NICE TO MEET YA!
Are you ready to meet the wizard behind the curtain?
My name is Elizabeth Johnson, but please just call me Ellie. I've been designing websites on WordPress since 2016 and have added ShowIt and Shopify to my roster of website platforms over the years. I'm all about creating an optimized and converting website with an elegant dose of personality shining through.
I decided to take the plunge from freelancing to becoming a full fledged business owner in June of 2021 and haven't looked back since! I named my brand, Sophisticated Southern Grace, to evoke an elegant, refined, and graceful image while staying true to my Southern roots.
I design websites from the ground up and ensure that every inch of your website is not only optimized to look good across desktops, tablets, and mobile phones, but SEO-optimized as well. What is the point of having an incredible website if nobody can find it when they search for businesses like yours?
I'm based out of Tallahassee, Florida but I work with brands and businesses all over the globe.
the Sophisticated way
When you hire Sophisticated Southern Grace, you are hiring a web design expert that will be able to turn your website vision into reality.
I understand that as business owners, it is easy to feel like your to-do list never ends. Instead of adding create a website to your to-do list, add it to mine instead. I love creating unique, elegant websites that are perfectly aligned to complement your branding and unique mission.
all about
discovery call
The first step in every successful partnership is a discovery call. We can do a call or we can meet on Zoom "face-to-face", your preference, and talk about your business, what you have in mind as far as website inspiration, any important features you want your website to have, creative vision for your website, you might get a surprise guest appearance by my goldendoodle, Goldie Anne, and then after the call, I'll send over an email outlining what we discussed and get to work on creating a truly custom quote just for your project.
contract and payment
We've had a FANTASTIC discovery call, you've agreed that my custom quote is awesome and you're ready to work together! Now it's time for the boring paperwork and finance part of our new partnership; the signing of the contract and payment of the invoice.
The contract is to protect both you (the client) and me (the web designer) just in case anything goes wrong (acts of force majeure for the legalese) and to ensure that we're all on the same page as far as what is included in your website design project and expectations of the contract, what I will provide and when I provide it.
Typically for payment, I require 50% of the total project cost due at the time of the contract signing and the remaining 50% due before handoff of the completed project; however, I understand that life happens and payment plans are often necessary.
I can definitely create a custom payment plan for you if the need arises but I do require an upfront payment of 50% of the project cost before the start of any project.
DESIGN TIME
We've had a FANTASTIC discovery call, you've agreed to the price, contracts are signed, and payments have been made. Now we can get to the good stuff aka the design!
I've got your branding files and your copy, and by now, you've either given me some strict guidance to follow or creative license. Ultimately, you'll be happy with the end result.
I'll start by designing the home page, header, and footer and send it over. If you love it, I'll keep on going. If you decide there's something you just don't like, that's fine, I provide 1 complimentary round of revisions per page. We'll end up with a website you LOVE by the end, don't worry!
Once I am finished designing the entire site, I'll send you a live preview link and we can go over it on zoom and make any final tweaks. Then I'll get my final payment from you and hand it on over!
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Web Design Questions
What platforms do you work with?
How much will it cost?
What platform should I use?
How do I rank on the first page?
Will my website look good on X device?
How long will it take?
I work with WordPress, ShowIt, and Shopify.
If you have your heart set on another platform, I understand completely and have other web designers that I can refer you to that provide AMAZING work within those platforms.
Next Question
What platforms do you work with?
How much will it cost?
What platform should I use?
How do I rank on the first page?
Will my website look good on X device?
How long will it take?
Each project is given a custom quote based on the scope of the project, platform used, etc., but generally my prices range between starting at $3,500 USD to $8,750 USD for a custom website design.
I do offer other services at lower price points if a custom website design is outside of your current budget.
My templates start at $350 and I also offer website redesigns, full VIP design days, and half VIP design days.
Next Question
What platforms do you work with?
How much will it cost?
What platform should I use?
How do I rank on the first page?
Will my website look good on X device?
How long will it take?
Choosing the right platform depends on the type of business you have, your intended goals for your website, any future needs you might have, as well as your budget.
Book a complimentary discovery call and I'll be happy to help you decide which platform is best suited for your needs.
Next Question
What platforms do you work with?
How much will it cost?
What platform should I use?
How do I rank on the first page?
Will my website look good on X device?
How long will it take?
How well your website ranks within Google (and other search engines) is entirely dependent upon your SEO strategy. Each website that I create is set up for optimum SEO success but I don't provide the content or the strategy; only the tools to use alongside those.
I have a great SEO specialist and copywriter I can refer you to.
Next Question
What platforms do you work with?
How much will it cost?
What platform should I use?
How do I rank on the first page?
Will my website look good on X device?
How long will it take?
I can't guarantee beyond a shadow of a doubt that your website will look great on specific devices (iphone vs android etc), but I can guarantee that your website will be optimized to look good on mobile, tablet, and desktop (this is based on screen sizes, not specific devices).
So there will be some slight variations between how your website looks on your latest model iPhone compared to how it looks on your cousin's Samsung Note due to different device specifications.
Next Question
What platforms do you work with?
How much will it cost?
What platform should I use?
How do I rank on the first page?
Will my website look good on X device?
How long will it take?
In general, my custom website design turnaround time varies between 2 weeks to 8 weeks depending on the complexity of the project, the platform being used, as well as specific project deliverables.
I am the sole owner and web designer of Sophisticated Southern Grace and I do have a family and other commitments, but I work alone for a reason- to ensure that each website built is made according to a certain level of quality and standards.