How To Hire Help For Small Tweaks To Your Website
1. Create A List Of Updates
Sit down and audit your website. Create a list of the updates you want to have made. Once you have a full list, prioritize them. Item one at the top of the list should be the most important, the second item the second most important, and so on.
For example,
- Resize the logo that is in the left side of the header so that it’s about 25% smaller
- Swap in the new copy for my about page (please delete all of the copy that is currently on the about page and insert the new copy from the attached document named “about-page-march-2021.docx”)
- Insert the new image for the fees page (please replace the image of the sunflower at the top of the page and replace it with the attached file named “fees-page.jpg). Can you also optimize the image for size before inserting it.
- …etc
If you need any design changes needed, note that you will need to be as specific and illustrative as possible. E.g., instead of saying, “change the button color to blue” you may want to say, “change the button color to match the same color blue as seen on this website (link)”
The more specific you are, the more efficient the process will be.
2. Gather Files, Passwords, And More
And the more organized you are with anything that’s needed to successfully implement the changes, the more efficient the process will be too. So round up images, documents with new copy or content changes, reference or inspiration links, etc
A good way to do this is go through every item in your prioritized list and ask: “what will my helper need in order to accomplish this on the website?”
So if you want them to insert a new image, have you already downloaded the image?
If you want them to help insert new copy, is it in a document, ready to go?
On a more tech level, you may also want to review what login information they may need. Do you remember how to log into your website and with what credentials? (When it comes time to give them login information, do so over secure channels. I recommend noteshred for one option there)
It’s your job to get them everything they need to complete your website tweaks for you. Do you best to think it through in advance so you’re prepared to deliver.
3. Find Help
Most professional website designers and website developers do not take on small tweaks projects. Instead, you’ll want to look for a virtual assistant who has a background in making website design or content updates and on an hourly basis.
The best ways to hire virtual assistants? Ask for referrals for assistants who are familiar with your website platform (E.g., “Squarespace” or “Wix”) or familiar with WordPress plus your WordPress theme (E.g., “WordPress with Divi Theme”)
If you need design (read: aesthetic) changes, you may want to inquire with whoever you may hire about their design capabilities and review some of their work to ensure fit.
4. Work Together
Once you find someone, hire them for two hours of their time. Provide them with your prioritized list letting them know that they can start at the top of the list and see what they are able to accomplish in the first hour of the time that you’ve hired them for.
Once they’ve completed as much as they can get through, ask them to let you know how far down your list they made it so that you can check out what they’ve accomplished so far.
Take a look and provide feedback and any revisions you might have. A good way to do this is to return to your prioritized list and update it with any revisions you’ll want made. Continue to prioritize the list so that the most important revisions or remaining tasks are at the top.
Then, send the revised list back to your hire. Rinse and repeat until you get all of your tasks completed.
Important: Expect Collaboration
It’s important to know that revisions are a normal part of the creative process. You should always expect to have to give them. Approach website updates as collaborative rather than “they will read my mind and get everything perfect the first time around.”
It requires your input, their efforts, more of your input, more of their efforts, and so on to get things “right”
Keep Things Simple
Following this simple process keeps things clear and low-stress for both sides involved. You are responsible for: communicating what you need and cultivating a collaborative partnership. They are responsible for: communicating clearly about their scope of knowledge, their work, and doing their best.
