Starting a Website Project

Planning a new website or digital platform? Whether you have a detailed specification or just the outline of an idea, we can help you move from concept to clarity.

Unsure where to begin?

Some organisations approach us with a defined procurement process and clear criteria for selecting a digital partner. Others are embarking on their first major website project and are not entirely sure how to structure it. Both scenarios are completely normal.

We are always happy to provide guidance on preparing a brief, evaluating agencies and defining realistic next steps.

Share your brief

If you have a written brief, send it across. It does not need to be perfect or finalised. Even a short document or early draft provides a useful foundation for discussion.

Initial consultation

We typically arrange a discovery call to explore your objectives in more depth, understand constraints and discuss potential approaches. Following that conversation, we may send follow-up questions or structured questionnaires covering areas such as content, functionality, governance, branding or internal approval processes.

Budget alignment

While not mandatory, clarity around budget is helpful. Understanding your financial parameters allows us to recommend solutions that are appropriate in scope and ambition, avoiding unrealistic proposals or unnecessary complexity. The aim is always to align investment with outcomes.

If the Scope Needs Refining

Where requirements are unclear or strategically complex, we may suggest a standalone scoping or road-mapping phase. This is a focused, paid engagement designed to bring structure to your ideas before a full build begins.

Deliverables may include:

• A sitemap and content architecture

• A defined functionality specification

• Wireframes or structural layout concepts

• Indicative budgets and implementation pathways

This phase often supports internal sign-off and ensures the subsequent project is properly defined.

Proposal Stage

If your brief is well defined, or if the project falls within an area we regularly deliver, such as website design and build for professional services organisations, we will usually proceed directly to a formal proposal.

Our proposals typically include:

• Overview of our team and relevant experience

• Case studies aligned to your sector

• A phased project plan and timeline

• Clear pricing structures

• Stated assumptions and scope boundaries

On Speculative Design Requests

We are occasionally asked to provide early design concepts during the selection process. While we understand the intention, we generally advise against this approach.

Design should emerge from research, content and strategic clarity. Early-stage mock-ups are rarely aligned with the final direction and often become redundant once proper discovery work begins. Meaningful design requires time and expertise, and we prefer to focus that effort within active, properly scoped projects.

Instead, we recommend assessing agencies based on experience, process, previous work and the strength of their proposal. We are always happy to walk through our thinking, showcase relevant examples and discuss how we would approach your project.

Decision and Next Steps

You may feel confident proceeding based on the proposal alone. If you are presenting internally or seeking wider approval, we are happy to join a follow-up call to answer questions and support your decision-making process.

If you appoint us, we will confirm contractual terms, schedule the project and formally commence. From that point, your dedicated project manager will guide delivery step by step.

And if you don’t….

That is entirely your choice. Where a standalone scoping phase has been completed, you are free to use those deliverables elsewhere. Our objective is to provide value and clarity, regardless of the final decision.