Your Website Building Process: A Clear Path to Your Perfect Website
Getting a new website can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve created a straightforward, milestone-based process that keeps you informed and in control every step of the way. Here’s exactly what to expect when we work together.
Why My Process Works
After designing hundreds (probably thousands at this point) of websites, I’ve learned that the best results come from a structured approach with clear checkpoints. My 4-milestone system ensures we’re always aligned on direction, budget, and timeline. No surprises, no scope creep, just a smooth path to your perfect website.
The 4-Milestone Journey
Milestone 1: The Mini Round (40% payment)
What happens: I create your homepage design showcasing all the core elements; your main menu, footer, color scheme, fonts, and overall visual direction. This single page sets the foundation for your entire website.
Why this matters: Before we build out all your pages, we need to make sure you love the look and feel. This focused approach lets you see exactly how your brand will come to life online without getting overwhelmed by content details.
Your role: Review the homepage design and provide feedback. This is your chance to request any changes to colors, fonts, layout, or overall style before we move forward.
What’s next: Once you approve the design direction, I’ll send the next milestone invoice (30%) and we’ll move to the Full Round.
Milestone 2: The Full Round (30% payment)
What happens: Now I build out all your pages with complete content, functionality, and design elements. You’ll see your entire website come together – every page, every section, every detail.
Why this matters: This is where your website truly takes shape. You can see how visitors will navigate through your site, how your content flows, and how everything works together to achieve your business goals.
Your role: Test everything thoroughly. Click all the links, read through the content, check how it looks on your phone. This is the time for content changes, new photos, or functionality adjustments.
What’s next: After your feedback and my revisions, I’ll send the next milestone invoice (20%) and we’ll move to the Final Round.
Milestone 3: The Final Round (20% payment)
What happens: I implement all your feedback from the Full Round and polish every detail. Then I run comprehensive Quality Assurance testing – checking SEO optimization, image compression, link functionality, mobile responsiveness, and loading speeds.
Why this matters: This is where good websites become great websites. The QA process ensures everything works perfectly and your site is optimized for both users and search engines.
Your role: Final review and approval. At this point, we’re fine-tuning details rather than making major changes.
What’s next: Once approved, we’re ready for launch! No additional payment for this milestone.
Milestone 4: Launch Day (10% final payment)
What happens: I perform final pre-launch testing, configure all technical settings, and make your website live. If we built on a temporary domain, I’ll migrate everything to your final URL seamlessly.
Why this matters: Launch day is exciting, but it requires careful attention to technical details. I handle all the behind-the-scenes work so your website goes live smoothly.
Your role: Celebrate! Your new website is live and ready to work for your business.
What’s next: We’ll discuss ongoing maintenance options to keep your website secure, updated, and performing at its best.
What Makes This Process Different
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Clear expectations: You know exactly what happens at each stage and what's expected from both of us. -
Controlled budget: With milestone payments tied to specific deliverables, you're never surprised by costs.
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Quality assurance: Built-in QA testing ensures your website works perfectly from day one.
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Your input matters: Multiple review points mean your feedback shapes the final result.
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No rush: Each milestone has proper time for review and revisions.
Post-Launch: Keeping Your Website Strong
Once your website is live, I offer comprehensive maintenance plans to keep it running smoothly. From simple security updates to full-service retainer agreements, I’ll help you maintain the investment we’ve built together.
Questions? I’m Here to Help
This process has been refined through hundreds of successful projects. Every step is designed to give you confidence and clarity while creating a website that truly works for your business.
Ready to get started? The first step is completing my discovery questionnaire so I can understand your specific needs and goals.
Still have questions about the process? Check out my FAQ page or feel free to reach out directly.