At a Glance
- Estimate & Questions – Clarifying goals and confirming scope.
- Kickoff & Access – Setting up communication and securing what’s needed to start.
- Build & Reviews – Creating and refining the core product.
- Content Load – Filling in text, images, and resources.
- Final QA – Testing everything works properly.
- Launch & Support – Taking the project live and supporting you afterward.
Each phase has its own “what we do,” “what you do,” and “what comes out of it.” Let’s dive in.
Estimate & Questions
What We Do:
We start by reviewing your request, goals, and any details you’ve provided. We outline the scope of work, highlight assumptions, and flag any open questions. Our goal is to be sure we’re aligned before work begins.
What You Do:
You share context, examples, and answers to our initial questions. This is the time to clarify priorities and confirm must-have versus nice-to-have features.
Typical Outputs:
- A clear estimate (see also Fast Quote Guide)
- A shared understanding of scope and success criteria
- Documented questions and answers for future reference
Kickoff & Access
What We Do:
Once you give the go-ahead, we schedule a kickoff conversation. We set up communication channels, introduce the team, and outline what’s next. We also confirm timelines and what access we’ll need from you.
What You Do:
Provide access credentials, brand materials, and any existing assets. This might include hosting details, content libraries, or style references. If you have a preferred point of contact on your side, let us know now.
Typical Outputs:
- Kickoff notes and shared project space
- Access log (what’s provided, what’s pending)
- Alignment on communication flow
Build & Reviews
What We Do:
This is where we create the foundation—designs, structure, and core functionality. We work in iterations, sharing previews for you to review. Internal checks ensure that what we’re building matches the agreed scope.
What You Do:
Review shared previews carefully and provide timely feedback. Focus on whether what you see matches your goals and content needs, rather than small details that might be polished later.
Typical Outputs:
- Working drafts or prototypes
- Review notes and responses
- Adjusted builds after each review cycle
- (Related resource: Design Handoff Checklist)
Content Load
What We Do:
With the structure in place, we help load your content into the system. This may include text, images, downloads, or other resources. We check formatting and presentation for consistency.
What You Do:
Provide finalized content in an organized manner. Draft content, placeholders, or scattered files slow things down, so the closer it is to finished, the faster this step goes.
Typical Outputs:
- Content-ready pages
- A list of any missing or placeholder items
- Confirmation of overall content flow
Final QA
What We Do:
We test everything—links, forms, navigation, display on different devices, and more. Our goal is to ensure the project is stable, consistent, and ready for real users.
What You Do:
Test from your perspective. Try using the site or system the way your audience would. Note anything that feels off or unexpected.
Typical Outputs:
- QA checklist results (see QA & Launch)
- Fixed issues from QA testing
- Ready-to-launch version of the project
Launch & Support
What We Do:
We manage the final steps to make your project live. That may include switching domains, syncing content, or deploying to production. After launch, we provide support to make sure everything is running smoothly.
What You Do:
Confirm readiness and give the go-ahead for launch. Afterward, keep an eye on how the live project performs and share any observations.
Typical Outputs:
- Live, functioning project
- Support window for post-launch adjustments
- Recommendations for ongoing maintenance
- (More about us: Who We Are)
Feedback That Speeds Things Up
How you share feedback makes a big difference in how quickly we can act. Here are some tips:
- Be specific: Instead of “This looks off,” try “The headline font looks too small compared to the body text.”
- Group notes: Collect feedback from your team before sending it. Multiple separate notes can lead to conflicting directions.
- Prioritize: If everything is “urgent,” nothing is. Highlight what’s critical to launch versus what could wait.
- Stay focused: Comment on what’s in scope. New ideas are welcome, but separating them from current feedback keeps things moving.
Clear, consolidated feedback reduces back-and-forth and helps us keep momentum.
Change Requests
Sometimes you’ll want to adjust the plan after we’ve started. That’s normal. Here’s how we handle it in plain language:
- Flag it clearly: Let us know when something is a new request, not just feedback.
- We’ll assess impact: We check how it affects effort, timing, and overall flow.
- You decide: We’ll explain the options. You choose whether to proceed with the change now, save it for later, or stick with the current plan.
This way, you stay in control of scope, and we keep surprises to a minimum.
✅ That’s the full journey from quote to go-live. With clear expectations, timely feedback, and thoughtful communication, the process stays smooth—and the end result is stronger.