Behind the Scenes of My Website Design Process (And Why the “Homework” Matters)
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to go through my website design process, this is for you.
Because from the outside, it can look like the process is mostly design.
✔ Picking colors
✔ Choosing fonts
✔ Making things look good
But the truth is, the part that actually makes your website bring in revenue for your business starts way before any design work begins.
And yes… it’s the part most people are tempted to rush through.
The “homework.”
Let’s get into it.
Most Websites Start as DIY (And That’s Okay)
Most of my clients DIY their website when they first start their business, and honestly, I love that for them.
It's fast. It's affordable. It gives you the chance to get really clear on what you do and who you do it for. But at some point, that DIY website stops working.
It’s not bringing in inquiries. It’s not reflecting the level you’ve grown to, and it’s definitely not guiding people to take action.
I find that most people inquire with me when their website problems feel urgent. It’s like they woke up one day and they realized their website was just an online business card instead of a sales tool. And that needed to be fixed ASAP (which is the form response I get 95% of the time when I ask about project timeline).
My Website Design Process Starts From Scratch
When clients come to me, we’re not tweaking what’s already there. I build every website custom to their business from scratch.
Because in my experience, trying to fix a DIY site usually ends up feeling like we just put a Band-Aid on something that needed a full transformation.
I didn’t just come up with this strategy on my own, either. For years, I worked in corporate marketing, supporting a construction company that brought in over $250M in revenue each year. There were no pretty business card websites allowed. My job depended on me moving people (people investing $20-100M in a commercial property) into action.
I use that same expertise to help my clients understand how to move their prospects to action, too.
Everything Starts With Clarity
Before anything gets designed, we need to get clear on a few things, like:
What you actually do
Who you’re helping
And what you want someone to do when they land on your site
Because without that clarity, even the best design won’t convert.
The Most Important Part of My Website Design Process (The “Homework” Phase)
Okay, now onto this “homework” thing I keep talking about…
It can feel like a lot of work, but after designing 30+ Signature Sites, I've refined this part of my website design process to feel really structured and manageable.
And the best part is that it’s where my clients say their transformation actually comes from. Not the pretty end result.
Inside this phase, we focus on:
Your messaging
Your offers
Your goals
This is what gives your website direction. Without it, you end up with a site that looks good, but doesn’t really do anything.
This is what I find: most people who DIY their website never did at the beginning. They trusted the template's structure. They filled in the blanks with copy and called it a day then wondered why it wasn’t working for their goals.
Because the template maker didn’t know their goals.
What You Get Access To During the Website Design Process
You’re not figuring any of this out on your own.
Every client gets access to a portal that keeps everything organized in one place.
So What Does That Actually Look Like?
Inside the portal, you’ll find:
A communication space where we can chat
File uploads for things like your logo, fonts, and photos
Onboarding questionnaires
A website strategy document
A website copy template
And tasks assigned to you with due dates to keep you accountable and on track
You’re never left wondering what to do next. Everything is laid out step by step, so the process feels clear and easy to move through.
Website Copy Is a Big Part of the Process
For a lot of my clients, this is their first real investment into their website, which usually means they’re writing their own copy. And it can feel like a big task.
But With The Signature Site You’re Not Starting From Scratch
The pressure of staring at a blank page is too much for me to handle, which is why I provide a proven website copy template, licensed from Sara Noel at Between the Lines Copy.
It walks you through each section of your site, step by step.
What to include
What to say
How to say it
So instead of guessing, you have a clear starting point and a way to actually get it done.
What to Gather Before Your Website Design Process Begins
Before we kick things off, there are a few things you’ll want to have ready.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Brand assets (logos fonts, colors)
Photos (brand photos, stock images, etc.)
Website copy
Offer details
Testimonials (if available)
Having this ready ahead of time makes a big difference. It allows us to move faster (around here, websites are built in 10 business days), make stronger decisions, and create a website that actually reflects where your business is headed.
The Strategy Call (Where Your Website Starts to Come Together)
One thing that surprises people is that all of this is due before our kickoff call.
I have clients submit everything a few days in advance, so I have time to go through it, review everything in depth, and come into our call fully prepared (with clarifying questions - because I’ll be asking questions).
This call is a pivotal point in the process. Unfortunately, I cannot read minds, so the more aligned we can be on this call, the better the final result will be.
On our 60-minute Strategy Call we will:
We align on the look and feel of the website
Do some competitor analysis
We map out your customer journey
And most importantly, make sure your offer is clear to someone outside of your jar
Why This Step Matters
This work is what helps your website turn visitors into inquiries.
And just as importantly, it’s what helps you feel confident and excited to share your website when it’s done.
Why This Website Design Process Works
At the end of the day, the “homework” isn’t just extra work. It’s the foundation that everything sits on.
Your website is only as good as your prework.
If you’re realizing your website isn’t as clear as it could be, that’s exactly where this process comes in.
The best place to start is with a free discovery call. We’ll look at your current website, talk through what’s not working, and map out what it could look like with the right strategy in place.
CLICK HERE to book your free discovery call and let’s take your website from just “looking nice” to actually booking clients!
