during the testing phase. Fear not. I have not abandoned your project and moved to Cabos.

How long will it take for my project to be completed?

That depends on a few factors:
1. How long we spend on the design process.
Hiring someone to build your website is a big investment, and I know it. So it’s only natural to want to be as involved with the design process as possible. But if we are going through mockup after mockup, and you find that the pixels aren’t aligned properly with the moon, the stars and the rings on Saturn, or the shade of butternut squash I’ve used on the mockup looks a shade lighter on your desktop computer than it does on your laptop and you’d like to know if I can arrange it so that your site will look the same exact shade to every person that lays eyes on it?

Maybe it’s time to hire another designer.

I’m a hardworking mom, & wife among many other things and I will likely exhaust myself trying to come up with a concept that you will LOVE. But, sometimes, that’s mission impossible. A wise designer can recognize when her style and a clients style just doesn’t work together. If things just aren’t going in the right direction I promise I won’t get offended if you let me know it’s not working out!

So please, oh please, before you send me a dime please take a look at my portfolio. If my style is similar to your style chances are you’re in the right place!

2. How long you take to correspond with me.
Listen, I can’t build a website you will love if I don’t have YOUR INPUT! Although I’ll try my little heart out to come up with something you’ll be pleased as punch with, with as little coddling as possible, I just can’t do it all myself. You’ll need to give me feedback, answer questions and provide direction during the whole process. And what happens when you don’t communicate with me in a timely manner, your site deadline is approaching, and nothing is done? You still have to pay me. And that sucketh. So, communication is key.

3. Life’s little surprises.
Even with the above said and noted, sometimes LIFE HAPPENS.
I know, because life happens to me all the time. (Go figure!) And my heart isn’t made of ice! So I can understand if something comes up and we need to postpone, re-schedule, or even drop the whole project all together. So long as you give me a heads up, chances are we can work it out so we all end up happy. Needless to say, I’d like the same courtesy extended to me if say, I somehow end up stranded in Aruba with a martini in my hand.

I kid.

How much will it cost?

Again, depends on what your project entails.
Do you just need a blog set up? Are you in need of a logo? Will you need a shopping cart? For a better idea, just request a free quote!

Imitation is a form of flattery, right? AKA: can you copy this site/logo for me?

NO. Imitation may be a form of flattery if, say, you’re emulating your favorite celebrity’s killer hairstyle. But on the web, it’s a whole different ballgame. You and I can get in lotsa trouble for that, so just don’t ask. Plus, I’d like to think that you’re coming here because you like my style, not someone else’s. Right? Right. Settled then.

I sent you an email/submitted a free quote request and I haven’t heard back from you. Are you ignoring me?

I can’t stress this enough, please check your spam and junkmail folders if you haven’t received a reply from me on a quote request or an email you sent in!! To ensure that you will receive emails from us, be sure to add madeline[at]betterinpink.com and maritza[at]betterinpink.com to your contacts list.