In this post I’ll show you how a structured web design process can help you deliver websites faster and better. If you’re looking to design a company website the strategic way, you’re in the right place.

Every website needs to attract visitors and clearly communicate the product, service and company behind it. This means using the right visuals, content and interactions. Every element of your site must be designed with purpose and intention.

7-Step Web Design Process

From the visual stuff like colours and fonts to the actual content like headlines and paragraphs, the design of a website is important. But remember what really sells is the content. Alongside good design you need a clear strategy for creating and structuring content.

Here’s a quick rundown of the 7-step web design process:

1. Discovery—Do a discovery workshop.
2. Wireframes—Sketch the homepage layout.
3. Messaging—Write headlines and paragraphs.
4. Design—Create high-fidelity designs.
5. Development—Build the website (using CMS or code).
6. Testing—Check for performance issues.
7. Launch—Go live and schedule ongoing maintenance.

In this post I’ll walk you through each step of my web design process.

What Makes a Great Website?

A great website isn’t just about cool design, animations or interactions. It’s about how well the site communicates your brand’s story through both visual and verbal identity.

To evaluate a website’s effectiveness consider these three criteria:

1. Clarity—Is the website easy to understand?
2. Appearance—Does it look good?
3. Actionability—Does it encourage users to take action?

1. Discovery

The discovery phase is where you gather all the essential information about the business and its objectives. During this phase you need to ask the right questions. Instead of focusing on superficial stuff like favourite colours, ask:

• Who is your target audience?
• What problem do you solve for them?
• How do they feel after you solve their problem?
• What meaningful value do you add to their lives?

Using this structured approach you can craft a compelling brand story and messaging for the website. For a deeper dive into crafting brand stories check out my Storytelling Guide.

2. Wireframes

Sketching the wireframe helps you visualise the layout and structure of the homepage. This rough sketch determines what sections you’ll need and how the content will be arranged.

Common sections to include:

1. Header—Logo, menu and a short headline with a call to action.
2. Stakes/Value—What are you saving customers from or what do they get?
3. Guide—Introduce your brand or yourself as the solution provider.
4. Explanation—More information or stories.
5. Plan—What customers should do to engage with your brand.
6. Proof—Testimonials or client logos to build trust.
7. Footer—Additional links and contact info.

Tools for wireframing are Balsamiq, Moqups and Axure. You can also use Photoshop or Figma for a more polished approach.

3. Messaging

Take the insights from your discovery session and turn them into actual website copy. Start with a clear and concise header that answers:

• What do you offer?
• How will it make my life better?
• What should I do to buy from you?

Your messaging should be simple and compelling. Use the brand’s tone of voice and fill each section of the wireframe with content.

Tools to write content include Google Docs, Quip and Dropbox Paper. Use SEO tools like Google Trends and Ubersuggest to refine your messaging.

4. Design

Once you have your wireframe and content, it’s time to design high-fidelity. This is where you bring your vision to life with colours, fonts and images, guided by your style guide.

You can design from scratch or modify a premium template. Tools like Figma, Adobe XD and Sketch can help you create beautiful designs.

5. Development

Develop your website by coding it manually (HTML & CSS) or using visual “no-code” tools like Webflow or Elementor. I often choose Webflow for its ease of use and speed of turning designs into functional websites.

6. Testing

Test the website thoroughly to make sure everything works as expected. Check for broken links, page speed and responsiveness. Use tools like Page Speed Insights and BrowserStack to find and fix any issues.

7. Launch

Once tested, it’s time to launch your website. Announce it on social media, email campaigns or both. Remember, the launch is just the beginning. Plan for ongoing maintenance and updates as needed.

Conclusion

Creating a great website is more than just looking good. It requires strategic planning, clear messaging and good design. By following a process you can ensure your website not only looks good but also works well and meets your business goals.

Check out the final result at peritidigital.com. Whether you’re a business owner or designer, I hope this helps with your web design projects.

Leave a comment below with any questions or thoughts!