Frequently Asked Questions

Good questions deserve straight answers. Here are the ones Simon Bailey Design gets asked most often, from first-time clients and returning ones alike. If something isn’t covered here, just get in touch.

Working Together

How do I get started?

The best first step is a conversation. No forms, no fuss. Get in touch, share what you’re working on, and Simon Bailey Design will take it from there. If a formal brief is needed, that comes next.

What do I need to have ready?

Not as much as you might think, at least at the start. A rough idea of what you need and a sense of your timeline is enough to get the conversation going. The brief, the content, and the finer details can be worked through together.

How long does a project take?

It depends on the project. A logo or print job typically moves through in a few weeks. A WordPress website can take anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on complexity and, honestly, how quickly content comes through. The more prepared a client is, the smoother the ride. For a step-by-step breakdown, see Typical Process Examples.

Do you work with clients outside NSW?

Yes. Simon Bailey Design works with clients across Australia. Most of the process works just as well remotely, via email, phone, or video call.

Content and Assets

How should I supply my text?

As a Word document, or via Google Docs. Don’t spend time on formatting, that happens during the design process. Clean, readable copy is all that’s needed.

Can you write the content for me?

Copywriting isn’t a Simon Bailey Design service, but a referral to a trusted copywriter is easy to arrange.

How should I supply images and files?

Via Dropbox (preferred) or Google Drive, organised into clearly labelled folders. For example: Home page images, About page images, Product PDFs. The cleaner the handover, the faster the build.

Can you source images for the project?

Yes. Simon Bailey Design is happy to source images on your behalf. A small fee applies, and options from reputable royalty-free libraries will be provided for your review, before any are purchased.

WordPress and Hosting

Why WordPress?

WordPress powers more than a third of all websites on the internet, and Simon Bailey Design has been building with it since 2008. It’s flexible, well-supported, and built to grow with your business. The developer community behind it is enormous, which means there are often good solutions available.

Which themes and plugins do you use?

Simon Bailey Design uses a carefully curated toolkit of themes, plugins, and hosting providers, chosen for reliability, performance, and longevity. For the full list, see the WordPress Toolkit.

Do I need dedicated WordPress hosting?

Strongly recommended, yes. Dedicated WordPress hosting is built specifically for the platform, which means better speed, better security, and better support. It also comes with peace of mind features like automated daily backups and one-click staging. Simon Bailey Design is happy to advise on the right option for your budget and requirements.

Support and Maintenance

Do you provide support after a website is launched?

Yes. The first two weeks after launch include technical support at no extra charge, to make sure everything is running as it should. After that, two options are available: an ongoing support plan (price on application), or ad-hoc support billed in 15-minute increments. Ad-hoc work covers things like plugin updates, content changes, backups, and troubleshooting.

How often does a WordPress website need updating?

Regularly. Think of it like a car. A new car runs beautifully, but skip the services and things start to go wrong. Slowly at first, then all at once. WordPress core, themes, and plugins all need periodic updates to stay secure and perform well. If there’s no one in-house to handle this, Simon Bailey Design can help.

Is WordPress secure?

Yes, when it’s set up and maintained correctly. The most common security risks come from outdated plugins or poorly configured hosting, not from WordPress itself. With dedicated hosting, regular updates, and a solid security plugin in place, there’s very little to worry about.

SEO and Analytics

How will I know if people are visiting my website?

Analytics will be installed as part of every website build. Simon Bailey Design typically uses a lightweight WordPress plugin rather than the full Google Analytics setup, which is more than most clients actually need. If Google Analytics is a specific requirement, just say so.

How long will it take to appear in Google search results?

There’s no honest answer beyond: it varies. It depends on the search terms you’re targeting, how competitive your market is, and how consistently new content is being added to your site. What can be said is that WordPress is a solid foundation for SEO, and regular, well-written content makes a genuine difference over time.

Do you offer SEO or search engine marketing?

Simon Bailey Design offers a number of Digital Marketing services and is happy to discuss this with you further.

Security and Data

How do you handle confidential data?

Any confidential information, such as usernames and passwords, is stored using a cloud-based password manager with end-to-end AES 256-bit encryption. It stays secure and is only ever used in the context of your project. Confidentiality is also covered in Simon Bailey Design’s Terms of Business, which are signed before any work commences.

Do you keep a backup of project files?

Yes. Simon Bailey Design keeps a backup of every project where possible. If files need to be retrieved in future, a small fee applies. Keeping your own copy is also a good idea, just in case.

Pricing and Terms

How does pricing work?

Every project is different, so pricing is based on scope. Simon Bailey Design provides a formal written estimate before any work begins. Typically, a 50% deposit is required to get started, with the remaining 50% due on completion. No surprises.

What are your Terms of Business?

Simon Bailey Design’s Terms of Business are provided as part of the formal estimate process. The Terms need to be signed and returned before any work commences. If you’d like a copy before then, just ask.

Still Have a Question?

Questions are a good sign. They mean you’re thinking carefully about your project. Get in touch, the first conversation costs nothing and usually answers more than one.