our web design
ROAD MAP
Every project is a little different, so be sure to check your scope of work for the final project inclusions, but below is a typical web design project roadmap.
PLANNING • DESIGN • WRAP UP
Phase 1: Planning & Prep
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Creative Brief​
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An online form interview to fully understand and clarify your target audience, value proposition, and brand messaging​
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Sitemap
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Decide on the site's table of contents: What pages go where and what general content we'll plan for each page.
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Storybranding™ (optional add-on)
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An in-depth 7-part process to develop and clarify your brand's messaging so that the narrative found on your website will resonate with your audience, earn their trust, and optimize your sales funnel.
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Text content strategy and copywriting
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We'll guide you as you write a first draft of all the text to go on all pages. This might include descriptions of your products, services, process, a portfolio of past work, client reviews, contact info, company policies, blog posts, or product details (title, description, price, etc).
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Optional add-on: CMGD may also offer copywriting services to rework the drafted text so that it sounds great, aligns with your brand objectives, conveys your storybrand, maintains a consistent and intentional tone, and more seamlessly reinforces our strategic sales funnel.
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Gather media content
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We'll take inventory of any photos, videos, or brand assets (like a logo) you may already have.​
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If necessary, we'll work with you to commission a photo shoot or video shoot of your products, services, or staff. CMGD is available to subcontract this step.
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Original photos and video of your specific products or staff are not included in the standard cost of a website. But CMGD does provide stock images and video and we've found that 80% of cases are best served using only stock media.
Phase 2: Design & Build Out
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Mood board(s)
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Based on our prep work done to fully understand your audience and brand messaging​, we'll begin to get our feet wet with an initial look and feel. Depending on the scope of your unique project, we may produce 1 or several moods boards. A mood board allows us to quickly curate a collection of images that inspires and captures a certain aesthetic direction. See mood board examples▸
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​Style Tile(s) (Optional add-on)
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Depending on the scope of your unique project, as well as your feedback to the mood board(s), we may either move on to 1 or a few style tiles, or just go straight to designing the homepage. A style tile provides a more definitive direction than a mood board and acts as the blueprint for the exact fonts, colors, icons, and style of the website. See style tile examplesâ–¸
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Homepage
- ​​After approval on a single mood board or style tile, we'll get a chance to see all our conceptual work play out in a real world context. We'll apply our approved style direction to our written homepage content, creating the very first webpage of the website.
- ​​After approval on a single mood board or style tile, we'll get a chance to see all our conceptual work play out in a real world context. We'll apply our approved style direction to our written homepage content, creating the very first webpage of the website.
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Remaining Pages
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After the homepage is approved, all subsequent pages are then designed to match using the text content previously drafted. ​
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Mobile Site Optimization
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After all pages are 100% approved, we'll design the mobile version. Your website will look great whether it's viewed on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone.
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Phase 3: Wrap Up
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SEO Setup
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We'll index your website on Google, add relevant metadata to each page so it's content is more easily discoverable on all search engines, and set up a handful of strategic keywords so you're ready to be found online.
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Behind the Scenes Setup
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Ensure all required technical ​configurations are in place: Your domain is connected, you have a premium Wix subscription, your blog authors are registered and trained, your payment methods are connected and ready to receive payment, etc.
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Testing
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All text proofread, hyperlinks checked, contact forms tested, and purchase process tested.
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Training & Handoff
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We empower our clients to feel comfortable with and take ownership over their new Wix site. You'll receive training on how to access and manage their new Wix site anytime.​
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You'll even have access to a whole bundle of super handy business tools like in-depth sales data, visitor analytics, and dedicated CRM (customer relationship management) tools.
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Congratulations! You're now the owner of a stunning new website!