A guided process from first enquiry to launch
Every website project is a little different, but most follow the same broad path: discovery, proposal, design, build, review, launch and support.
My aim is to make the process feel organised, understandable and much less stressful, especially if you have not been through a website project before.
This process helps us:
- Clarify what your website needs to achieve
- Agree on the right scope before work begins
- Keep feedback and decisions manageable
- Build the website in sensible stages
- Launch with confidence
Step by step
The website design process
Here’s a high-level overview of how a typical Web Matters website project works.
1. Discover & Brief
I start by asking questions about your business, your existing website if you have one, your goals, your audience and what you want the new website to achieve.
2. Proposal or Package
Once I understand the project, I’ll recommend whether one of my website packages is a good fit or whether you need a custom website proposal and quote.
3. Design the Look
Once I have enough information and content, I create the website design direction, usually starting with the homepage layout and overall visual style.
4. Develop & Build
I turn the design direction into a working website, build the key layouts, add content and prepare the site for your review.
5. Review & Sign Off
You review the website, provide feedback, and once the agreed work is complete, you sign off the site ready for launch.
6. Launch & Support
Once everything is ready, I make the website live under your domain name and provide training, handover notes or ongoing support as needed.
Before we start
Good preparation makes the project easier
The smoother website projects are usually the ones where the goals, content and decision-making process are reasonably clear from the beginning.
You do not need everything perfectly prepared before getting in touch, but it helps to have a good idea of what you need and who will be involved in making decisions.
Helpful things to prepare:
- Your main website goals
- Examples of websites you like or dislike
- Your logo, brand colours and images
- Draft website content if available
- A list of required pages
- Any must-have features or integrations
Working together
What I need from you during the project
A website project is collaborative. I guide the process and do the website work, but I still need your input at key points.
Information
You know your business best. I’ll need your help understanding your services, clients, goals and priorities.
Content and images
Depending on the project, you may need to provide written content, photos, logos, documents or product information.
Feedback and decisions
Timely feedback helps keep the project moving and avoids delays, especially during design review and pre-launch checks.
After launch
Your website still needs attention after it goes live
Launching the website is not the end of the story. Most websites need ongoing updates, backups, security monitoring, content changes and occasional improvements.
After launch, I can provide training so you can update the website yourself, or ongoing support through a WordPress care plan.
After launch options:
Next steps
Useful pages to visit next
Who I Work With
Find out whether Web Matters is likely to be a good fit for your project.
Who I work with →Design Philosophy
Learn more about the design principles that guide my website work.
Read design philosophy →Website Pricing
See how I charge for website design, support, training and care plans.
View pricing →Ready to talk about your website?
If you’re thinking about a new website or redesign, book a Zoom call and we can talk through what you need.
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