Website Design Process: How to Design a Website (Rules, Steps & Best Practices)

Designing a website without a clear process is like building a house without blueprints. You might end up with something that looks okay, but it probably won't work the way you need it to.

Whether you're designing your first website or your fiftieth, following a proven process saves time, prevents costly mistakes, and creates better results. This guide breaks down the exact website design process professionals use, plus the fundamental rules you need to follow.

The 10 Golden Rules of Website Design

Before diving into the step-by-step process, understand these core principles. Every decision you make should align with these rules.

Rule 1: Design for Your Users, Not Yourself

Your website exists to serve your visitors, not to showcase your personal preferences. What matters is whether your target audience finds it useful, trustworthy, and easy to navigate.

Ask yourself: What does my audience need? What problems are they trying to solve? What questions do they have? Design answers these questions first.

Rule 2: Clarity Beats Cleverness Every Time

Visitors should understand what your website offers within 5 seconds of landing on your homepage. Clever wordplay, vague messaging, and creative navigation confuse people.

Use clear headlines, simple language, and obvious navigation labels. "Services" works better than "What We Do." "Contact Us" beats "Let's Connect." Save creativity for your marketing campaigns, not your website structure.

Rule 3: Mobile Comes First

Over 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your site doesn't work perfectly on phones, you're losing more than half your potential visitors.

Design for small screens first, then expand to tablets and desktops. This mobile-first approach ensures your site works everywhere.

Rule 4: Speed Matters More Than You Think

Visitors leave if your page takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Every extra second increases your bounce rate significantly.

Fast websites rank higher on Google, convert more visitors, and create better user experiences. Optimize images, minimize code, and choose quality hosting.

Rule 5: Consistency Creates Trust

Use the same fonts, colors, button styles, and spacing throughout your site. Inconsistent design looks unprofessional and confuses visitors.

Create a style guide that defines your visual elements, then stick to it on every page.

Rule 6: White Space Is Your Friend

Cramming too much content onto a page overwhelms visitors. White space (empty space around elements) makes your content easier to read and more visually appealing.

Don't be afraid of empty space. It guides the eye, creates breathing room, and emphasizes important elements.

Rule 7: Every Page Needs a Clear Purpose

What should visitors do on this page? Every page should have one primary goal. Your homepage might aim to explain what you do and direct people to key pages. A service page should educate and encourage contact. A product page should drive purchases.

Remove anything that doesn't support the page's main purpose.

Rule 8: Navigation Should Be Invisible

The best navigation is intuitive and forgettable. Visitors should find what they need without thinking about how they got there.

Keep navigation menus simple, use familiar patterns, and maintain consistency across all pages. Limit your main navigation to 5-7 items maximum.

Rule 9: Accessibility Is Not Optional

Your website should work for everyone, including people with disabilities. This means proper heading structure, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility.

Accessible design is better design for everyone. It's also often legally required.

Rule 10: Data Drives Decisions

Don't guess what works. Use analytics, user testing, and feedback to make informed decisions. Track how visitors use your site, identify problem areas, and continuously improve.

Launch is just the beginning. The best websites evolve based on real user behavior.

The Complete Website Design Process: 8 Essential Steps

Now let's walk through the exact process professional designers follow. Each step builds on the previous one.

Step 1: Discovery and Research

Every successful website starts with research. Skip this step and you'll build something that looks nice but doesn't achieve your goals.

Define Your Objectives

What do you want your website to accomplish? Be specific and measurable.

Weak goal: "Get more customers" Strong goal: "Generate 50 qualified leads per month from organic search"

Common website objectives include:

• Generate leads through contact forms

• Sell products directly online

• Build brand awareness and credibility

• Provide customer support and resources

• Collect email subscribers

• Schedule appointments or bookings
  

Write down 2-3 primary goals. Everything else in the process should support these objectives.

Understand Your Target Audience

Who will visit your website? Create detailed profiles of your ideal visitors.

For each audience segment, document:

• Demographics (age, location, job title, income)

• Problems and pain points they're experiencing

• Questions they need answered

• How they search for solutions

• What devices they use most

• What makes them trust a business

The better you understand your audience, the better you can design for their needs.

Analyze Your Competition

Visit 10-15 competitor websites. Don't just glance at them. Really explore.

For each competitor, note:

• What's their main message?

• How is their site organized?

• What features do they offer?

• What do they do well?

• Where do they fall short?

• What makes them stand out?

This research reveals industry standards you should meet and opportunities to differentiate yourself.

Audit Your Existing Website (If Applicable)

If you're redesigning an existing site, analyze what's working and what's not.

Check your analytics:

• Which pages get the most traffic?

• Where do visitors drop off?

• Which pages convert best?

• What are your top traffic sources?

Review user feedback and support tickets. What questions do people ask? What confuses them?

Deliverables from Step 1:

• Written objectives and success metrics

• Detailed audience profiles

• Competitive analysis document

• Current site audit (if redesigning)

Time Investment: 3-5 days for thorough discovery

Step 2: Planning and Information Architecture

Information architecture is how you organize and structure your content. Good IA makes information easy to find. Bad IA frustrates visitors.

Create a Site Map

List every page your website needs. Organize them into a logical hierarchy.

A typical small business site map looks like:

Home
About
  ├── Our Story
  ├── Team
  └── Careers
Services
  ├── Service 1
  ├── Service 2
  └── Service 3
Portfolio/Case Studies
Blog
Contact

Keep your main navigation simple. Most sites work best with 5-7 top-level pages. Additional pages can live in sub-menus or footer navigation.

Plan Your Content

For each page in your site map, outline what content you'll need.

Example for a service page:

• Page headline

• Brief description of the service

• Key benefits (3-5 bullets)

• How it works (process steps)

• Pricing information

• Client testimonials

• Call-to-action

• FAQ section

Creating these outlines now prevents content gaps later.

Map User Journeys

How do visitors move through your site to accomplish their goals?

For example, a visitor journey might be:

1. Lands on homepage from Google search

2. Reads headline and understands what you offer

3. Clicks "Services" to learn more

4. Reads about specific service

5. Clicks "View Case Studies" to see examples

6. Returns to service page and clicks "Get a Quote"

7. Fills out contact form

Map out 3-5 common user journeys. Design your navigation and content to make these paths smooth and obvious.

Choose Your Technology Platform

Decide what platform or CMS (content management system) you'll use.

WordPress - Powers 40% of all websites. Great for most businesses. Thousands of themes and plugins. Easy to update content yourself.

Shopify - Built specifically for e-commerce. Easy to set up online stores. Strong payment processing and inventory management.

Webflow - Visual design tool with powerful CMS. Great for custom designs without heavy coding. Growing in popularity.

Squarespace/Wix - Simple drag-and-drop builders. Good for very basic sites. Limited customization and features.

Custom Development - Complete flexibility and control. Requires significant budget and technical expertise.

Most businesses should start with WordPress. It offers the best balance of flexibility, features, and ease of use.

Deliverables from Step 2:

• Complete site map

• Content outlines for each page

• User journey maps

• Platform decision

Time Investment: 3-7 days

Step 3: Wireframing

Wireframes are simple, black-and-white layouts that show where elements go on each page. Think of them as blueprints.

Why Wireframes Matter

Wireframes let you plan functionality and layout without getting distracted by colors, fonts, and images. They're quick to create and easy to change.

Skipping wireframes is like writing code without pseudocode. You'll waste time backtracking when you realize the structure doesn't work.

Create Mobile Wireframes First

Start with smartphone layouts. Mobile screens are small, so you're forced to prioritize the most important elements.

For each page type (homepage, service page, about page, etc.), sketch out:

• Header/navigation placement

• Headline and subheadline location

• Main content sections in order

• Image placements

• Call-to-action buttons

• Footer elements

Use rectangles for images, lines for text, and simple labels for sections. Don't worry about making them pretty.

Expand to Desktop Wireframes

Once mobile wireframes work, adapt them for larger screens. You'll have more horizontal space to work with.

Common desktop patterns:

• Two or three column layouts

• Sidebar navigation

• Larger hero images

• More content visible above the fold
  

Tools for Wireframing

Pen and paper - Fastest for initial concepts. Great for brainstorming sessions.

Balsamiq - Simple wireframing tool with a hand-drawn look. Easy to learn.

Figma - Professional design tool that works great for wireframes and final designs. Free for basic use.

Adobe XD - Similar to Figma. More features but steeper learning curve.

Whimsical - Clean, simple wireframing with collaboration features.

Start with pen and paper, then move to digital tools for wireframes you'll share with others.

Get Feedback Early

Share wireframes with stakeholders and potential users. Ask:

• Is the layout clear and logical?

• Can you find what you're looking for?

• Does anything confuse you?

• What's missing?

It's much easier to fix structural problems now than after visual design begins.

Deliverables from Step 3:

• Mobile wireframes for all key page types

• Desktop wireframes for all key page types

• Annotated notes explaining functionality

Time Investment: 5-7 days

Step 4: Visual Design

Now comes the creative part. Visual design brings your wireframes to life with colors, typography, images, and graphics.

Establish Your Visual Direction

Before designing actual pages, define your visual style.

Choose Your Color Palette Select 3-5 colors:

• Primary brand color (appears most often)

• Secondary color (supports primary)

• Accent color (for buttons and highlights)

• Neutral colors (grays for text and backgrounds)

Colors evoke emotions. Blue suggests trust and professionalism. Green implies growth and health. Red creates urgency and excitement. Choose colors that match your brand and appeal to your audience.

Select Your Typography Choose 2-3 fonts:

• Headline font (bold, attention-grabbing)

• Body font (readable, easy on the eyes)

• Optional accent font (for special elements)

For body text, use sans-serif fonts like Open Sans, Roboto, or Lato. They're easier to read on screens. For headlines, you can be more creative, but maintain readability.

Define Your Visual Style Will your design be:

• Minimalist and clean?

• Bold and colorful?

• Professional and corporate?

• Friendly and approachable?

• Modern and cutting-edge?

Your visual style should match your brand personality and appeal to your target audience.

Design Your Homepage First

The homepage sets the visual standard for your entire site. Nail this design and the rest becomes easier.

Key homepage elements to design:

• Header with logo and navigation

• Hero section (large image/video with headline and CTA)

• Brief introduction to what you offer

• Key benefits or features

• Social proof (testimonials, logos, statistics)

• Call-to-action

• Footer with links and contact info

Use your wireframe as a guide but don't be afraid to deviate if you discover better solutions.

Design Additional Page Templates

Once the homepage is approved, design templates for:

• Service/product pages

• About page

• Blog post template

• Contact page

Maintain visual consistency across all pages. Use the same header, footer, fonts, colors, and spacing.

Design for Readability

Even beautiful designs fail if people can't read your content.

Typography Best Practices:

• Body text should be at least 16px on desktop, 14px on mobile

• Line height should be 1.5 to 1.8 times the font size

• Line length should be 50-75 characters for optimal readability

• Use ample spacing between paragraphs

• Align text left (not justified or centered for body copy)

Color Contrast: Text and background must have sufficient contrast. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text. Use tools like WebAIM's contrast checker to verify.

Create a Design System

Document your design decisions in a style guide:

• Color codes (hex values)

• Font names and sizes

• Button styles

• Spacing rules

• Icon style

• Image treatments

This ensures consistency as you design more pages and makes development smoother.

Gather Feedback and Refine

Share designs with stakeholders. Focus feedback on:

• Does this match our brand?

• Will our audience respond well to this?

• Does it achieve our goals?

• Is anything confusing or unclear?

Plan for 2-3 rounds of revisions. Good agencies include this in their process.

Deliverables from Step 4:

• High-fidelity mockups of all page types

• Design system/style guide

• Asset files (logos, icons, images)

Time Investment: 2-3 weeks

Step 5: Content Creation

Content is the most time-consuming part of website projects. It's also the most important. Great design with weak content fails.

Write Your Website Copy

Every page needs clear, compelling copy that speaks to your audience and achieves your goals.

Homepage Copy:

• Headline: What you do in 10 words or less

• Subheadline: Who you serve and how you help

• Brief description of your main offerings

• Key benefits or differentiators

• Trust indicators and social proof

• Clear call-to-action

Service/Product Pages:

• Descriptive headline

• What the service/product is

• Who it's for

• Key benefits (outcomes, not features)

• How it works (process or steps)

• Pricing information (if applicable)

• Testimonials or case studies

• FAQ section

• Strong call-to-action

About Page:

• Your story and why you started

• Your mission and values

• What makes you different

• Team bios with photos

• Credentials and experience

Writing Tips:

• Use short sentences and paragraphs

• Write at an 8th-grade reading level

• Focus on benefits, not features

• Use active voice instead of passive

• Include specific examples and details

• Break up text with subheadings

• End sections with clear next steps

Optimize for SEO

Search engine optimization should be built into your content from the start.

Keyword Research: Identify 3-5 main keywords for each page. These are terms your audience actually searches for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.

On-Page SEO:

• Include primary keyword in page title

• Use keyword in first paragraph

• Add keywords naturally throughout content

• Create descriptive page URLs (yoursite.com/web-design-services)

• Write unique meta descriptions for each page

• Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) in order

• Add descriptive alt text to all images

Don't keyword stuff. Write for humans first, search engines second.

Gather Visual Content

Photography: Original photos of your team, office, products, or work always perform better than stock photos. If you must use stock, choose authentic-looking images of real people, not posed models.

Video: Video content increases engagement significantly. Consider:

• Welcome video on homepage

• Product demos or tutorials

• Customer testimonials

• Behind-the-scenes footage

Graphics and Icons: Custom illustrations or icons make your site more unique and memorable. Tools like Canva or AI image generators can help create custom graphics.

Image Optimization: Before uploading images:

• Resize to appropriate dimensions (don't use 4000px images when you only need 1200px)

• Compress file size (use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim)

• Use modern formats like WebP when possible

• Add descriptive file names and alt text

Plan for Ongoing Content

Most websites benefit from fresh content. Consider:

• Blog posts addressing common questions

• Case studies showcasing your work

• Resource guides or downloads

• Industry news and updates

Fresh content improves SEO, establishes expertise, and gives visitors reasons to return.

Deliverables from Step 5:

• Finalized copy for all pages

• Optimized images and media files

• Content calendar for blog/updates (if applicable)

Time Investment: 2-4 weeks (often the longest phase)

Step 6: Development and Build

Development turns your designs into a functioning website. This phase involves coding and technical work.

Set Up Development Environment

Choose Your Hosting: Your host stores your website files and makes them accessible online.

Quality hosting options:

• WP Engine - Premium WordPress hosting, excellent performance

• SiteGround - Good balance of price and features

• Kinsta - High-performance managed WordPress hosting

• Shopify - Handles hosting automatically for e-commerce

Don't choose hosting based solely on price. Cheap hosting leads to slow sites, downtime, and security issues.

Register Your Domain: Your domain is your website address (yourcompany.com). Register through providers like Namecheap, Google Domains, or your hosting company.

Set Up Staging Site: Build your site on a staging server (a private, non-public version) first. This lets you test thoroughly before making it live.

Build the Front-End

Front-end development creates what visitors see and interact with.

HTML Structure: Developers code your page layouts using HTML. This includes headers, navigation, content sections, forms, and footers.

CSS Styling: CSS makes your site look like your designs. It controls colors, fonts, spacing, layouts, and responsive behavior.

JavaScript Functionality: JavaScript adds interactivity like:

• Mobile menu toggles

• Image sliders and galleries

• Form validation

• Smooth scrolling

• Animations and transitions

Responsive Implementation: Ensure your site adapts perfectly to all screen sizes. Test on actual devices, not just browser tools.

Build the Back-End

Back-end development powers your site behind the scenes.

Content Management System: Set up WordPress, Shopify, or your chosen CMS. Create custom post types, taxonomies, and fields as needed.

Database Setup: Configure databases to store your content, user information, and other data.

Forms and Functionality: Build contact forms, search functionality, filtering systems, and any custom features.

Integrate Third-Party Tools

Connect your website to other services you use:

Analytics:

• Google Analytics for traffic tracking

• Google Search Console for SEO monitoring

• Hotjar or similar for user behavior analysis

Marketing Tools:

• Email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)

• CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce)

• Live chat software (Intercom, Drift)

E-commerce:

• Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal)

• Shipping calculators

• Inventory management

Social Media:

• Social sharing buttons

• Feed integrations

• Review widgets

Optimize Performance

Image Optimization: Implement lazy loading (images load as users scroll). Use responsive images (different sizes for different screens).

Code Optimization: Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. Combine files to reduce HTTP requests. Remove unused code.

Caching: Set up browser caching and server-side caching to speed up repeat visits.

Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs serve your content from servers closest to each visitor, reducing load times globally.

Deliverables from Step 6:

• Functioning website on staging server

• All features and functionality working

• Third-party integrations connected

• Optimized performance

Time Investment: 3-5 weeks

Step 7: Testing and Quality Assurance

Never skip testing. This phase catches bugs and issues before real visitors encounter them.

Functional Testing

Test every feature and interaction:

• Click every link (internal and external)

• Submit every form

• Test search functionality

• Try all navigation paths

• Upload files (if applicable)

• Test account creation and login

• Verify email notifications send correctly

• Check shopping cart and checkout process

Create a checklist and systematically test everything.

Browser and Device Testing

Your site should work everywhere visitors might access it.

Browsers to Test:

• Chrome (most popular)

• Safari (especially on Mac and iPhone)

• Firefox

• Edge

• Mobile browsers

Devices to Test:

• iPhone (various sizes)

• Android phones

• iPad and tablets

• Desktop computers (Windows and Mac)

• Large monitors

Use tools like BrowserStack for testing multiple browser/device combinations.

Performance Testing

Page Speed: Test load times using:

• Google PageSpeed Insights

• GTmetrix

• WebPageTest

Aim for pages that load in under 3 seconds. If pages are slow, optimize images, minimize code, or upgrade hosting.

Stress Testing: Test how your site performs under heavy traffic. This matters especially for e-commerce sites or if you expect traffic spikes.

Accessibility Testing

Make sure everyone can use your site.

Automated Testing: Use tools like:

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)

• axe DevTools

• Lighthouse in Chrome

Manual Testing:

• Navigate your site using only keyboard (no mouse)

• Try using screen reader software

• Check color contrast

• Verify all images have alt text

• Ensure forms are properly labeled

SEO Audit

Verify all SEO elements are properly implemented:

• Page titles and meta descriptions

• Header tag hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)

• Image alt text

• XML sitemap

• Robots.txt file

• 301 redirects from old site (if redesigning)

• Schema markup (if applicable)

• Mobile-friendliness

Content Review

Proofread every page:

• Check for typos and grammar errors

• Verify all information is accurate

• Ensure consistency in tone and style

• Check that all images appear correctly

• Verify contact information is current

Security Testing

SSL Certificate: Ensure your site uses HTTPS (secure connection). Most hosting providers include free SSL certificates.

Security Plugins: Install security software to protect against hacking attempts, malware, and spam.

Backup System: Set up automated backups so you can restore your site if anything goes wrong.

Create Testing Checklist

Document everything that needs testing. Assign someone to verify each item. Don't mark items complete until they're actually fixed.

Deliverables from Step 7:

• Complete testing checklist

• Bug reports and fixes

• Performance optimization results

• Accessibility compliance report

Time Investment: 1-2 weeks

Step 8: Launch and Post-Launch

Launch day is exciting, but it's not the finish line. Post-launch work ensures your site succeeds long-term.

Pre-Launch Checklist

Before flipping the switch, verify:

Technical Setup:

• ✓ SSL certificate installed and working

• ✓ Google Analytics tracking code installed

• ✓ Google Search Console connected

• ✓ Backup system configured

• ✓ 301 redirects from old URLs set up (if redesigning)

• ✓ Custom 404 error page created

• ✓ Favicon uploaded

• ✓ Site submitted to search engines

Content:

• ✓ All pages have content

• ✓ Contact information is accurate

• ✓ Legal pages added (Privacy Policy, Terms of Service)

• ✓ Social media links work correctly

• ✓ All forms tested and delivering emails

Final Checks:

• ✓ Remove "under construction" or "coming soon" messaging

• ✓ Check site on multiple devices

• ✓ Clear caching

• ✓ Test one more time

Launch Your Website

Choose Your Launch Time: Launch during business hours on a weekday. This ensures you're available to fix any urgent issues that appear.

Point Your Domain: Update DNS settings to point your domain to your new website. This can take 1-48 hours to propagate fully.

Monitor Closely: Watch your site closely for the first 24-48 hours. Check analytics, test forms, and monitor for any unexpected issues.

Announce Your Launch

Tell people about your new website:

• Email announcement to your list

• Social media posts

• Press release (if appropriate)

• Update email signatures with new site link

• Tell customers and partners

Train Your Team

Make sure your team knows how to:

• Add and edit content

• Create blog posts

• Update images

• Manage forms

• Check analytics

• Perform basic troubleshooting

Create documentation or training videos for reference.

Post-Launch Optimization

Your work isn't done at launch. Now the real optimization begins.

Week 1: Monitor and Fix

• Check analytics daily

• Fix any bugs that appear

• Monitor form submissions

• Watch for broken links

• Check load times

Month 1: Analyze and Adjust

• Review traffic patterns

• Identify high-performing pages

• Find pages with high bounce rates

• Check which traffic sources drive the most visitors

• Test and refine calls-to-action

Month 3: Deeper Optimization

• A/B test headlines and CTAs

• Improve underperforming pages

• Add more content to high-traffic pages

• Create new blog posts or resources

• Build backlinks for SEO

Ongoing Maintenance:

• Update software and plugins monthly

• Add fresh content regularly

• Monitor and improve site speed

• Keep security measures current

• Back up your site regularly

Measure Success

Track the goals you defined in Step 1. Are you achieving them?

Common metrics to monitor:

• Total website traffic

• Traffic sources (organic, direct, social, referral)

• Bounce rate

• Average time on page

• Conversion rate (forms, purchases, etc.)

• Keyword rankings

• Page load speed

Set up monthly reporting to track progress over time.

Plan for Growth

Your website should evolve as your business grows.

Consider:

• Adding new service pages

• Expanding blog content

• Implementing advanced features

• Improving conversion optimization

• Enhancing user experience based on data

Successful websites are never truly "finished." They continuously improve based on user behavior and business needs.

Deliverables from Step 8:

• Live, functioning website

• Analytics and tracking setup

• Team training and documentation

• Post-launch monitoring plan

• Ongoing maintenance schedule

Time Investment: 1-2 weeks for launch activities, ongoing for optimization

Common Website Design Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these frequent errors so you don't repeat them.

Starting Without Strategy

Jumping into design before understanding your goals, audience, and competition leads to websites that look nice but don't work.

Always complete thorough discovery and planning before touching any design tools.

Designing Desktop-First

If you design for large screens first, your mobile experience will feel cramped and awkward. Start mobile, then expand.

Using Too Many Fonts and Colors

Stick to 2-3 fonts and 3-5 colors maximum. Too many visual elements create chaos and look unprofessional.

Ignoring Load Speed

Beautiful high-resolution images mean nothing if visitors leave before they load. Always optimize for speed.

Making Navigation Complicated

Creative navigation might seem cool, but it confuses visitors. Use standard navigation patterns everyone understands.

Writing Too Much Text

People skim websites; they don't read every word. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings.

Hiding Contact Information

Make it easy for people to reach you. Include contact information in your header or footer on every page.

Forgetting Calls-to-Action

Tell visitors exactly what to do next. Every page should guide users toward your goals.

Launching Without Testing

Bugs, broken links, and errors destroy credibility. Test thoroughly before launch.

Setting and Forgetting

Websites need regular updates, fresh content, and continuous optimization. Budget time for ongoing maintenance.

Tools and Resources for Website Design

Design Tools

Figma (Free-Premium) Professional design and prototyping tool. Excellent for collaboration. Industry standard.

Adobe XD (Free-Premium) Similar to Figma. Part of Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

Canva (Free-Premium) Simple design tool great for graphics, social media images, and basic layouts.

Sketch (Mac Only, Paid) Popular among Mac users. Strong design and prototyping features.

Wireframing Tools

Balsamiq ($90/year) Simple, fast wireframing with hand-drawn aesthetic.

Whimsical (Free-Premium) Clean wireframing with collaboration features.

Miro (Free-Premium) Digital whiteboard great for brainstorming and planning.

Development Platforms

WordPress.org (Free, Hosting Required) Most popular CMS. Powers 40%+ of all websites.

Shopify (Paid, Hosting Included) Best for e-commerce. Easy setup and management.

Webflow (Free-Premium) Visual development tool. Design and build without extensive coding.

Testing Tools

Google PageSpeed Insights (Free) Tests page speed and provides optimization suggestions.

BrowserStack (Paid) Test your site on hundreds of browser/device combinations.

WAVE (Free) Accessibility testing tool.

Learning Resources

Google's UX Design Course (Free on Coursera) Comprehensive introduction to UX principles.

Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug (Book) Classic guide to web usability.

A List Apart (Free Website) Articles on web design and development best practices.

Smashing Magazine (Free Website) In-depth articles on design and development.

Your Next Steps

You now understand the complete website design process from discovery to launch and beyond.

If you're designing it yourself:

1. Start with discovery before touching any tools

2. Create wireframes for mobile first

3. Design with your audience in mind, not your personal taste

4. Test everything thoroughly before launch

5. Plan for ongoing updates and optimization

If you're hiring a designer or agency:

1. Complete discovery on your own first

2. Look for partners who follow a structured process

3. Prepare content early to avoid delays

4. Give timely, specific feedback

5. Stay involved throughout the project

Remember: great websites aren't built in a day. Follow this process, take your time with each step, and focus on creating something that truly serves your audience and achieves your business goals.

The best website is one that works, not just one that looks good. Start with strategy, follow the process, and keep improving based on real data.

Ready to begin? Start with Step 1: Discovery and Research. Define your goals, understand your audience, and analyze your competition. Everything else builds from this foundation.