Dcat Design Services

Let’s Work Together!

Specializing in professional graphic design and custom websites for professionals, creatives, musicians, authors, service providers and small businesses.

With over 12 years of experience, I’m your website ally, creative teammate and design partner, here to create a cohesive brand experience that is essential to establish trust, express the authentic nature of your brand and showcase the benefits your business provides.

Custom Websites

Professional, mobile-friendly, easy to manage, reflects your brand
and is tailored to your business needs

Website Design

Embrace your uniqueness! I specialize in creating custom website designs. No pre-made templates– every design is crafted to ensure your website stands out as a true reflection of your brand.

WordPress Development

From membership sites to intricate eCommerce setups, I’ve utilized WordPress for various projects, customizing each to meet your specific needs and build custom solutions. 

FSE Theme Development

Provide your design files, from PSD, XD, Ai, Figma, to Sketch— I’ll transform your designs into a fully functional WordPress website. From build to launch, I’ll ensure a seamless development process.

WordPress Training

After launch, I provide training sessions via Zoom to empower you  to manage your website. From navigating the backend to editing pages, I ensure you and your team feels confident and capable in managing your WordPress site.

Upgrades & Migrations

Is your WordPress theme outdated, no longer supported, or do you need to remove a page builder plugin? Are you moving from SquareSpace, Wix, or Joomla to WordPress? Improve your website with a custom WordPress theme.

WordPress Maintenance

Minimize downtime and maximize efficiency, from plugin and version updates to security scans and backups to content updates, I handle all essential maintenance tasks so your website runs smoothly while you run your business.

How much do I need to invest?

Each small business is unique, with its own specific needs to enhance its online presence and foster growth. The cost of a custom website will vary depending on the size, functionality needed and complexity of the project. Below, you’ll find some website packages for custom websites that can be tailored to accommodate diverse requirements. Get in touch and we’ll start with a free consultation.

Typically, a new or redesigned website entails a fixed project fee ranging from $3600 to $6000+. After our initial discussion about your website requirements, I’ll provide you with:

  • Detailed Project Proposal that outlines:
    > Discussed Project Details
    > Estimated Project Timeline
    > Project Cost & Payment Schedule
    > Terms & Conditions
  • Work Agreement to sign and date
  • Invoice for 50% deposit to book the project

Project Proposals are valid for 90 days.

Creating custom WordPress websites involves acquiring hosting services and a domain name, and these account fees are not covered in the project quote. With a multitude of hosting companies available, thorough research is encouraged to select one that aligns with your needs. While I’ve had the best experience with MochaHost, I’m flexible to collaborate with any provider of your choice, be it Hostgator, BlueHost, iPage, GoDaddy, AWS, or others.

Domain names are often bundled with hosting services, sometimes offered freely upon initial signup. Alternatively, you can purchase a domain separately and link it to your hosting service. Despite the popularity of GoDaddy, I find NameCheap to have a more user-friendly interface.

Once your account is established, I can assist in WordPress installation, DNS updates, and configuring email addresses if necessary.

For those opting for Squarespace or Wix, where hosting is included in the subscription fee, please note that this fee is not part of the project quote.

Website Packages

All Packages Include

  • WordPress Installation
  • Project Style Tile
  • Content Organization & Structure
  • Responsive Design
  • Image Optimization
  • Social Media Icon Links
  • Branded OG Image
  • Google Analytics Installed
  • Added Security and Cache Plugins
  • Basic SEO & XML Sitemap
  • SPF, DKIM, DMARC – DNS Update
  • Email Setup & Email Signature 
  • Recorded Admin Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions

Of course! But, it’s important to also have all the project details written down. It helps keep track and ensures that details are not overlooked or forgotten, especially if there’s a delay before we start or if the project scope needs to change I can make adjustments to the cost appropriately.

An estimated project timeline will be sent as part of the contract, average time to complete a design or website can range from 2 to 6 weeks although can be as long as 12 weeks or more if it is a large project.

As WordPress Full Site Editor evolves, my focus is on minimizing website bloat by utilizing only essential plugins. I prioritize leveraging the native WordPress Full Site Editor and incorporate additional CSS files, Custom Post Types, Advanced Custom Fields, PHP or Javascript into your theme for additional functionality as needed. This strategy grants me full control over design and functionality, facilitating easy adjustments or enhancements when required.

Since my websites are completely custom and I don’t rely on any theme frameworks, you won’t experience any automatic updates to your theme in the future. This means you don’t have to worry about theme updates causing issues or overriding customizations.

However, I recommend you coming back every few years for a for a tune-up and potential redesign especially if you are not on a quarterly or monthly maintenance plan. It’s likely that you’ll want a website refresh to keep up with significant changes in internet usage and website trends. I always set aside time in my schedule for existing clients seeking updates or redesigns. Simply reach out, and we can discuss timelines and costs.

Not necessarily. If you already have a design I can build your custom theme using your design as a guide. However, if you don’t have designs ready, we’ll start with the design phase. In this phase, I’ll create a static design mockup of the homepage and a style guide for your review. We’ll collaborate to ensure the creative direction aligns with your vision before moving on to the development phase.

Yes, I am open to working with your team.

Your website is built as a responsive and mobile-friendly. I will make sure your website looks great and functions smoothly on both desktop and mobile devices. This way, your site will be accessible and visually appealing to all visitors, regardless of the device they use.

Yes, I also offer 3 levels of maintenance plans where I can take care of content updates for you as well as maintain core code, handle any troubleshooting or complete technical management tasks.

Yes, initial payment of 50% of the total project cost as outlined in the proposal at the start date of the project. The remaining 50% is due either 30 days after the project start date or upon the launch of your website, whichever comes first.

For projects lasting over 4 weeks, I ask for a 50% deposit at the start of the project, followed by 25% at start of development phase, with the remaining balance due upon project completion.

My hourly support rate is $75, billed in 15-minute increments with a minimum of 30 minutes per item. Invoices are issued at the end of each month. For full projects, I offer fixed quotes based on the defined project scope.

Examples of additional services that are billed hourly at $75/hr rate could be:

  • Adding custom CSS to Squarespace, Wix or any other platform
  • Mailchimp Set-up and customizing Mailchimp HTML Templates
  • Setting up Acuity Scheduling or other scheduling system
  • Website content updates, custom requests or troubleshooting
  • Social Media Banners, Ads or Marketing Material
  • Photo Editing, Document Layouts, Misc Online Service Support

Once you’ve reviewed and provided final approval, I’ll send the final invoice for the project. After receiving the payment, your website will be launched within 48 hours. We’ll then schedule a walkthrough tutorial to guide you through using the admin interface and address any further questions. This session is done over Zoom and a recording of the tutorial will be sent to you soon after. Additionally, we can discuss and implement a monthly maintenance care plan during this time.

After your site goes live, you’ll have 3 business days for minor changes. Major changes will done at an hourly rate. I also recommend quarterly maintenance, covering backups and updates for core files and plugins.I will be available to handle these updates at an hourly rate or it will be included if you are signup up on the monthly maintenance care plan.

Each client retains ownership of their website. You’ll have access to all files associated with your site, allowing you to manage it however you see fit once my work is complete.

Yes! Upon the launch of your website, I arrange a free 30-minute recorded Zoom training session to guide you through managing and updating your website independently.

Possibly, although in most cases, no. It has been my experience that the best use of time is to build the website anew to make sure I’m not wasting any time sorting out someone else’s code that may or may not be straightforward.

Certainly! I’m also available to help you create a website on platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify. However, please note that customization options may be limited compared to WordPress, as these platforms are not open-source.

I’m certainly open to having a discussion to see if working together would be advantageous for both parties.

Dcat Kitten

Why WordPress?

WordPress is constantly improving thanks to its dedicated community, who continuously enhance its features. With a vigilant security team, WordPress stays ahead of potential threats by automatically updating core files.

Over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate WordPress for its easy-to-use interface, making website management hassle-free for everyone. Plus there are exciting developments on the horizon for WordPress, promising even better user experiences. Keeping your WordPress site up-to-date ensures you can enjoy these improvements and maintain security.

This is your website’s web address that is registered separately or in conjunction with your hosting. It is also referred as a website URL: www.mybusiness.com. Registration fees are generally renewed each year. If needed, I can provide recommendations for domain name registrars.

This is the public file server space that is rented for your website to be publicly accessible. Web hosting accounts generally need to be renewed annually although some companies offer discounts for multiple year purchases. If needed, I can provide hosting company recommendations.

I primarily recommend MochaHost for hosting, as they offer excellent customer support and their WordPress Starter package is typically the most suitable and affordable option. Additionally, for hosting video streaming content, I utilize AWS.

I work entirely remotely from my home office located in Northern California, operating in the Pacific Time zone. We can have meetings over Zoom and share documents over email or using Google Docs.

You can connect with me on LinkedIn, Github or visit my Clutch profile.

Yes, I do! Although, this would be a separate service and it would be best to start here before commencing a website project. Logo design is part of a branding package that includes defining and designing your key brand elements: logo, color scheme, typography, any design components and your brand guidelines.

Most clients provide the images to be used in their project. Although, if you need me to curate images for your project, I can source royalty-free images. Or if needed I can recommend freelance photographers that you can contact.

Yes, I create vector illustrations. This would be a separate service and can be added to your project quote if needed. Or if you need any other graphic design service once the initial project is complete, I can quote this additional work separately.

No, unfortunately I do not offer this service. Most clients submit their own content. If needed, I can provide recommendations to freelancers I’ve worked with.

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Ready To Start Your Next Project?