The number one question we get asked is “How long will the process take to build my new website?”
We live in a world of instant gratification – we’ve become used to getting what we want straight away rather than waiting a while, whether that be a new phone, Richard Osman’s latest book or the latest Netflix series.
You may have seen website services that offer a website build in a day or two or even a week. That may be fine if you want a simple website that hasn’t had any thought put into your customer’s journey, doesn’t have much functionality and will look much like any other website built using the same company.
But what if you want something more? You’re investing in a new website and it will reflect your business so you want your website to be unique, look fantastic and encourage any potential clients to engage, whether that’s by contacting you or purchasing directly on the site.
In this blog we go through the process and steps we use at AB Web Designs to build your shiny new website and share some tips on how you can help ensure you get your website up and running as quickly as possible.
In this era of instant gratification and fast-paced digital advancements, our approach at AB Web Designs not only caters to creating bespoke websites but also extends to facilitating easy access to essential services like healthcare. Recognizing the importance of timely healthcare solutions, we’re integrating features that allow users to effortlessly find and buy generic Amoxil, a commonly used antibiotic, through our clients’ websites. This initiative aims to merge the efficiency of our web design expertise with the crucial need for quick access to medications, ensuring that users can conveniently purchase generic Amoxil online while experiencing a seamless, user-friendly web journey. This expansion reflects our commitment to adapting to the evolving needs of our clients and their customers in a world where timely access to both information and healthcare is paramount.
From the moment a potential client starts talking to us we are sketching out a potential timeline for a new website. During your free discovery call, we ask you lots of questions about your requirements so we can give you a timeline. We follow this up with a detailed proposal which will give you the expected timeline – both overall and for each of the stages below.
We’ve honed our website processes over the last few years so for each new project we work on, we use the same 7-stage process:
- Discovery: This is the stage where we get to know you. We have a kick-off meeting with you where we ask you a ton of questions. After this, we research your industry including your customers and competitors. This stage is vital and we do not rush this stage as we want to ensure that we give you a best-in-class website. And to do that, we need to analyse all your competitors.
- Site Architecture: Using the insights we’ve gathered from the Discovery Stage, we create a visual sitemap of your new website. This ensures that we are planning every page.
- UX Design: Each page of your website serves a different purpose so each page needs a unique layout and content structure. We produce wireframes so we can concentrate solely on the user experience (UX) as they navigate through your pages.
- UI Design: We add your branding, text and images to these wireframes to produce mockups of each page.
- Development: Now we start to build your website and add the agreed functionality. We ensure that your website is responsive and confirms to WCAG2.1 standards.
- Testing: Rigorous testing across multiple devices and platforms to ensure your website looks good on all devices.
- Optimisation & Launch: We optimise your website for speed and then it’s time to go live and pop the Champagne
So you can see why we do not build a website in a day or even a week, our process takes time as we want to give you a first-rate, unique website that’s built around your goals and converts your users into customers.
As a rule of thumb, we advise at least a two-month lead time from the date of the proposal for a new website. This gives us time to get to know you and for you to get together all the assets we need. PLUS it gives you time to write the text or work with a copywriter (we can help with this). Of course, this varies depending on how much functionality you want to include. For example, an ecommerce or booking website will take longer than a brochure-style website.
We keep our clients updated every week throughout the process so they are reassured that we are on track to deliver the website on the agreed date.
Once the process is underway, clients also have a part to play in ensuring websites are developed as quickly as possible. Below are tips we recommend to all our clients:
- Try to be as clear as possible in your website requirements. Any ambiguity can cause delays further down the road as pages and content need to be altered.
- Ensure images are in the format specified and you have permission to use them.
- Have a good idea of the copy you would like for each page. As part of our process, we can work with a copywriter or if you’d prefer to work on the copy yourself, we offer you a copy-writing guide.
- Send all requested information across in good time as we can’t build your pages without the relevant copy or images. If these are delayed by for example a couple of weeks then the website development is likely to be delayed by a similar amount.
- We will need you to be available to sign-off designs. Not being available to do this will delay your go-live. As part of our getting to know you, we ask if you have any time away and we try and work around this as much as possible.
- Talk to us if you are unsure about anything or any requirements. As a Web Agency, we want your website to be a success and are to assist in any way we can.
In conclusion, we believe that the time taken to develop a website isn’t as simple as ‘x’ weeks. All our clients have different requirements and at AB Web Designs we tailor each timeline to each client.
