Website Project Process

1. Alignment & Kick-Off

Setting the direction, confirming the scope, and getting everything moving.

✅ Complete our onboarding form
✅ Join a 60–90 min kick-off call with key stakeholders
✅ Review goals and check the original proposal still fits
✅ Identify any scope changes early so we can revise if needed
✅ Start gathering useful content (testimonials, case studies, etc)

🚩 Red flag radar: unclear responsibilities, surprise stakeholders, or shifting goals — we surface it now to keep the project smooth.

🤝 What we need from you: Come prepared with any existing brand materials, clear goals, and key contacts so we can start strong.

2. Research & Design

We define the structure, shape the user journey, and begin design. This stage typically takes 4–5 weeks, depending on response times.

✅ Present sitemap (e.g. Octopus.do) and homepage concept
✅ Meeting to review and agree on direction before designing more pages
✅ Design key pages (e.g. blog, team, product, event templates)
✅ Feedback expected within a week to keep schedule on track
✅ One final design review meeting before development starts
✅ Invoice #2 (25%) triggered at design sign-off

🤝 What we need from you: Provide feedback on drafts and approve design directions promptly to keep things moving.

3. Creative Delivery (Build Phase)

We bring the site to life — mobile-first, standards-compliant, and easy to manage. Clients often use this time to finalise testimonials, case studies, team bios, and other page content.

✅ Build starts after design sign-off
✅ Site is built on a private staging link (e.g. clientname.rubberduckers.site)
✅ You can preview, test, and (once trained) log in to add/edit content
✅ Ongoing content gathering continues in parallel — we’ll remind you
✅ Progress updates shared throughout development

🤝 What we need from you: Supply any remaining content, respond to queries quickly, and test features on your end if requested.

4. Handover & Training

We show you how everything works and prep the site for go-live.

✅ 60–90 min recorded training session (can be for multiple people)
✅ You add and refine your content with confidence
✅ Final tweaks and checks made on staging
✅ Domain access confirmed for DNS updates
✅ Migration from staging to live server
✅ Final launch checklist: test forms, links, performance, integrations
✅ Fixes handled post-launch; new items move into care plan or ad hoc

🤝 What we need from you: Attend training sessions, review documentation, and ask questions to feel fully empowered.

Timeline Overview

Most sites are delivered in 12–16 weeks:

• Week 1: Kick-off
• Weeks 2–5: Sitemap & design
• Weeks 6–14: Build
• Weeks 15–16: Handover & launch

What Happens After Launch?

We allow for a short “snag list” period after launch to tidy up anything urgent. After that, you’re covered by your care plan (or can use ad hoc support as needed).

Need a Hand with Copy?

Content slows down most projects — we offer three routes:

• Client-led: Free but time-consuming
• AI-guided: Fast, collaborative, and budget-friendly (we draft, you tweak)
• Pro Copywriter: Best quality, best result, higher cost (3–5k range)

We’ll help you choose the best option in The Discovery Call. Find out more in our Copywriting Guide.