Most "stages of website design" articles online are abstract textbook descriptions written by people who have never run a real client project. This one isn't. This is exactly how a website build runs at our Newton Abbot agency, with realistic timelines, what we need from you at each stage, and what you can expect to see by the end.
Stage 1: Brief and discovery (week 1)
We start with a conversation — either at our Newton Abbot office, on Zoom, or over the phone. We work out what your business actually does, who your customers are, what the site has to achieve, and what success looks like in twelve months. For a typical Devon small business this takes 60–90 minutes.
What we need from you: time on the call, plus a rough idea of three or four sites you like (and ideally three or four you don't) so we understand your taste.
We are ready to talk things through!
Contact HereWhat you get: a written brief and a fixed quote.
Stage 2: Sitemap and information architecture (week 1)
Before any design happens, we agree the page structure. Homepage, services, about, contact, blog — what else? For a TQ12 plumber this might be ten pages; for a Torquay B&B it might be twenty.
What we need: an hour of feedback on the proposed sitemap.
What you get: a one-page sitemap document.
Stage 3: Visual design (weeks 2–3)
We build a homepage and one inner page in Divi 5 on a staging URL. Real working pages on real WordPress, not flat mockups in Figma. You see exactly what your site will look and feel like, on desktop and mobile, before we extend the design across the rest.
What we need: two rounds of considered feedback. Look at the staging site on a phone, on a desktop, on a tablet if you have one.
What you get: approved homepage and inner page design.
Stage 4: Content and full build (weeks 3–5)
We extend the design across all the pages, write or load the content, set up forms, configure SEO-Press, and wire up Google Analytics 4. If you are providing copy, this is when we need it. If we are writing it, we draft it now.
What we need: photos of your team, your premises, your work; copy for any sections we are not writing.
What you get: a working site on staging, ready for review.
Stage 5: Testing (week 5–6)
Before launch we test on Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge, on iPhone and Android, on slow 4G and on broadband. We check forms, payments if applicable, and load speed. We aim for a 95+ Google PageSpeed score on mobile.
What we need: any final content or photo updates.
What you get: a tested, ready-to-launch site.
Stage 6: Launch (week 6)
We point your domain at our hosting (London or Dallas, your choice), update DNS, install the SSL certificate, and verify the site is live and working. Search Console submission and Google Analytics tracking go live the same day.
What we need: access to your DNS provider — usually we walk you through this on a screen-share.
What you get: a live site on your domain.
Stage 7: Training and handover (week 6)
We run a one-hour training session showing you how to do the things you'll need to do — update text, add a blog post, swap a photo, check form submissions. We record it so you can rewatch.
What you get: the keys to your site, plus written notes.
After launch
Two paths: pay-as-you-go support, or the £300/month retainer that covers hosting, plugin updates, security, content tweaks and ongoing local SEO.
FAQ
How long does a starter site take? Six weeks from brief to launch is typical. Bigger builds run eight to twelve weeks.
What does it cost? Starter sites from £250. Larger projects quote-only.
Call or WhatsApp 07887 988780 to start the brief.