What To Expect from the Website Design Process
If you’ve never worked with a designer before, the website process can feel a little mysterious. My goal is to make things simple, collaborative, and (dare I say) fun. Here’s exactly what it looks like to work with me from start to finish.
Initial Consultation & Client Profile
We’ll start with a casual consultation where I get to know you and your business. I’ll ask about your goals, audience, and marketing priorities so I can understand what really matters to you.
After that, I’ll ask you to complete my pre-project checklist. This document covers a lot — and I don’t expect you to have perfect answers for every bullet point. The purpose is to assess what you already have, what’s missing, and what we still need to build together.
Once I have that information, I’ll create your client profile, which acts as a roadmap for the entire project.
Contract & Payments
To keep everything clear and fair, I use a straightforward contract designed to protect both of us equally. I collect a 50% deposit upfront to secure your project, with the remaining balance due at launch.
Per the contract, all written email correspondence is considered an amendment to our agreement. This means that if something is important, the best way to document it is in writing. If something is discussed verbally on a phone call or Zoom and you’d like it formally included, follow up with an email. This practice helps keep expectations aligned, protects everyone involved, and is simply good business hygiene.
Brainstorming & Inspiration
This is where the fun begins. I’ll set up a shared Google Drive folder that we’ll use as our project hub. Photos, copy, inspiration, drafts — everything lives there.
You’re welcome to drop in reference sites, screenshots, mood boards, or anything else that helps communicate the look and feel you’re going for. Even if you can’t explain why you like something, that’s okay — part of my job is spotting the patterns for you.
Drafts & Production
This is where things start taking shape. During this phase, I’ll:
Domains: Help you purchase or transfer your domain, and guide you through transitions from other platforms (like WordPress) if needed.
Brand Assets: Gather logos, brand photography, and supporting visuals.
Colors & Fonts: Establish a color palette and confirm fonts that fit your brand.
Text Content: Collect and organize copy so everything is ready for design.
Once design begins, I’ll give you real-time access to the site, so you can check in on progress and see changes as they happen.
Design & Review
This is the collaborative, back-and-forth part of the process. I’ll build out your site and invite you to review it, share feedback, and request adjustments.
Standard turnaround time for revisions is 7–10 business days, though I’m often able to respond faster depending on my queue. We’ll repeat this cycle until everything feels aligned and complete.
Post-Production & Publishing
Before launch, we’ll both take time to review the site with fresh eyes. In some cases, we may also share a private preview link with trusted colleagues to gather additional feedback before going live.
Final Consult & Squarespace Lesson
Once everything is approved, we’ll launch your site. After that, I’ll walk you through a short, personalized tutorial based on your comfort level — whether that’s updating content, managing a blog, or making small edits on your own.
We’ll address any final questions and collect the remaining balance at this stage.
Follow-Up & SEO Support
My job doesn’t stop at launch. I monitor SEO performance for several months and make incremental adjustments to support long-term growth. I’m also always an email away if questions come up after the project wraps.
The Bottom Line
This process is collaborative, flexible, and designed to keep things clear at every step. I’ll guide you through the details, keep everything organized, and make sure your website truly reflects your brand. Clients often tell me they’re surprised by how smooth (and even enjoyable) the experience is — and that’s exactly the goal.
