Frequently Asked Questions

Before taking the leap and working with us, it might be that you have a few questions.  Here are a few that we are often asked, and if you have any others, feel free to contact us and we'll come back to you as soon as we can.

General FAQs

Q:  How much will my project cost?

This really depends on what you need.  If you need a one page website plus logo design, the cost will clearly be significantly lower that if you opt for a 20 page website with all-singing, all-dancing features.  If you buy a template online, your cost is going to be lower than if you hire a professional graphic design team to develop a unique look and feel for you.  Why not get in touch with us for a chat about your needs and we can provide you with free quote?

Q:  Once we submit our requirements, what happens?

Once we receive your completed brief, or your email with your requirements, we go through them.  Depending on the level of detail in your brief, we either prepare a quotation based on your requirements or give you a ring to discuss your reuqirements.  Normally, we prefer to contact you to ensure that we understand exactly what you want to do or to suggest alternative options.

Once we are comfortable that we understand what you need and are able to meet your requirements, we prepare your quotation and send it to you via email.

The rest is up to you.

Q:  If we decide to work with you, how do we proceed?

The first thing we'll do is send you a new client form - this confirms what we will be delivering, the cost of the project and your details.  Once you have signed the form and returned it to us, we invoice you 50% of the project value in advance - unfortunately, without the 50% advance payment, we cannot start your project.

As soon as that's paid (by cash, cheque or bank transfer), we get started on the project - depending on the type of project, you can normally expect to see initial design ideas (concepts) within anything from 3-5 working days (for logos) and 5-8 days (websites, brochures and other projects).

Q:  Where are you based?

We're based in Corlett Gardens, near Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa.  Although most of the team tends to work remotely, our account manager, Sally, is always on hand if you want to talk or meet.

Q:  What software packages and programming languages do you use internally?

For websites and web-related projects, we use:

• HTML
• PHP
• XML
• CSS
• Web Compliant XHTML (strict and transitional)
• Javascript
• Macromedia Dreamweaver

We also use flash for some graphic elements of the websites.

For images, we love Adobe Photoshop.

When it comes to vector graphics and some graphic design material, we stick to Adobe Illustrator.

For work that requires layout, as well as things like stationery and business cards, we us Adobe InDesign.

Services FAQs

Q:  What services does Naturally Africa offer?

Naturally Africa specialises in providing branding (like logo design, stationery and business card design), website design and development, website maintenance and graphic design (like brochures, posters and newsletters).

Branding FAQs

Q:  What do you mean by "branding"?  What is a brand?

Branding means different things to different people and as a result, few people know what it means!  We'll give you our definition of branding, in the context of new and growing businesses.

A brand is typically a name or symbol that is used to identify a business or product and separate it from it's competition.  A strong brand is one that has a name or symbol that is instantly recognisable, even if you don't use their products.

"Branding" is the process of giving a business an identity - through the use of a name, logo, design elements, website - with which it can be recognised in the market.  On a more philosophical basis, a brand is also about the values of an organisation and a strong brand aims to get those values communicated in all branded material - for example, if you are a lawyer who specialises in clear, simple, jargon-free legal advice, you are likely to want a brand that is clean, simple and to-the-point.

Outside the realms of design, your brand is also affected by things like:

• how you communicate with customers
• how your staff dress and answer the phone
• your pricing
• the PR and marketing that you do
• your positioning
• and a great deal more!

For example, if you own a "cool" surfing shop, it's likely that clients will expect your brand to be sporty but laid-back, with a focus on surfing.  Your staff will have a slightly sunbleached look or be fit and tanned, and although they will be professional and clued up on their subject, they won't be stiff or "corporate".

All of these elements work together to create an identity for your business.  They create a "promise" or an expectation and all the elements in your brand should ideally work together to meet that expection.

Naturally Africa provides the following branding services to South African businesses:

• logo design
• stationery design (letterhead, compliment slip etc.)
• business card design
• website design and development
• various graphic design solutions including brochures, leaflets, posters, newsletters, blogs and more

Graphic Design FAQs

Q:  What graphic design services do you provide?

We provide a wide range of graphic design services for South African businesses, from logos and business cards, to brochures and posters.  We also design unique blogs, newsletters and other online marketing tools, and we can programme these for you as well.

Q:  What is the logo design process?

Initial Contact:
You get in touch with us, via email or though our online brief form.  Either way, we'll then call you or email you to discuss your project in more detail to get an understanding of what you need.  The purpose of this is to to get a clear idea of your requirements and objectives relating to your logo design needs.

Proposal/ Quotation:
Based on the information you have provided, we then provide you with a proposal.   Upon acceptance of the proposal, you will have the opportunity to review and approve a standard design contract that spells out the project's goals and specifications, as well as the duties and responsibilities of each party during the life of the project. Once the contract is signed, payment for 50% of the project's total cost is due.

Concept Design:
Once the project is approved and paid, we start working on your logo designs.  Depending on how many logo concepts we have promised to deliver, we normally deliver 3-5 different logo concepts based on your brief.  We deliver these to you for review and feedback.  There tend to be two outcomes from this:

1.  you love one of the concepts and are happy to approve

2.  you like parts of one or more of the concepts, but want tweaks to fonts, colours, graphics, whatever - you then provide us with detailed feedback and revise until you are completely happy to approve.

We specify a maximum number of revision stages in your proposal, although we are normally happy to tweak and tune until you are happy, within reason.

We deliver your logos to you via email and invoice you for the outstanding fee.

Q:  When you deliver my logo, what file formats will be included?

We deliver all logos in the following file formats:

• GIF
• PNG
• JPG
• EPS
• AI
• PDF

Q:  Can I use my logo for websites and electronic documents?

Yes. Your logo will be fully optimised for electronic use.

You will receive web friendly file formats for use on a website, email, and other online uses. These file formats included are JPG, PNG & GIF files. You get full-color versions in 8 different set sizes making your logo ready to use. The backgrounds of the PNG and GIF images are transparent for more versatility.

Q:  Can my printers use my logo for print formats?

Yes.  Your logo will be ready for print use.

You will also receive print friendly file formats are suitable for printed materials. You will receive an EPS, AI and PDF file formats. These files are delivered in a CMYK (four colour process) format making these files suitable for your stationery or your marketing materials.

Q:  What can I use my logo for?

All logos delivered by Naturally Africa can be use for:

• Websites, email and other online uses
• Word, PowerPoint and other presentational applications.
• Stationery, flyers, brochures, signage and other marketing materials.

Q:  What is the process for other graphic design?

Initial Contact:
You get in touch with us, via email or though our online brief form.  Either way, we'll then call you or email you to discuss your project in more detail to get an understanding of what you need.  The purpose of this is to to get a clear idea of your requirements and objectives relating to your graphic design needs.

Proposal/ Quotation:
Based on the information you have provided, we then provide you with a proposal.   Upon acceptance of the proposal, you will have the opportunity to review and approve a standard design contract that spells out the project's goals and specifications, as well as the duties and responsibilities of each party during the life of the project. Once the contract is signed, payment for 50% of the project's total cost is due.

Concept Design:
Once the project is approved and paid, we start working on your concept designs. How many designs we prepare, the number of revision stages and the overall design process is dependent on the project, but it's a review and feedback stage where we send you the design, you review and send feedback, we revise and so on until you are ready to approve.

That's it!

Website FAQs

Q:  What should I put on my website?

Normally, we give you advice about what content to include/ exclude during our initial telephone conversation.  In general though, your website needs to have informative content on it, written with your clients issues in mind. Put yourself in their shoes and think that if a client were to find you online, or visit your website as a result of a referral, what would be of interest to them?

• Depending on your business, your website might include:
• Information about the business or the key business staff
• Information about your services
• Examples of how you have helped people in the same situation as your customers
• Perhaps some credientials or testimonials
• Perhaps pricing information
• Contact information

Q:  How important is search engine optimisation (SEO)?

We're aware that a lot of SEO consultants promote search engine optimisation as the most critical element of your website.  This isn't strictly true, however.

Not all businesses rely on random search engine traffic - many of our website customers in the training, consulting and coaching sectors tend to use networking and other marketing techniques to capture new leads.  They then refer these potential leads to their websites to demonstrate their professionalism, provide additional information and encourage further contact.  They establish relationships first and "vet" potential customers, then use their website to continue a good first impression.  For these businesses, good SEO is important to give them visibility, but is not essential to their daily revenue streams.

Other businesses rely heavily on being found.  For example, online shops don't need to form a relationship with customers and rely heavily on good search engine rankings.  Service providers like plumbers and electricians benefit from good rankings that attract customers from a given catchment area.

Naturally Africa always takes basic steps to ensure that your site ranks well for your chosen key phrase, and at a fraction of what you would pay a Search Engine Optimization firm.

Q:  How important is the design of my website?

Some website developers - especially those with a search engine optimisation focus, or a "techie" focus - tend to pooh-pooh the importance of a strong design.  The reality is that for many people, your website will be either their first contact with your business, or at least a point of contact early in your business relationship.

Like most first impressions, visitors to your wesite will form a near-instant impression of your business and decide within a matter of seconds whether they are going to stay or go. So your site has to look good, and it has to have clear signposting to get your visitor to do what you want them to do.  You want them to contact you?  Prominent contact information needs to be displayed.  You want them to read an article?  Your design needs to guide them to that.

Fortunately, creating strong layouts that create the right first impression and that guide visitors to the right part of your site is one of our specialities!

Q:  Can Naturally Africa maintain my website, even if someone else designed it?

Yes. We are happy to maintain your website once it's up and running.  Regardless of whether we build the site, or if you already have a site that you need help maintaining, we can make any and all necessary updates to your website.

All our clients have the option to have a self-editable website if they prefer, however we understand that many people prefer to spend their time doing what they are good at and what they enjoy, so we can take over the techie stuff that you don't want.

Minor revisions are normally carried out quickly (within a matter of hours), whereas redesigns and more time-consuming changes can take longer.

Q:  Can Naturally Africa host my new website?

Yes.  Naturally Africa partners with Simple Hosting Solutions for all its hosting needs.  Simple Hosting Solutions is a reliable, cost-effective web host with customer-focused staff at the end of a support line.  Website hosting plans start at R400 per year.

Q:  Can Naturally Africa register my domain name?

Yes.  Naturally Africa registers your domain for you.  The inital cost is R200, then an additional R100 per year.

Q:  What is Naturally Africa's website design process? 

In order for a project to be successful, it's important that we have a clear flow.  We've summarised the key steps for you below.

Initial Contact:
You get in touch with us, via email or though our online brief form.  Either way, we'll then call you or email you to discuss your project in more detail to get an understanding of what you need.  There is nothing technical about this - it's more for use to get a clear idea of your requirements and objectives relating to your website.

Proposal/ Quotation:
Based on the information you have provided, we then provide you with a proposal.  This is normally quite detailed, to make sure that you understand exactly what you are getting for your money.   Upon acceptance of the proposal, you will have the opportunity to review and approve a standard web design contract that spells out the project's goals and specifications, as well as the duties and responsibilities of each party during the life of the project. Once the contract is signed, payment for 50% of the project's total cost is due.

Concept Design:
Once the project is approved and paid, we start working on your website design.  We design an initial home page design in an imaging programme to show you how the home page will look.  You review the design, and there tend to be 3 outcomes:

1.  you love it, and we can move on to the design of the "follow-on" page, which dictates the look and feel of the other pages on the site.

2.  you like parts of the design, but want tweaks - you then provide us with detailed feedback nd revise until you are completely happy to approve.

3.  you aren't happy with the design, and we need to go back to the drawing board.  In this situation, we need very detailed feedback to understand what hasn't met your requirements before we do this.

Once you have approved the home page, we repeat the process for the "follow-on" page concept.

We provide a maximum of 2 concepts (2 home page and 2 follow-on page concepts) and to date, we've seldom needed to deliver more than one!

Content:
While we are developing your design concepts, we will ask you to produce all your website content, including:

• website content/ text
• photographs not included in the design concepts
• audio files
• video files
• downloadable documents
• etc.

Website Development:
Once the design concepts have been approved and we have your content, we can turn the designs into a fully functional website.  We will add all content, buy and insert any stock images included in your website proposal, add images and downloads as per your content and programme the site with your keywords.

We then test the site, and when we're happy, we upload the site to a special location on our website so that you can review the site in a test area.  The site will be fully functional, just not "live".

Quality Assurance & Testing:
Once we have uploaded the site to the test area, we will ask you to review the site thoroughly to ensure that it meets your expectations.  If you have any tweaks or concerns at this point, we will address them at this stage.

When you are happy, we ask you to provide us with written approval, either via fax or email.

Launch & Post-Launch Support:
Once you have approved the website, we will add Google Analytics code to your site (so that you can track visitors), upload your site to the internet and it will be live.  We will submit the site to all the major search engines and will provide you with a short document outlining where to check visitor statitics, and if you have hosting, your hosting login details.  In addition, if you have a content management website, we will also provide you telephone training as specified in the proposal and a quickstart user guide to show you how to use the site.

This marks the completion of your website design project and the final invoice is raised.

We provide 30 days free telephone and email support from the launch of your site.  This support can be in the form of site modifications, technical support, or consultation.