Where exactly are you based? Do you only work with businesses in Aberdeenshire/Scotland, or can I work with you anywhere? Can we work completely remotely? Can I meet you in person?

I’m based in the Montrose area in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, but I work with branding and website design clients much further afield too. We can work completely remotely, with calls, feedback and project updates all handled online, or if you’re local to Aberdeenshire I’m always happy to meet in person where it makes sense. So whether you’re just down the road or somewhere else in the UK, location definitely doesn’t need to be a barrier.

Do you work with new businesses or mainly established businesses? Do you work with sole traders? Larger companies? Are there certain industries you specialise in? Would my business be “too small” for you?

I work with businesses at all different stages, from sole traders and newer businesses to established companies looking for a rebrand, website refresh or a more professional visual identity. I don’t specialise in one particular industry, and your business definitely doesn’t need to be “big” to work with me. What matters more is that you’re ready to invest in your branding or website and want something that properly reflects where your business is now and where you want it to go next.

I know something isn’t right with my brand/website, but I don’t know what I actually need. Will you help me figure that out, or do I need to know which package I want before contacting you?

You absolutely don’t need to have it all figured out before you get in touch. If you know your branding or website isn’t quite working but you’re not sure whether you need a full rebrand, a website refresh, a new website or just some design support, I’ll help you work that out. We’ll look at where your business is now, what’s not working and where you want to get to, then I’ll recommend the best-fit option for you.

Roughly how much does working with you cost? Are we talking £500, £2k or £10k? Is there a minimum project spend? Do you offer payment plans? What deposit is required? When do I pay the balance?

Project costs vary depending on what you need, the size and complexity of the work, how much strategy is involved and your timescale. Smaller design projects can sit in the hundreds, while full branding, website design and larger rebrand projects are usually into the thousands. I don’t work to one fixed minimum spend, because every project is different.

For most projects, I take a 50% deposit to secure your place in my diary, with the remaining 50% due on completion. Payment plans are also available where needed, and everything will be clearly outlined in your proposal before we get started.

What happens when I contact you? Do we have a discovery call? Is it free? How long is it? Will I receive a proposal afterwards? How soon will you reply to me?

Once you get in touch, I’ll usually reply within 1 to 2 working days and the next step is normally a free 20 to 30 minute discovery call. It’s a relaxed chat about your business, what you need help with and what you’re hoping to achieve. After the call, if we’re a good fit, I’ll put together a tailored proposal outlining the recommended branding, website design or creative support, what’s included, the cost and the next steps.

When could you actually start my project? Are you currently booking immediately or several months ahead?

Availability changes throughout the year, so start dates depend on my current workload, the size of your project and your deadline. Sometimes I can get started fairly quickly, while larger branding and website projects may need to be booked a little further ahead. If you have a specific launch date in mind, let me know when you enquire and I’ll always be upfront about what’s realistic.

How long does a branding project take? How long does a website take? What about branding + website together?

Most branding or website design projects take around 3 to 4 weeks from start to finish, while a combined branding and website project is usually around 6 to 8 weeks. Larger websites, e-commerce sites or more in-depth branding projects can take longer depending on the scope, strategy, content and number of deliverables involved. Timings also depend on how quickly I receive things like copy, images, feedback and approvals, so I’ll always give you a clear and realistic timeline before we get started.

What exactly do I receive? Just a logo, or multiple logo versions? Colours? Fonts? Brand guidelines? Social graphics? File formats? Do you help with brand strategy/message/audience before designing anything?

A branding project is much more than just a logo. Depending on the scope, you’ll usually receive a full logo suite with different versions for different uses, a colour palette, typography, supporting brand elements and clear brand guidelines showing you how everything works together.

Before I start designing, we’ll also look at the foundations of your brand, including your audience, positioning, personality and the direction you want the business to move in. Social graphics and other branded materials can also be included where needed, and your final logo files will be supplied in the formats you need for both print and digital use.

What if I already have a logo that I quite like but the rest of my branding is a mess? Can you refresh what I have rather than rebrand everything?

Absolutely. If you already have a logo you love, you don’t necessarily need to throw everything out and start again. I can build on what you already have by refining your colour palette, typography, supporting graphics and overall visual style to create a more consistent, professional brand.

We’ll look at what’s working, what isn’t and whether your existing logo still fits where the business is going before deciding how much of a brand refresh you actually need.

What platforms do you build websites on? I’m already on WordPress/Wix/Webador/Shopify/Squarespace, can you work with that? Do I have to move platforms?

I mainly design and build websites on Squarespace because it gives small businesses a flexible, professional website that’s easy to manage after launch.

If you’re already on WordPress, Wix, Webador, Shopify or another platform, you don’t automatically need to move. I’ll look at what you have, what’s working and what your business actually needs, then I’ll recommend whether it makes sense to stay where you are, refresh the existing site or move to a different platform.

Will I own my website when it’s finished? Whose account does it sit in? Am I tied to you afterwards?

Yes. Your website is yours, and wherever possible it will sit in an account owned by you, with me added as a contributor while I’m working on it.

Once the website is finished and fully paid for, you’ll have full control of it and you’re not tied to me afterwards. I can still help with updates, maintenance or ongoing website support if you want it, but you’re never locked in.

Do you sort my domain out? Hosting? DNS? SSL? Emails? What ongoing costs will I have after the website launches?

I can help you get the technical bits sorted too, including connecting your domain, website hosting, DNS settings and SSL where needed. If you already have a domain or business email set up, I’ll work with what you have and make sure everything connects properly.

After launch, your main ongoing costs are usually your website platform or hosting subscription, domain renewal and any paid email or third-party tools you choose to use. I’ll make sure you know exactly what you’ll be responsible for before the website goes live, so there are no surprise costs later.

Do I need to write all my own copy? Do I provide the photos? Can you help with copywriting, stock imagery or finding a photographer?

You don’t need to arrive with everything perfectly written and ready to go. I’ll guide you on what content I need and can help shape, edit and structure your website copy so it’s clear, engaging and works well for SEO.

For imagery, you can provide your own photos, I can source suitable stock imagery where needed, or I can recommend photographers if your website would benefit from professional brand photography. We’ll work out the best approach for your business before the website build begins.

Is SEO included? What does “basic SEO” actually mean? Will my site automatically appear on Google? Do you set up Search Console, metadata, sitemap etc?

Yes, basic SEO is included with my website builds. That means I’ll make sure your site has the right foundations in place, including page titles and descriptions, clear heading structure, image alt text, mobile-friendly design and a properly connected sitemap.

I can also help with Google Search Console and submitting your sitemap so Google can discover and index the website. What basic SEO doesn’t mean is an automatic number-one ranking, because that depends on things like your industry, competition, content and ongoing SEO work. The aim is to launch your website properly set up for search, rather than just hoping Google finds it.

Can you build online shops? Booking systems? Memberships? Courses? Event websites? What about things like property listings or third-party integrations?

Yes. I can build websites with features such as online shops, booking systems, memberships, courses and event listings, depending on what your business needs and the platform we’re using.

For more specialist functionality, such as property listings, CRM connections or other third-party integrations, I’ll look at what’s required and work out the best solution before the project begins. If something needs specialist development beyond what I offer, I’ll be upfront about that rather than trying to bodge it together and hope for the best.

My website already exists but it’s ugly/confusing/outdated. Can you just fix it rather than completely rebuild it? Can I hire you for a few hours of changes?

Absolutely. If your website already works but feels outdated, confusing or just doesn’t reflect your business anymore, you might not need a full rebuild.

I can refresh existing websites, improve layouts and navigation, tidy up design inconsistencies, update content and make smaller changes where needed. I also offer ad hoc website support, so if you just need a few hours of help rather than a full website project, that can be an option too.

What happens when my website goes live? Do you teach me how to edit it? Do I get training/videos? What if I break something?

Once your website is live, I won’t just hand you the keys and disappear. I’ll show you how to make the everyday updates you’re likely to need, and where appropriate I can provide simple handover guidance or recorded walkthrough videos you can come back to later.

And if you do accidentally press something weird, don’t panic 😂 I can still help with website updates, fixes and ongoing support after launch if you need me.

Can I pay you to maintain my site? Can you make occasional edits for me? Is there a monthly support option?

Yes. If you’d rather not manage everything yourself after launch, I can help with ongoing website maintenance, updates and occasional edits as needed.

Depending on the level of support you want, this can be arranged as ad hoc website support or a monthly support plan, so you’ve got someone to call when something needs updated, added or fixed without having to start a whole new project each time.

Can I hire you just for a brochure/business card/signage/presentation? Is there a minimum job size? Do I need to already have professional branding?

Yes. I can help with one-off graphic design projects such as brochures, business cards, signage, presentations, social graphics and other branded materials.

You don’t necessarily need to have professional branding already, although having a clear logo, colours and fonts usually makes the process much smoother. For smaller jobs, I’ll always let you know if it makes more sense to book ad hoc design support rather than a larger project.

Are these Canva templates I can edit myself? How many do I get? Do you write the posts too or just design the templates?

Yes. Social media templates are usually created in Canva so you can easily edit and reuse them yourself after handover.

The number of templates depends on the package or what your business actually needs, and I can create things like post templates, carousels, story graphics and promotional designs. Unless copywriting is included separately, I’ll design the templates and layout rather than write all of your ongoing social media posts for you.

What exactly is included compared with buying branding + website separately? Is there a saving? Who is this best suited to?

A combined branding and website project brings everything together in one process, so your brand strategy, visual identity and website are all designed to work consistently from the start.

It’s usually best suited to new or growing businesses that need both a strong brand and a professional website, or businesses going through a bigger rebrand. Where both are booked together, I can often streamline the process and price the project more efficiently than treating them as two completely separate jobs. Your proposal will clearly show what’s included and whether there’s a combined-package saving.

How involved do I need to be? Will you give me homework/questionnaires? How many concepts do I see? How many rounds of revisions do I get?

You’ll be involved throughout, but I’ll guide the process so you’re never left wondering what you need to do next. Most projects start with a discovery questionnaire or some simple prep so I can properly understand your business, audience and goals before I begin designing.

The number of concepts and revision rounds depends on the project and will always be clearly outlined in your proposal. I keep the process focused rather than throwing loads of random options at you, with enough space for feedback and refinement to get everything feeling right.

What if I hate the first design? 😂 How collaborative is the process? Do I get to give feedback throughout?

Don’t panic 😂 The design process is collaborative, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to give feedback as we go.

I don’t expect you to just smile politely and accept something you don’t love. Your feedback helps shape and refine the direction, and we’ll work through the agreed revision rounds together until the final design feels right for your business.

Can I see more projects like mine? What did the client need before you started? What did you actually change? Did the project improve enquiries, bookings, confidence, conversion etc?

Absolutely. If you’d like to see projects similar to yours, I can point you towards relevant branding and website work and talk you through what the client needed, what wasn’t working before and what we changed.

Where I have client feedback or measurable results, I’ll also share things like improved enquiries, bookings, confidence or a clearer customer journey. Not every project has neat before-and-after numbers, but I’ll always give you the real context behind the work rather than just showing you a pretty final design.

Have people hired you specifically for websites? Branding? Bigger projects? I see testimonials on the homepage, but I’d love deeper case studies rather than just finished visuals.

Yes. Clients have hired me for standalone branding projects, website design and larger projects that bring branding, websites and supporting design together.

My testimonials give you a quick feel for what it’s like to work with me, but I’m also building out more detailed case studies that show the full story behind each project, including what the client needed, the problems we were solving, the thinking behind the design and what changed afterwards.

How long have you been doing this? What qualifications/experience do you have? Why should I hire you rather than another freelancer or agency?

I’ve worked with businesses across branding, website design and graphic design projects, from smaller one-off jobs to full rebrands and website builds.

I’m a hands-on independent designer, so you’re working directly with me rather than being passed between different people in an agency. I take the time to understand your business, explain things in plain English and create something that not only looks good, but actually works for where your business is heading.

I’m also constantly developing my skills across branding, website design, SEO and digital tools, so the way I work keeps evolving too.

Do you consider accessibility, mobile responsiveness and usability when designing websites?

Yes. Every website I design is built with usability, mobile responsiveness and accessibility in mind from the start.

That includes things like clear navigation, readable text, good colour contrast, sensible heading structure, image alt text and making sure the site works properly across different screen sizes. The aim is to create a website that not only looks good, but is easy for real people to actually use.

Do you sort cookie banners, privacy policies, terms etc, or is that my responsibility?

I can help with the website setup side of things, including adding cookie banners and creating pages for things like your privacy policy and terms where needed.

The actual legal wording and making sure it’s right for your specific business is ultimately your responsibility, so I’d always recommend using proper legal templates or getting professional advice if you’re unsure. I can then make sure everything is added to the website properly and is easy for visitors to find.

What happens if my circumstances change halfway through? Can a project be postponed? What if I’m late providing content?

Life happens, so if something changes halfway through your project, just let me know as soon as you can and we’ll work out the best way forward.

Projects can usually be postponed or rescheduled where needed, although this may affect your original timeline and availability in my diary. If content, feedback or approvals are delayed, the project timeline may need to move too. I’ll always communicate clearly so we can keep things as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Do you prefer email, phone, WhatsApp, DM or discovery call? I can see several ways to contact you, but I don't know which one you actually want me to use.

The best place to start is through my website enquiry form or by email, as it means I have all the details in one place and can properly look over what you need before replying.

You’re always welcome to message me on social media too, but for new project enquiries I’ll usually move things over to email and then arrange a discovery call if it feels like a good fit.