In today’s digital-first world, your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A professionally designed website doesn’t just look good—it strategically positions your brand, generates leads, and drives conversions. At Backhouse Media, we’ve spent over 15 years perfecting our website design process to deliver results for our clients.
But what exactly happens during the website design process? And more importantly, how can you as a client contribute to making it successful? Let’s dive in.
The Typical Website Design Process
1. Discovery and Planning Phase
Every successful website begins with thorough planning. During this initial phase, we’ll discuss your business goals, target audience, and what you want your website to achieve. This conversation helps us understand the scope of the project and create a strategic roadmap for your site.
2. Homepage Design Draft
The homepage is the cornerstone of your website—it sets the tone for your entire online presence. We start by developing a homepage design draft that incorporates your brand elements while optimizing for user experience and conversions. This critical step establishes the visual language and structure that will guide the rest of the site.
3. Client Feedback and Revisions
Your input at this stage is invaluable. We’ll present the homepage design and collaborate with you to refine it until it perfectly captures your vision. Timely, specific feedback during this phase keeps the project moving forward efficiently.
4. Subpage Design Development
Once the homepage design is approved, we move on to designing subpages. This process typically moves faster since we’re building on the established design framework. Each page is thoughtfully crafted to maintain design consistency while serving its unique purpose within your site.
5. Development and Coding
After all designs are approved, our development team brings them to life on our secure development server. This is where the technical magic happens—transforming static designs into a fully functional, responsive website.
6. Testing and Quality Assurance
Before launch, we thoroughly test your website across different devices and browsers to ensure everything works flawlessly. We’ll invite you to review the site in this pre-launch environment so you can experience it exactly as your customers will.
7. Launch and Post-Launch Support
Finally, we coordinate with you to select the optimal launch date and time. Once your site goes live, we provide support to address any issues that might arise and ensure a smooth transition.
The Client’s Critical Role in Website Success
The quality of your website isn’t solely determined by your web design agency—you play a crucial role too. Here’s how you can ensure your project stays on track and exceeds expectations:
Provide High-Quality Content and Assets
One of the most frequently overlooked aspects of website development is the content. Your website needs compelling copy, high-resolution images, and properly formatted materials to shine. Before the project begins, prepare:
- Professional copywriting for all pages
- High-resolution images (1920px wide minimum for full-width images)
- Vector logo files (.ai, .eps, or .svg format) for crisp display at any size
- Brand guidelines including colors (HEX or RGB values) and fonts
Missing or delayed content is the number one cause of project delays. Having these materials ready before we begin design can significantly speed up the process.
Respond Promptly to Design Drafts
When we send design drafts for your review, timely feedback is essential. Each day of delay in receiving your input pushes the final launch date further back. We recommend:
- Setting aside dedicated time to review designs thoroughly
- Consolidating feedback from all stakeholders into a single, comprehensive response
- Being specific about requested changes rather than giving vague direction
- Limiting the number of revision rounds by being thorough in each review
Remember that each major revision adds time to the project timeline. By providing clear, consolidated feedback, you help us maintain momentum and efficiency.
Understand the Impact of Mid-Project Changes
Making significant changes after a design has been approved and moved to development can substantially impact both timeline and budget. Here’s why:
What might seem like a “small change” to a layperson often requires extensive reworking behind the scenes. For example, changing the layout of a page after it’s been coded might require:
- Redesigning the page structure
- Rewriting CSS styles
- Adjusting responsive breakpoints for mobile compatibility
- Retesting across multiple browsers and devices
These late-stage changes can easily double the work required for that section of the site, leading to increased costs and delayed launch dates.
Commit to the Established Timeline
A successful website project requires commitment from both parties. When we establish deadlines for feedback, content submission, or approvals, meeting these deadlines keeps the project on track for the targeted launch date.
If your internal team needs time to gather materials or make decisions, communicate this upfront so we can build it into the project timeline. Transparency about potential delays helps us manage resources effectively and minimize disruption.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
The “I’ll Know It When I See It” Approach
Without clear direction from the beginning, the design process can become a costly game of trial and error. Before starting your project, invest time in:
- Identifying websites you admire (and specifically what you like about them)
- Creating a mood board of design elements that resonate with your brand
- Defining clear objectives for what your website should accomplish
This preparation gives our designers concrete direction and reduces the need for major revisions later.
Expanding Scope Mid-Project
It’s common for clients to discover additional features they want as the project progresses. While we’re always open to discussing these additions, it’s important to understand that they may require:
- Additional design time
- Extra development hours
- Extended timeline to completion
- Adjusted project costs
We recommend creating a “Phase 2” list for features that aren’t essential for initial launch. This approach allows you to get your primary website up and running quickly, then add enhancements in a planned, strategic manner.
Neglecting Mobile Optimization
With mobile traffic now exceeding desktop for many websites, mobile optimization isn’t optional—it’s essential. Each design decision must consider how it will translate to smaller screens. Trust our expertise when we make recommendations based on mobile usability, as these insights come from years of experience and data.
Why Professional Web Design Matters
You might wonder why professional web design commands a higher investment than DIY website builders. The answer lies in results. While platforms like Wix or Squarespace offer tempting monthly fees, they come with significant limitations:
- Template-based designs that look generic and lack distinction
- Poor SEO performance due to bloated code and limited customization
- Restricted functionality that can’t grow with your business
- Permanent dependency on the platform—they own your website, not you
A professionally designed website is built with your specific business goals in mind. It’s optimized for search engines from the ground up, engineered for conversions, and created to stand out from your competition.
Your Next Steps
Ready to start your website project? Here’s how to prepare:
- Gather your existing brand materials (logo, colors, fonts)
- Begin drafting content for key pages or consider professional copywriting
- Collect examples of websites you admire
- Define your primary goals for the new website
- Request a quote to discuss your project with our team
By understanding the website design process and your role within it, you’re already taking the first step toward a successful project. We look forward to creating a website that doesn’t just look impressive—it delivers measurable results for your business.
Backhouse Media has been creating custom websites for businesses in Los Angeles and beyond for over 15 years. Our team of experts specializes in crafting high-performance websites that captivate visitors and convert them into customers. Contact us today to discuss how we can transform your online presence.