Thinking about getting a new website built from scratch? It's exciting, but if you've never done it before, you might be wondering what you're actually letting yourself in for.
Let's walk through what the process looks like when you commission a bespoke website, so you know exactly what to expect (and what you'll need to contribute).
Why "Bespoke" Matters
First, let's be clear about what bespoke actually means. It's not a fancy word for "expensive" – it means your website is designed and built specifically for your business, rather than using a generic template.
Think of it like buying a suit. You could buy one off the rack and it'll probably be fine. Or you could have one made to measure that fits you perfectly, reflects your style, and makes you look the business.
That's the difference between a template and a bespoke website.
The Initial Conversation
Everything starts with a chat. This isn't a sales pitch – it's a genuine conversation about your business.
What I'll want to know:
- What does your business do (and what makes you different)?
- Who are your customers?
- What do you want your website to achieve?
- What do you love (or hate) about other websites you've seen?
- Do you have existing branding, or does that need creating too?
- What's your budget and timeline?
This conversation helps me understand whether we're a good fit and what you actually need. Sometimes that's a full e-commerce site with member areas. Sometimes it's a straightforward brochure site. There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
What Happens Next
Once we've agreed to work together, here's the typical journey:
1. Discovery Phase
This is where I dig deeper into your business. I'll ask questions about your services, your customers, your competitors, and what success looks like for you. You might send me examples of websites you like, existing marketing materials, or just have another conversation about your vision.
Don't worry, you don't need all the answers immediately. This is a collaborative process.
2. Planning the Structure
Before any design work happens, we need to plan what pages you need and how they'll connect. This is like creating a blueprint before building a house.
I'll suggest a structure based on what works for your type of business, and you'll tell me if I've missed anything or got something wrong. This stage saves enormous amounts of time later.
3. Design Concepts
This is where things get visual. I'll create design concepts that show you what your site could look like – the colors, layout, typography, and overall feel.
You'll give me feedback. Maybe the blue isn't quite right, or you'd prefer the navigation laid out differently. We refine the design until it feels like "you."
4. Content Gathering
Here's where many people get stuck, so let's address it head-on: websites need words and images.
You have a few options:
- You write the content yourself (I'll give you guidance on what's needed)
- You provide rough notes and we'll shape them into web-friendly content
- We work together in stages, getting each page right before moving on
For images, you might use professional photos you already have, hire a photographer, or we can source quality stock images. What matters is that they represent your business authentically.
The worst thing you can do? Leave placeholder text like "Lorem ipsum" or generic stock photos that have nothing to do with your business. Take the time to get this bit right.
5. Build and Development
While you're working on content, I'm building your website. This includes:
- Setting up WordPress and all the necessary plugins
- Creating custom page templates
- Adding functionality (contact forms, booking systems, whatever you need)
- Making everything mobile-responsive
- Optimising for speed and search engines
- Ensuring accessibility for all users
You won't see much during this phase – we're working behind the scenes getting the foundations solid.
6. Bringing It Together
Once the design is built and the content is ready, I add everything to your site. Then you get to see it all working together for the first time.
This is exciting! It's also when you might spot things that need adjusting. Maybe a heading needs rewording, or a page would work better in a different order. That's completely normal and expected.
7. Testing and Refinement Before launch, we test everything thoroughly:
- Does every link work?
- Do forms submit properly?
- Does it look good on different devices?
- Is everything spelt correctly?
- Does it load quickly?
You'll test it too, clicking through as if you're a customer. This is your chance to spot anything that doesn't feel quite right.
8. Training Once you're happy, we'll show you how to use your new website. This includes:
- How to add or edit content
- How to add blog posts or news updates
- How to update images
- Basic troubleshooting
We explain everything in plain English, not technical jargon. You'll get written instructions too, so you can refer back when you need to.
9. Launch Day
Your website goes live! we'll handle all the technical bits, pointing your domain name to the new site, checking everything works and setting up analytics.
You get to celebrate and tell everyone about your brilliant new website.
10. After Launch
This isn't the end, it's the beginning. Your website needs ongoing maintenance to stay secure, fast, and working properly. That's what hosting and support packages are for.
I'm always available if you need help, want to add new features, or have questions about managing your site.
How Long Does It Take?
Honestly? It varies. A straightforward brochure website might take 6-8 weeks from start to finish. A complex e-commerce site with custom features could take 3-4 months.
The biggest variable is usually content. If you've got your text and images ready quickly, things move faster. If content creation takes longer, so does the project. That's completely fine – better to get it right than rush it.
What You'll Need to Contribute
Let's be realistic about what's needed from you:
Time Investment:
- Initial conversation: 1-2 hours
- Providing feedback on design: a few hours spread over a couple of weeks
- Creating or approving content: this varies wildly depending on your approach
- Testing the site before launch: 2-3 hours
- Training session: 1-2 hours
Information:
- Details about your business, services, and customers
- Any existing branding materials
- Contact information, opening hours, etc.
- Examples of websites you like or dislike
Decision Making:
- Approving designs and concepts
- Choosing between options when they arise
- Signing off on the finished site
You don't need to understand web design or technology. You just need to be the expert on your business and communicate what feels right or wrong.
What If You Get Stuck?
Sometimes clients worry they won't know what they want, or they'll make the wrong decisions. Here's the thing: that's what I'm here for.
My job isn't just to build what you ask for – it's to guide you towards decisions that work for your business. If something won't work well, I'll tell you. If there's a better approach, I'll suggest it.
You're not expected to have all the answers. That's why you're working with someone who's been doing this for 27 years.
The Partnership Approach
The best websites come from genuine collaboration. You bring the deep knowledge of your business. I bring the technical expertise and experience of what works online.
When clients are engaged in the process – asking questions, giving honest feedback, contributing ideas, the results are always better. Not because I need you to do my job, but because your input makes the website authentically yours.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of web designers who:
- Promise a website in a week (quality takes time)
- Don't ask questions about your business
- Won't show you examples of their previous work
- Use lots of jargon without explaining what it means
- Disappear after launch with no ongoing support
A good web designer wants to understand your business and build something that genuinely helps you succeed.
What Success Looks Like
A successful bespoke website project ends with you feeling:
- Proud to share your website with customers
- Confident you can manage basic updates yourself
- Clear about how to get help when you need it
- Like your website genuinely represents your business
And most importantly, your website should be bringing you customers and making your business easier to run.
Ready to Get Started?
Commissioning a bespoke website is an investment in your business. Yes, it requires some effort from you – but nowhere near as much as you might fear. And the result is a website that's uniquely yours and actually works for your business.
Want to talk through what a bespoke website could do for your business? Get in touch for a no-obligation chat about your project. I promise to be honest about what's involved, what's possible, and whether we're the right fit for each other.
