How Does Getting a New Website Work?
Getting a new website is a big step for any business. It’s not just about design—it’s about trust, communication, timelines, and making sure the finished site actually works for your goals. Many of our clients come to us having never worked with a professional web design firm before, or after a frustrating experience elsewhere. We’ve built our process to remove uncertainty and replace it with clarity.
At Traverse City Web Design, we follow a proven, step-by-step approach that keeps things organized, transparent, and collaborative from the very first contact through launch and beyond. You’ll always know where things stand, what’s coming next, and how your website fits into the bigger picture of your business.
Step 1: Contact Us
Reaching Out Is the First Step Forward
Every project begins when you contact us through one of the forms on our website. This gives us the basic information we need to understand who you are and what you’re looking for. You don’t need to have everything figured out at this stage—many clients don’t—and that’s perfectly fine.
Think of this step as opening the door. You’re starting a conversation, not committing to anything yet. Whether you’re planning a full redesign, launching a brand-new site, or just exploring your options, this is where the process begins.
Step 2: We Schedule a Conversation
Prompt, Professional Follow-Up
Once we receive your message, we’ll get back to you by the next business day to schedule a time to talk. We respect your time and understand that clear communication early on sets the tone for the entire project.
This is typically a phone or video call, depending on what works best for you. The goal here isn’t to sell—it’s to connect, understand your needs, and determine whether we’re the right fit for your project.
Step 3: We Learn About Your Goals and Your Website
Understanding What You Need—and Why
During our initial conversation, we’ll ask thoughtful questions about your business, your audience, and what you want your website to accomplish. If you already have a website, we’ll review it together and talk through what’s working, what isn’t, and what you’d like to improve.
This step is about strategy as much as design. A successful website starts with understanding your goals—whether that’s generating leads, selling products, sharing information, or building credibility. Everything that follows is built on this foundation.
Step 4: We Answer Your Questions About Pricing and Process
Clear Answers, No Guesswork
We believe transparency builds trust. During our conversation, we’ll explain how our process works, what timelines typically look like, and what factors influence pricing. You’re encouraged to ask questions—about costs, hosting, SEO, maintenance, updates, or anything else that’s important to you.
Our goal is for you to leave this conversation feeling informed and confident, not pressured. You’ll have a clear sense of what’s involved before moving forward.
Step 5: We Create a Detailed Proposal
Everything Laid Out Clearly
After our discussion, we put together a custom proposal tailored to your project. This proposal outlines the full scope of work, including website design, development, hosting, and any ongoing services. Pricing is clearly spelled out so you know exactly what’s included.
There are no hidden fees and no vague promises. The proposal serves as a roadmap for the project and ensures everyone is aligned before any work begins.
Step 6: Deposit and Project Kickoff
Turning Plans Into Action
Once you approve the proposal, you submit the project deposit, and we officially begin work. At this point, your project enters our production schedule, and we start gathering assets, content, and any additional information needed.
This is where momentum builds. You’ll know who your point of contact is, what the next steps are, and what we’ll need from you along the way.
Step 7: We Build Your Website on a Temporary Domain
Your Existing Site Stays Live
Your new website is built on a temporary development domain, completely separate from your current site. This means your existing website remains live and unaffected while we design, develop, and refine the new one.
You’ll be able to review the site in progress, provide feedback, and request adjustments—all without disrupting your business or confusing visitors.
Step 8: Review and Approval
Collaboration Until It’s Right
Once the site is complete, you’ll review it carefully. This is your opportunity to make sure everything looks right, functions properly, and reflects your business accurately. We’ll address any final tweaks or refinements needed before launch.
We don’t move forward until you’re comfortable and confident with the finished site.
Step 9: Launch and Search Engine Submission
Going Live the Right Way
After approval, we launch the site on your live domain. We handle the technical details to ensure a smooth transition. Once the site is live, we submit it to Google and other search engines so it can begin the indexing process.
This step sets the foundation for your site’s visibility and performance moving forward.
Step 10: Off-Boarding, Training, and Long-Term Success
Supporting You Beyond Launch
After launch, we walk you through your new website and explain how updates work. We’ll talk about content management, ongoing maintenance, and how hosting and support are handled. This is also when we discuss next steps for keeping your website successful over time.
A website isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool. We help you understand how to use it, maintain it, and grow with it over time.
A Process Built on Clarity and Partnership
Our website process is designed to be straightforward, collaborative, and stress-free. You’ll never be left wondering what’s happening or what comes next. From the first message to long after launch, we focus on communication, craftsmanship, and long-term value.
That’s how getting a new website works at Traverse City Web Design—and why so many Northern Michigan businesses trust us with their online presence.
