Our website design process explained step by step
At our web design agency, we know that building a new website can feel like a big project. That is why we follow a clear, structured web design process that keeps everything transparent and collaborative from the very beginning. By working in stages, we make sure the website is not only beautifully designed but also strategically aligned with business goals. Whether it’s a new site from scratch or a website redesign, our method ensures quality and consistency every step of the way.
Onboarding
Our aim is to make onboarding as seamless as possible so everyone can feel confident that the project is in safe hands right from the beginning.
Initial administration tasks
We take care of the essential administration tasks that make everything run smoothly. This includes gathering all the correct information upfront. By getting everything properly organised at the start, we avoid delays later in the project and ensure our designers, developers and strategists are up to speed to get started right away.
Inception meeting
During this session, we clearly define responsibilities between all parties, discuss best methods of communication, and agree on the frequency of check-ins. We also identify any times that project members might be unavailable and highlight potential risks to the project, so these can be mitigated early on. This ensures everyone is aligned from the start, reduces the chance of delays, and keeps the project on track throughout its lifecycle.
Research and discovery
Vision workshop
From there, we run a vision workshop where we discuss the bigger picture. This is where we define what success looks like for the new website, both in terms of design, functionality and the future.
Success plan
The outcome of these sessions is a success plan. This acts as our roadmap, allowing us to measure progress against the goals we set together with the client. With this in place, every decision made during the project is tied back to the objectives.
Strategy and user experience
Competitor analysis
We begin with competitor analysis to better understand the competition, digital space and identify opportunities. This allows us to position the website effectively within the market and inspire our team with ideas that work across the industry.
User personas and journeys
This step is optional, although we do recommend it. Those that choose us not to carry out this step still benefit from our knowledge web design team who have been part of many projects, big and small.
We create detailed user personas that represent the key audience segments, followed by mapping user journeys to plan how visitors interact with the website. This is crucial for any professional web design process, as it ensures the site is designed around user needs rather than assumptions by the agency.
Sitemap and wireframes
We then design a sitemap that provides structure and clarity. Once this framework is agreed, wireframes are created to show how content and functionality will be laid out before visual design begins.
Website design
Moodboards and creative workshop
The design stage starts with moodboards that capture the style, tone and visual direction. A creative workshop is a collaborative session that refines the ideas towards the desired approach. Brand guidelines are particularly useful here as it will allow our designers to get a head start.
Homepage and inner page designs
We start designing the homepage first to establish the look and feel, then move on to inner page designs to maintain a consistent user experience throughout the site. This ensures the visual identity is carried seamlessly across the entire website.
Design handover
When the full design is signed off, everything is carefully handed over to our development team, ensuring accuracy and continuity.
Development
Initial set up
During development, our technical team configures the servers, installs the WordPress content management system (CMS), and prepares the environment to ensure stability and security. This foundation allows the project to progress smoothly without unexpected technical roadblocks.
Page template and block development
Once the set-up is complete, we create reusable page templates and modular blocks. This modular approach makes the website flexible and scalable, giving the content admins the ability to easily add new pages or rearrange content without needing custom development each time.
Content input or migration
Content is a critical part of development. If the content is available before this step, we will handle content input, whether that is creating brand-new pages or migrating data from an existing site. Care is taken to maintain formatting, accessibility, and SEO metadata so the website performs well from launch. For clients undergoing a website redesign process, this step ensures nothing valuable is lost in the transition.
Quality assurance (QA)
Design checks
Our QA process begins with design checks, where we carefully compare every page to the approved visuals. This ensures layouts, typography, imagery and brand elements are perfectly consistent.
Technical checks
We then conduct technical testing, which includes performance optimisation, mobile responsiveness, security checks, and ensuring the website works across all modern browsers and devices. We also validate code quality to ensure long-term reliability.
Client checks
The final part of this phase involves the client. We provide a staging site where the client can explore the website in a live-like environment. Clients are encouraged to test, review and provide feedback until they’re confident that the site is ready for launch.
Website launch
Final sign off
Once QA is complete and the client is happy with the staging version, we carry out final approvals and prepare the website for launch.
Pre-launch checks
Before going live, our team runs a series of pre-launch checks. These include confirming redirects are in place, checking analytics tracking, testing contact forms, and verifying backups. The aim is to ensure nothing is missed at the critical moment.
Post-launch checks
After the site is live, we run another round of checks to confirm everything is performing as it should. We monitor the website hosting, speed and functionality during the first hours and days after launch to ensure a smooth rollout. For anyone wondering how to launch a website the right way, this thorough process provides the reassurance that every detail is covered.
Post-launch support
CMS training
Once the website is live, we deliver a CMS training session for the client and their team. This demonstration ensures everyone feels confident updating content, managing media, and keeping the site up to date.
Warranty period
Every project comes with a warranty period where we provide free support for any issues directly related to the build. This provides complete peace of mind during the transition phase.
Regular check-ins
Beyond the warranty, we remain a partner in success. We schedule regular check-ins to review performance, offer recommendations and keep the site aligned with the evolving business needs. This proactive support helps our clients get the most out of their investment.
Optional maintenance support
In addition to our standard post-launch support, we also offer optional website maintenance plans. These provide ongoing support hours that can be used for bug fixes, plugin updates, security patches and content updates. Having a maintenance plan in place means the website remains secure, up to date and performing at its best without putting extra pressure on internal teams.
Time for a new website?
If you would like to speak to us about your website or would like to know more information about our web design process, please get in touch and one of our team will get back to you.
