Image: Kindly supplied by Top Of The Lake Guiding
This page brings together common questions about working with dsh Design, grouped so small and start-up businesses can quickly find what they need. If you prefer to talk things through, you can also visit the Contact page to get in touch directly.
Who is dsh Design for?
dsh Design is set up for small and start-up businesses, farms, trades, clubs and community groups that want a clear, affordable website and simple graphic design without technical jargon.
Who will I be dealing with?
You will work directly with Ross from start to finish. There is no big agency team, just one point of contact who handles your website and design work.
Do I need to be local to Rangiora or Canterbury?
No. While many clients are based in Canterbury and wider New Zealand, most of the work is done by email and phone, so location is usually not a problem.
I am not technical – is that a problem?
No. The whole process is kept simple and non-technical. You do not need to learn how to build or maintain a website – that is taken care of for you.
Where can I see examples of your work?
You can view recent websites on the Web Design Portfolio page and print work on the Print & Branding Portfolio page.
Who is dsh Design for?
dsh Design is set up for small and start-up businesses, farms, trades, clubs and community groups that want a clear, affordable website and simple graphic design without technical jargon.
Who will I be dealing with?
You will work directly with Ross from start to finish. There is no big agency team, just one point of contact who handles your website and design work.
Do I need to be local to Rangiora or Canterbury?
No. While many clients are based in Canterbury and wider New Zealand, most of the work is done by email and phone, so location is usually not a problem.
I am not technical – is that a problem?
No. The whole process is kept simple and non-technical. You do not need to learn how to build or maintain a website – that is taken care of for you.
Where can I see examples of your work?
You can view recent websites on the Web Design Portfolio page and print work on the Print & Branding Portfolio page.
What does dsh Design actually do?
dsh Design creates and maintains simple, affordable websites for small businesses and community groups, and provides supporting graphic design such as brochures, business cards, ad copy and digital flipping books.
How is dsh Design different from a big agency?
You deal with one person, costs are kept low and the process is straightforward. There are no layers of account managers or complex systems to learn.
Do you only build new websites?
No. New websites are common, but existing sites can often be refreshed, reorganised or rebuilt if that is the better option. This is discussed with you at the start of a project.
Where can I read more about how you work?
The Why Choose dsh Design page explains the approach, pricing style and ongoing support in more detail.
dsh Design creates and maintains simple, affordable websites for small businesses and community groups, and provides supporting graphic design such as brochures, business cards, ad copy and digital flipping books.
How is dsh Design different from a big agency?
You deal with one person, costs are kept low and the process is straightforward. There are no layers of account managers or complex systems to learn.
Do you only build new websites?
No. New websites are common, but existing sites can often be refreshed, reorganised or rebuilt if that is the better option. This is discussed with you at the start of a project.
Where can I read more about how you work?
The Why Choose dsh Design page explains the approach, pricing style and ongoing support in more detail.
What is the usual timeline for a website?
Most small websites are designed and built within a few weeks once you have supplied your content. Timing depends on how quickly information and feedback can be provided.
What is included in a typical website?
A standard site includes a custom design, up to around 15 pages, basic on-page SEO, contact form, mobile-friendly layout and setup of your domain and hosting where needed. See the Web Design page for more detail.
What do I need to provide?
Usually you provide your logo, any existing photos, and the key information about your business, services and contact details. If you need help with wording, dsh Design can assist with simple ad copy and page text.
Do you write the content as well?
Yes, basic marketing text can be written or edited for you, based on notes, brochures or a phone call. This keeps things moving for clients who are busy or unsure what to say.
Will my website work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Websites are built to be responsive, so they adjust to different screen sizes including mobiles and tablets.
Do you take care of SEO?
Basic on-page SEO is included, such as page titles, descriptions and headings. If you need more advanced SEO, this can be discussed and scoped separately.
Can you update an existing website instead of starting again?
Often yes, but it depends on how the current site was built. In some cases a fresh build is simpler and more cost-effective. This is covered in an initial chat and quote.
Where can I read more about the web design process?
The Simple, Non-Technical Design Process section on the Web Design page explains each step.
Most small websites are designed and built within a few weeks once you have supplied your content. Timing depends on how quickly information and feedback can be provided.
What is included in a typical website?
A standard site includes a custom design, up to around 15 pages, basic on-page SEO, contact form, mobile-friendly layout and setup of your domain and hosting where needed. See the Web Design page for more detail.
What do I need to provide?
Usually you provide your logo, any existing photos, and the key information about your business, services and contact details. If you need help with wording, dsh Design can assist with simple ad copy and page text.
Do you write the content as well?
Yes, basic marketing text can be written or edited for you, based on notes, brochures or a phone call. This keeps things moving for clients who are busy or unsure what to say.
Will my website work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Websites are built to be responsive, so they adjust to different screen sizes including mobiles and tablets.
Do you take care of SEO?
Basic on-page SEO is included, such as page titles, descriptions and headings. If you need more advanced SEO, this can be discussed and scoped separately.
Can you update an existing website instead of starting again?
Often yes, but it depends on how the current site was built. In some cases a fresh build is simpler and more cost-effective. This is covered in an initial chat and quote.
Where can I read more about the web design process?
The Simple, Non-Technical Design Process section on the Web Design page explains each step.
How much does a website usually cost?
Costs vary depending on what you need, but there is a standard starter package designed for small businesses that keeps things very affordable. This includes design, build, hosting and maintenance for your first year.
Do you have set packages?
Yes, there is a main starter website package, and most projects are based around that with adjustments for your specific needs. Details are outlined on the Packages & Pricing page.
How do you handle deposits and payments?
For most projects, a deposit is paid once you approve the quote, with the balance due when the website goes live or design work is completed. The exact schedule is confirmed in your quote or email agreement.
Do you offer annual invoicing?
Yes. Many clients prefer one simple annual invoice that covers domain, hosting and ongoing maintenance. This can be arranged so you have predictable yearly costs.
What about ongoing costs after the first year?
After the first year you continue with an agreed annual fee for hosting and maintenance, and any extra work outside the agreed scope is quoted as needed.
How are graphic design jobs charged?
Smaller items like business cards or a simple flyer are usually quoted as a fixed price based on the brief. Larger brochures or multiple pieces of collateral may be quoted as a package.
Can you work within a tight small-business budget?
Yes. Keeping things affordable for small and start-up businesses is a key focus. The scope can be tailored to match what you can reasonably spend now, with room to grow later.
Costs vary depending on what you need, but there is a standard starter package designed for small businesses that keeps things very affordable. This includes design, build, hosting and maintenance for your first year.
Do you have set packages?
Yes, there is a main starter website package, and most projects are based around that with adjustments for your specific needs. Details are outlined on the Packages & Pricing page.
How do you handle deposits and payments?
For most projects, a deposit is paid once you approve the quote, with the balance due when the website goes live or design work is completed. The exact schedule is confirmed in your quote or email agreement.
Do you offer annual invoicing?
Yes. Many clients prefer one simple annual invoice that covers domain, hosting and ongoing maintenance. This can be arranged so you have predictable yearly costs.
What about ongoing costs after the first year?
After the first year you continue with an agreed annual fee for hosting and maintenance, and any extra work outside the agreed scope is quoted as needed.
How are graphic design jobs charged?
Smaller items like business cards or a simple flyer are usually quoted as a fixed price based on the brief. Larger brochures or multiple pieces of collateral may be quoted as a package.
Can you work within a tight small-business budget?
Yes. Keeping things affordable for small and start-up businesses is a key focus. The scope can be tailored to match what you can reasonably spend now, with room to grow later.
Who looks after my website once it is live?
dsh Design looks after the technical side for you – hosting, updates to the software used and general upkeep – so you do not need to learn any of it.
How do I request changes or updates?
You simply email or call with the changes you need, such as new text, photos or a new page. Most small updates are handled as part of your ongoing maintenance.
How quickly are changes made?
Turnaround depends on the size of the request, but minor updates are usually made within a few days. If something is urgent, that can be discussed when you get in touch.
Do you handle backups and security?
Yes. Regular backups and basic security measures are part of the ongoing maintenance so your site can be restored if something goes wrong.
Can I update the site myself?
The service is aimed at clients who prefer not to manage their own website. In most cases, it is simpler and faster to send changes through to dsh Design to handle for you.
What if I want to move my website or hosting later?
If you decide to move away in future, you can request a copy of your website files or content and discuss the best way to transition.
dsh Design looks after the technical side for you – hosting, updates to the software used and general upkeep – so you do not need to learn any of it.
How do I request changes or updates?
You simply email or call with the changes you need, such as new text, photos or a new page. Most small updates are handled as part of your ongoing maintenance.
How quickly are changes made?
Turnaround depends on the size of the request, but minor updates are usually made within a few days. If something is urgent, that can be discussed when you get in touch.
Do you handle backups and security?
Yes. Regular backups and basic security measures are part of the ongoing maintenance so your site can be restored if something goes wrong.
Can I update the site myself?
The service is aimed at clients who prefer not to manage their own website. In most cases, it is simpler and faster to send changes through to dsh Design to handle for you.
What if I want to move my website or hosting later?
If you decide to move away in future, you can request a copy of your website files or content and discuss the best way to transition.
What kinds of graphic design do you offer?
Common projects include brochures and flyers, business cards, simple logos, digital flipping books, and ad copy or marketing text to support your website and print materials. You can read more on the Graphic Design page.
Can you work with my existing logo and branding?
Yes. Existing logos, colours and fonts can be used to keep everything consistent. If you do not yet have a logo or clear branding, some simple options can be created for you.
What file formats will I receive?
For print jobs you usually receive print-ready PDF files, and where useful, image files such as JPG or PNG for web and social media use.
Do you arrange printing as well?
In many cases, yes – especially for common items like business cards and brochures. Otherwise, you will receive print-ready files that you can send to your preferred printer.
Can you design digital-only materials?
Yes. Digital brochures, flipping books and other on-screen materials can be created to match your website and branding.
Where can I see examples of graphic design work?
Examples of print and branding projects are shown on the Print & Branding Portfolio page.
Common projects include brochures and flyers, business cards, simple logos, digital flipping books, and ad copy or marketing text to support your website and print materials. You can read more on the Graphic Design page.
Can you work with my existing logo and branding?
Yes. Existing logos, colours and fonts can be used to keep everything consistent. If you do not yet have a logo or clear branding, some simple options can be created for you.
What file formats will I receive?
For print jobs you usually receive print-ready PDF files, and where useful, image files such as JPG or PNG for web and social media use.
Do you arrange printing as well?
In many cases, yes – especially for common items like business cards and brochures. Otherwise, you will receive print-ready files that you can send to your preferred printer.
Can you design digital-only materials?
Yes. Digital brochures, flipping books and other on-screen materials can be created to match your website and branding.
Where can I see examples of graphic design work?
Examples of print and branding projects are shown on the Print & Branding Portfolio page.
If your question is not covered above, you are very welcome to get in touch and ask. Ross can talk through what you are trying to achieve, give an idea of costs and suggest a simple way forward that suits your business.
You can email ross@pagans.nz or phone 021 048 4261, or use the contact form on the website.
You can email ross@pagans.nz or phone 021 048 4261, or use the contact form on the website.