Stage one: the brief
Everything starts with what your business does, who buys from you and what the website must achieve. A good designer asks more questions in week one than they answer — be suspicious of one who doesn't. This is where scope, price and timeline get fixed in writing.
Stage two: design direction
You'll see a visual direction — usually the homepage first — before any build begins. This is the cheap moment to change your mind; say what you honestly think. 'I don't like it but I can't say why' is useful feedback; a good designer will probe it. (This direction-first approach is how our own web design projects run — you approve the look before anything gets built.)
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Stage three: the build
The approved design becomes real pages. You'll typically see a private preview link partway through. What you should be checking: does it read well on your phone, can you find everything in two clicks, does it feel like your business?
Stage four: content and review
Words and photos go in, then a structured review round — your chance to catch typos, wrong prices and anything that reads oddly. This stage causes most delays, and it's almost always content waiting on the business owner. Our guide on how long a website takes covers the honest timings.
Stage five: launch and after
Launch is a technical checklist: domain connected, redirects from old pages, analytics and Search Console set up, forms and phone numbers tested. After launch, expect a snagging period — small fixes as real visitors meet the site. Ask upfront what's included post-launch and what maintenance covers going forward.
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