Unlocking Success: Our Web Design Process Part 1

What’s good ya’ll!?

Welcome to Part 1 of our Web Design and Development Process Series. Over the next few weeks, I am going to share the exact process we’ve spent 10 years refining at 5Four Digital. Whether you’re a web design pro or a startup founder, these steps will give you insight into how to build websites that drive results.

Today, we’re kicking things off with Onboarding and Discovery, the foundation for every successful project. This is where we set expectations, align with clients, and build a strategy to create something extraordinary.

Onboarding: The Foundation of Every Great Project

Once a client signs their contract and makes their first payment, it’s go-time! Our onboarding process is designed to eliminate confusion, provide clarity, and get everyone on the same page. 

Here’s how we make it happen:

1. Welcome Email

The first step after signing on is sending a personalized welcome email to set the stage for a smooth project. Here’s what’s included:

• ClickUp Access: A custom project hub where clients can track progress, view timelines, and find essential documents like contracts, invoices, and deliverables. It’s their one-stop shop for everything related to the project.
• Calendly Link: A hassle-free booking link to schedule their Brand Discovery call. This ensures they can choose a time that works best for them, keeping things flexible and convenient.
• Brand Discovery Document: A detailed questionnaire with 15–20 questions designed to uncover key insights—like their goals, audience, and brand personality. This helps us hit the ground running before the first call.

2. Slack Integration

We invite the client into a dedicated Slack channel. This becomes our real-time communication hub, where they can ask questions, share feedback, and stay updated on the project.

Why It Works

From Day 1, our onboarding process builds trust and professionalism by providing clients with clear tools and resources. They know exactly what to expect, which reduces stress and lays the groundwork for a smooth, collaborative experience.

Discovery Call: Uncovering the Why Behind the Project

Discovery is more than just a kickoff call; it’s where we dig deep to understand the client’s vision and turn it into a clear plan of action. This step is all about asking the right questions, identifying challenges, and creating a roadmap for success.

1. Pre-Call Preparation

Before we even hop on the Discovery call, we take time to review the client’s completed Brand Discovery document. This document is a powerful tool we use to uncover the essence of their business.

So, what is Brand Discovery? It’s a structured deep dive into the client’s business, designed to identify the following:

• Core Goals: What is the client hoping to achieve? Increased conversions, better engagement, or a complete brand refresh?
• Target Audience: Who are they speaking to, and what resonates most with that audience?
• Brand Personality: What tone, style, and voice best reflect their brand identity?
• Unique Requirements: Any specific features, functions, or design preferences that need to be factored in.

By guiding clients through this process, we gather critical insights before we even meet. This preparation ensures that the Discovery call is focused, productive, and strategically aligned.

2. The Discovery Call

The Discovery call is where we get into the details, turning insights into actionable plans. During this session, we:

• Address Gaps: Fill in any missing information from the Brand Discovery document.
• Clarify Goals: Ask targeted questions about their audience, messaging, and objectives.
• Explore Content Needs: Identify specific requirements like blog posts, videos, or case studies.
• Discuss Design Preferences: Review examples of websites or brands they admire to better understand their vision.

This call is all about collaboration, ensuring nothing is overlooked. By the end, we have a thorough understanding of the project and are ready to map out the next steps.

Drafting the Initial Sitemap: A Shared Vision

After the Discovery call, we translate all the insights into a sitemap—the visual foundation for the website. Think of the sitemap as the project’s blueprint, showing the structure, content flow, and hierarchy of the site. Here’s how we bring it to life:

• Team Collaboration: Post-Discovery, our team gathers to discuss the project details and insights. Using tools like Relume, we generate a clear and visually appealing sitemap. This platform allows us to input the collected data, such as site structure and key content elements, and then generates a professional sitemap draft.
• Detailed Breakdown: The sitemap outlines the pages (e.g., Homepage, About, Features, Contact) and details each section's purpose, such as headers, content blocks, and call-to-actions. 
• Tool Integration: Once the sitemap is generated, we export it to Figma, where we refine the visuals, add navigational elements (like header and footer menus), and ensure everything aligns with the client’s vision.
• Client Collaboration: The sitemap is more than just a deliverable—it’s a dynamic collaboration tool. Once our team has refined the sitemap internally, we share it with the client for review. To provide clarity, we include a brief Loom video walking them through the sitemap and how it aligns with their project goals. Clients can then leave comments and feedback directly on the Figma file, enabling a seamless back-and-forth process. Typically, we complete revisions within one to two rounds, but we remain flexible, as some projects may require additional iterations to ensure every detail is just right.

Why It Works

The Discovery phase fosters collaboration and builds trust. Clients feel heard and valued, while we gain the clarity needed to design with purpose. It’s a win-win that sets the stage for a smooth and successful project.

Why This Process Matters

Our process isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s designed to deliver results while creating a seamless client experience. Here’s how:

• Clarity from Day One: Clients always know what’s next. With tools like ClickUp, Slack, and Calendly, every step is transparent, organized, and easy to follow.
• Strategic Alignment: Our deep-dive Discovery ensures the website isn’t just visually stunning—it’s purpose-driven, aligning perfectly with the client’s goals and target audience.
• Streamlined Efficiency: By prepping before calls and using a structured onboarding framework, we save time, minimize miscommunication, and keep projects running smoothly.

This approach builds trust, fosters collaboration, and sets a strong foundation for delivering websites that convert.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning. In Part 2, we’ll dive into how we transform everything gathered during Discovery into a cohesive visual identity and brand messaging. This is where the magic happens, and ideas truly start to come to life. In the meantime, take a moment to reflect on your own onboarding and discovery process.

Catch you in the next one!