Are you wanting to have a website built, but you’re not sure how the process works? Every web design agency does things a little differently, and it can certainly feel a little overwhelming to get started.
The goal of this guide is to demystify the process so you have a better understanding of what happens at each stage—and what’s expected of you along the way. When you know what’s coming, the entire experience becomes much smoother, better managed, and less stressful.
What Happens During a Website Consultation Call?
The process usually begins with a consultation call. In some cases, you may fill out a creative brief together. During this call, you will discuss the pages you want on the website and the overall structure of the site. You will also go over technical needs such as ecommerce, marketing integrations, SEO, and any other functionality your website may require. Another important part of this stage is defining responsibilities—specifically, who will handle copywriting and who will procure images. Getting clear on these details early helps the project run much more smoothly.
What Is Included in a Website Proposal and Agreement?
After the consultation, the agency will send you a proposal that outlines the scope of the project. This typically includes what is being built, what is included, and an overview of deliverables. If you decide to move forward, the agency will then send an agreement for signature. Regarding payment, many, or even most, agencies generally require a 50% payment upfront before work begins. This is standard practice that ensures project commitment on both sides.
The Project Timeline
Most agencies will give you at least a rough idea of when the work will start and how the project will progress. This helps set expectations around timing and delivery. In our process, we provide a timeline in a Google Doc that breaks down the different tasks in the project—hosting procurement, copywriting, image sourcing, the website build itself, revisions, etc. It also outlines when each task will be completed and who is responsible for each piece. This level of transparency helps keep everything organized and on track.
How Do You Choose a CMS For Your Website?
Back in the day, websites were built with manually written code. While some still are, nearly 70% of websites today are built using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, or Wix.
A CMS is software that allows you to create, edit, and manage a website without having to code everything manually. Some platforms are even as simple as drag-and-drop website builders. In 2026, WordPress still powers close to half of websites in the world, though other platforms continue to grow in popularity.
When building a website, your agency may give you a choice of CMS platforms, or you may already have a preferred system. When choosing the right CMS, it’s important to consider who will be managing the website after the build. If you plan to handle updates in-house, you’ll want to make sure the platform matches your technology comfort level, as some platforms are easier to use right out of the gate than others.
Who Writes the Copy and Provides Images for the Website?
You can’t have a website if it doesn’t have content. The question of who will write the copy is one you will decide with the agency. Agencies can handle copywriting for you, though this generally incurs an additional fee. Some clients choose to write their own copy to reduce costs, and that is a perfectly fine solution.
Often, if a client writes their own copy, the agency will edit and optimize it for SEO. One important thing to note is that if you are doing your own writing, it is critical to stay on schedule, or the entire project can get delayed.
In addition to copy, you also need images for your site. While a website can certainly be built using stock images, the ideal approach is to use as many firsthand photos of your business as possible. Real photos feel more trustworthy and personal, and website users can tell the difference. A good balance is to provide as many real photos as possible, and then have the agency source stock images where there are gaps.
Wireframes and Mockups in Web Design
Before actual website development begins, many agencies will first create wireframes and mockups. A wireframe is a very low-detail “blueprint” that lays out the placement of elements on a webpage. The purpose is to plan the structure and ensure a good user experience before the design even begins.
After the wireframe, a mockup is created. This is a more detailed visual representation of how the website will look, including layout, colors, typography, and other design details. A mockup is not a functioning webpage—it’s just a static image created in a graphic design program.
Wireframes and mockups are important because they provide the roadmap for development and allow both the agency and client to get aligned before any actual building begins. It is much faster and more cost-effective to make changes at this stage than once the website is already in development. Not every agency uses wireframes and mockups. Some may use one or the other, and for smaller or straightforward projects, some may skip them entirely and move directly into building.
Technical Components to Launch a Website: Domain and Hosting
To put a website onto the internet, a couple of key technical elements must be in place:
Domain: The domain is the URL or web address you choose for your website. More often than not, this is your business name, but if that is already taken, you may need to get creative. You can use a domain search tool, such as this one from GoDaddy, to check availability. Once selected, the domain must be purchased, typically on an annual contract.
Hosting: Web hosting is the space on the internet where your website files live. There is an actual server in a data center that stores your files and makes them available online. Many agencies offer hosting, while others will guide you through purchasing it yourself. There are pros and cons to both approaches, depending on how hands-on you want to be and how you plan to manage the site long-term. Check out our recent article, “What to Know Before Hiring a Web Design Agency,” to learn which structure is the best fit for you. Once the domain and hosting are set up, you will provide that information to the agency so they can begin connecting everything and getting your site online.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
After the mockup design has been approved, it’s time for website development. How long this takes depends on the complexity of the website. Factors include how many pages the site has, whether ecommerce is involved, whether there is any custom coding required, among other factors. A very basic website, for an average agency or freelancer’s schedule, may take around one to two weeks. However, there are no universal timelines, and every project is different.
Time for Revisions
After the first draft of the website is complete, you can expect the agency to send it to you for review. At this point, having already approved the mockup, the design shouldn’t come as a surprise. At this stage, you are no longer making big structural changes, but you are simply reviewing to make sure the agency accurately followed the plan. Here are some basics to look over:
- Is all of the copy correct?
- Are your images used in the correct places?
- Are the colors and fonts accurate to the mockup (consistent with your brand)?
- Does the messaging match your brand and goals?
- Is the navigation clear and intuitive?
- Are there sufficient CTAs (calls-to-action) to move users toward your desired goal?
- Are links, buttons, and forms working properly?
- Has some basic SEO work been completed?
Depending on your agreement, you may have one or two rounds of revisions. The agency will have outlined to you what types of revisions are included and what revisions may require an additional design fee. Once this back-and-forth is complete, voilà! You’ve got yourself a website.
Site Presentation and Education Call
Regardless of who ultimately manages your website, it’s a good idea to go over the basics of how it works before the project wraps up. This includes understanding your login information, where to access the site, how to make basic content edits, and how to view performance metrics. Even if you do not plan to manage the website yourself, having a foundational understanding of how everything works will give you more confidence and control moving forward.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, building a website is not just about throwing a design up on the internet—it’s a collaborative process that moves through a structured set of steps. Once everything is complete, you don’t just end up with a website—you end up with a tool that represents your business and supports your goals moving forward. And, of course, if you’re needing a business website, we’d love to help.