What is the typical design process for a business website?
Whether you’re a business owner or marketing professional, here’s a step-by-step look at the web design process we follow to ensure the best possible outcome.
As you’ll see, there’s a lot that happens in the planning stages before we even think about design or development and that groundwork makes all the difference.
User research comes first. We begin by understanding the people who will use the site — their needs, behaviours, and goals. This might involve stakeholder interviews, user surveys, or reviewing analytics from an existing site. These insights help us create user personas and map out key journeys, ensuring every design decision is grounded in real-world context.
- Site Map and Architecture (User Journeys)
Before a single pixel is designed, we begin with structure. A clear site map – outlining pages, their hierarchy, and how users will move between them – is the foundation of a successful website. Good architecture supports both usability and SEO, making it easier for search engines (and people) to find what they need.
When we plan user journeys and the different types of audience, we think carefully about the experience from start to finish: from where someone lands on the site, to where we want them to end up. A well-considered path means fewer frustrations and more conversions.
- Wireframes and Prototypes
Jumping into design too early is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Wireframes strip away the distraction of colour, imagery, and style to focus purely on functionality and flow. Creating simple prototypes allows us to ‘test drive’ their site before it’s built. This ensures the structure feels right and that navigation is intuitive for the type of users it is intended for. Learn more about the benefits of wireframes.
- Content and Brand Assets
Well-written copy is essential to a successful website. It’s not just about filling space – it’s about clearly communicating your brand’s unique selling proposition (USP) and the benefits you offer to your users. Within just a few seconds of landing on your site, visitors should understand who you are, what you do, and why it matters to them. We work with clients to refine this messaging so it’s crystal clear and compelling from the very first impression. Also, gathering, writing, and organising website copy is often the biggest challenge for clients, so we help wherever we can.
Photography deserves a special mention. High-quality, authentic images can elevate a site, making it engaging and memorable. Stock photos have their place, but bespoke photography that reflects your brand is always more powerful.
At this stage, it’s essential to have your brand identity in place: fonts, colours, logos, and tone of voice. A website without a clear identity risks looking generic and confusing; it should closely follow your brand identity so is recognisable to your audience.
Organising content and brand assets early on streamlines the entire design and development process, making each stage more efficient and cohesive.
- Choosing the Right Platform
Not all websites are built the same way and the right platform depends on your purpose, budget, and long-term needs. An effective yet simple brochure site may be best suited to Squarespace, while a busy e-commerce shop might need WordPress and WooCommerce. For larger corporate or enterprise-level businesses and web applications, something like Umbraco could be more appropriate.
It’s worth taking the time to match the platform to your goals. You can read more about this in our blog how to choose the right content management system.
- Getting the Brief Right
A solid brief is the backbone of a successful project. That means truly understanding what the client wants – and sometimes helping them figure that out. We explore examples, look at competitors, and ask questions that dig beneath the surface. The aim is to get under the skin of the requirements so we have a really clear direction from the outset.
Once the brief is defined, we always try to exceed expectations rather than just meet them.
- Design and Build
Now comes the part many people get excited about: design. But it’s about far more than looking good. Navigation is critical, and every signpost – from menu labels to icons – needs to guide users effortlessly.
Usability should always come before effects or animation for the sake of it. Is the site fast? Is it mobile-friendly? Does the layout make sense? Is it accessible? We ensure clients are happy early in the design phase, sharing mock-ups and involving stakeholders so there are no nasty surprises later.
- Test, Test, Test
Testing is where we earn our keep. And it’s not a quick job. Every device, every screen size, and every browser can present a challenge. We use real devices, inspect mode, and simulators to check performance as widely as possible.
Functionality, speed, accessibility, security and consistency all get examined. Testing until you’re sore from checking is the only way to ensure quality.
- Deployment and Hosting
Launching a website is never as simple as pressing a button. Setting expectations with clients is important because something almost always needs adjusting post-launch. Cheap hosting may look tempting, but in reality, it can cost you 100 times more in downtime, support, and lost opportunities.
A reliable hosting environment with hosting maintenance for regular backups and security monitoring are essential for peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Web Design Process
We get asked a lot of questions when people are thinking about a new website, and rightly so. It’s a big investment of time and money, and most business owners only go through the process every few years. Here are some of the most common things we’re asked (and the answers we’ve learnt over 25+ years of doing this).
How long does a website project usually take?
Timelines vary depending on complexity, but a standard business website often takes between 6 -12 weeks. This includes planning, design, content gathering, development, and testing.
Do I really need a sitemap and wireframes?
Yes. A sitemap defines the structure and user journeys, while wireframes act as a blueprint before design begins. Skipping these steps often leads to wasted time and confusion later.
Which platform is best for my website?
It depends on your goals and budget. WordPress is flexible and scalable, Shopify is great for e-commerce, and Wix or Squarespace can suit smaller businesses with limited budgets.
How much does a website cost?
There’s no one-size-fits-all price. Costs depend on scope, functionality, design, and ongoing support and typically range from £2,000 to £20,000. Think of it as an investment – cutting corners now (e.g. with cheap hosting) can cost far more later.
What content do I need to provide?
Good content and strong brand guidelines, with an up-to-date logo, are the lifeblood of a successful site. Agencies will guide you, but having brand assets, photography, and well-structured copy ready early on speeds up the process dramatically.
How do I make sure my new website performs well?
User experience (UX), speed, mobile optimisation, and SEO are all key. Simple navigation, clear signposts, strong calls to action, and good-quality images help convert visitors into customers.
What happens before launch?
Testing. Then more testing. Real devices, different browsers, and simulated environments all need to be checked. Expect a few hiccups, but a thorough pre-launch process avoids major surprises.
What support will I need after launch?
Websites aren’t “set and forget.” Regular updates, security checks, and performance monitoring are vital. Many businesses choose a maintenance retainer so their site stays safe, fast, and effective.
Final Thoughts
A well-designed website is the sum of many moving parts: strategy, structure, content, brand, platform, design, testing, and deployment. Each step builds on the last, and skipping any of them usually leads to problems further down the line.
We’ve learnt that the most successful sites are those where business owners and marketing teams are fully engaged in the process. Designing a website that works brilliantly for both a business and its customers doesn’t happen by accident. With clear collaboration, careful planning, and a focus on user experience, your website can do far more than just look good – it can help you grow.