A structured process that removes uncertainty from every engagement
We follow the same five-stage process on every project. It is designed to ensure we build the right thing, build it properly, and leave you with a system that works long after the engagement ends.
Discovery
Before any design or development work begins, we spend time understanding your business - not just what you want us to build, but why, for whom, and what success looks like when it is done.
This stage involves structured conversations with key stakeholders, a review of your existing systems and tools, an analysis of your target clients, and a clear articulation of the commercial problem we are solving. Most agencies skip this or treat it as a formality. We treat it as the most important stage of the entire engagement.
By the end of Discovery, we have a shared understanding of what we are building, who it is for, and what it needs to achieve. This becomes the foundation that every subsequent decision is measured against.
What happens in this stage
- Stakeholder interviews and business context briefing
- Review of existing digital systems and tools
- Target audience and client journey analysis
- Competitive and market landscape review
- Commercial goal definition and success criteria
- Technical constraints and integration assessment
Typical duration
1 to 2 weeks, depending on project complexity and the number of stakeholders involved.
Strategy
Strategy is where we translate everything we learned in Discovery into a concrete plan. We define the scope, the architecture, the key user journeys, the technical approach, and the metrics we will use to measure performance.
We also produce a detailed project specification document at this stage. This document describes exactly what will be built, how it will work, and what decisions have been made and why. It is your reference point throughout the project and helps prevent scope creep, misaligned expectations, and surprise costs.
No code is written and no visual design begins until the strategy has been signed off. This discipline is what allows our builds to stay on time and on budget.
What happens in this stage
- Project scope definition and feature prioritisation
- System architecture and technical approach
- User journey mapping and information architecture
- Integration strategy and data flow planning
- Detailed project specification document
- Timeline, milestone, and resource planning
Typical duration
1 week for smaller projects. 2 to 3 weeks for complex systems with multiple integrations.
Design
Our design process starts with function, not form. Before considering how something looks, we establish how it needs to work and what it needs to communicate. This is why our interfaces feel purposeful rather than decorative.
We design in Figma, building from wireframes to full high-fidelity mockups with your input at each stage. Every design decision - layout, hierarchy, colour, copy - is made with reference to the strategy and the user journeys we defined in the previous stage.
You review and approve designs before development begins. We work through feedback efficiently, typically requiring no more than two rounds of revisions before sign-off.
What happens in this stage
- Wireframes for all key screens and user journeys
- Design system and component library creation
- High-fidelity UI design in Figma
- Responsive design for mobile and desktop
- Copywriting review and content integration
- Client review and design sign-off
Typical duration
1 to 3 weeks, depending on the number of screens and complexity of the design system required.
Build
Development follows the approved specification and design to the letter. We build in structured sprints with regular progress updates, staging environment access, and defined review points where you can see and interact with the system before it is complete.
We write clean, maintainable code with proper documentation. Everything we build is tested across devices, browsers, and edge cases before it moves to the next stage. Security, performance, and accessibility are built in from the start, not bolted on at the end.
If requirements change during the build - which occasionally happens - we address them transparently through a formal change request process rather than absorbing scope expansion silently.
What happens in this stage
- Sprint-based development with fortnightly reviews
- Staging environment access for client review
- Third-party integrations and API connections
- Security implementation and access controls
- Performance optimisation and caching
- Cross-browser and cross-device testing
Typical duration
3 to 8 weeks for most projects. Larger, multi-system engagements may extend to 12 weeks or more.
Launch & Improve
Launch is a structured, planned event - not a rushed handoff. We manage the deployment to production, handle any required DNS changes or server configuration, and run a final round of testing in the live environment before anything goes public.
We then conduct a handover session with your team, walking through how the system works, how to manage content, and how to interpret your analytics. Every project includes written documentation and a 30-day post-launch support window.
For clients who want ongoing support, our retainer packages provide regular performance reviews, iterative improvements, and continued access to our team as a long-term partner - because the most valuable systems improve over time.
What happens in this stage
- Production deployment and configuration
- Final live environment testing and QA
- Analytics and performance tracking activation
- Team handover session and training
- Full written documentation
- 30-day post-launch support window
After launch
Clients on retainer receive monthly performance reviews, proactive improvements, and priority support from the team that built the system.
Typical Timelines
How long do projects take?
Conversion Website
4 – 6 weeks
Includes strategy, design, and full responsive build
Lead Generation Funnel
3 – 5 weeks
Includes automation and CRM integration setup
Client Portal
6 – 10 weeks
Includes user roles, document management, and messaging
Business Dashboard
6 – 12 weeks
Depends on number of data sources and reporting complexity
All timelines are approximate and discussed in detail during the strategy stage. More complex, multi-system engagements are scoped individually.
Ready to start a project?
The first step is a discovery call. No obligation, no sales pressure - just a direct conversation about your business and whether we are the right fit.
Book a Discovery Call